There are not many countries in South America where history, traditions and national identity are so visible in daily life as in Paraguay. Holidays show very clearly what matters to the country. Depending on the day, it may be about history and national memory, such as the Chaco, deep religious roots like the Virgen de Caacupé on December 8, family time on Mother’s Day or during Semana Santa, or the joy of traditional festivals like San Juan. In Paraguay, a holiday is not just a random day off. It is a living piece of culture that connects young and old.
At the same time, these days have a strong effect on daily life in Paraguay. They can change the rhythm of banks, public offices and shops completely. If you do not pay attention, you may quickly stand in front of a closed door or wonder why the roads are full of long traffic jams.
This practical holiday calendar for Paraguay 2026 shows you not only when public holidays take place, but also includes selected cultural, religious, historical and commemorative days that are visible in everyday life without being nationwide days off. This helps you plan your daily life in 2026 better, including the new Constitution holiday on June 20.
Quick facts: What matters in 2026
- There are 13 public holidays, if Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, as well as May 14 and 15, are counted as separate days.
- 4 holidays are movable: March 1, June 12, June 20 and September 29 can be moved to create long weekends.
- New in 2026: June 20 is a public holiday for the first time (Jura de la Constitución Nacional).
Terms you should know about public holidays in Paraguay#
Legal basis: Ley 7544/2025 lists Paraguay’s official national public holidays. From 2026, this also includes June 20, the Jura de la Constitución Nacional. The law also regulates which public holidays are movable, when additional public holidays may be declared, and how asuetos differ from them.
Feriado nacional (National public holiday)#
A feriado nacional applies nationwide and is generally a statutory day of rest. Public offices, banks and schools are usually closed; many private businesses also remain closed or operate with limited hours.
Ley 7544/2025 also allows the government (Poder Ejecutivo) to declare up to three additional national public holidays per year by decree – for example, for special occasions or to promote tourism and the economy. These additional days have the same legal effects as the other feriados nacionales.
Asueto (Time off for specific sectors)#
An asueto is not an additional national public holiday. Under Ley 7544/2025, the government may grant employees of the central public administration and decentralized state institutions time off by decree, either for a few hours or for an entire day.
Legally, an asueto continues to count as a regular working day (día hábil) and does not automatically have the same effects on the private sector or other areas as a feriado nacional. Local asuetos may also be declared, so you should always check exactly who is covered by the respective regulation.
Example: Encarnación declared March 25, 2026, an asueto distrital (municipally ordered day off). Banks, industry, businesses, as well as public and private institutions were invited to participate, while essential municipal services continued to operate.
Which services continue during Feriados and Asuetos
Certain public services do not stop during statutory public holidays or declared asuetos. Ley 7544/2025 specifically mentions medical emergency services and special service schedules, essential public services, as well as areas related to foreign trade and tax collection.
Feriado inamovible / movible (Fixed / Movable)#
- Feriado inamovible: Remains on the legally established calendar date and cannot be moved to another day under Ley 7544/2025.
- Feriado movible: May be moved by decree by the government to the Monday before or after the original date. Without such a decree, the public holiday remains on its original date.
In 2026, the following four public holidays are movable:
- March 1: Día de los Héroes
- June 12: Paz del Chaco
- June 20: Jura de la Constitución Nacional
- September 29: Batalla de Boquerón
Feriado puente (Long holiday weekend)#
Feriado puente is not a separate category of public holiday under Ley 7544/2025. It is a commonly used term for a long weekend that may arise, for example, when a feriado movible is moved. An additional asueto can also extend a period of time off, but this does not turn it into a feriado nacional.
Holiday calendar for Paraguay 2026 by month#
What this overview helps you with in daily life
For life in Paraguay, it is not only important to know when a day is free. It is also important to know how the day affects daily life, such as meaning, opening hours or travel traffic.
For the most important days, you will find a direct link to our matching detailed article with more background and practical planning tips.
Good to know: We update and expand this guide and the related articles regularly.
Jump to month#
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
January#
January 1: Año Nuevo#
New Year’s Day is one of the quietest days of the year. Many families already celebrate together on the evening of December 31, often with food, music and visits.
Daily life & effects: Public offices and banks are closed. Supermarkets and gas stations often work with strongly reduced opening hours or stay closed. Do your shopping before December 31.
February#
February 2: Virgen de la Candelaria#
A religious remembrance day that is mainly celebrated in towns with the matching patron saint.
Daily life & effects: Not a national public holiday. But regionally there can be processions, road closures or local Asuetos.
February 3: San Blas#
San Blas is the patron saint of Paraguay. The day is especially festive in Ciudad del Este.
Daily life & effects: Nationwide, it is a normal working day. In strongholds like Ciudad del Este, local Asuetos and festival programs can slow down public life.
February 14: Día de los Enamorados#
Valentine’s Day is very visible in Paraguay’s shops, restaurants and social media.
Daily life & effects: Normal working day. Restaurants and delivery services are often very busy in the evening, so early reservation is recommended.
Related:
February 24: Día de la Mujer Paraguaya#
Remembers the historic role of women in rebuilding the country after the Great War.
Daily life & effects: Not a public holiday, but highly respected in society. Schools and institutions often include the topic in formal events.
February 28: Día Nacional del Tereré#
A day to honor Paraguay’s national drink and an important cultural good. Herbs, a thermos, a guampa and shared breaks are a fixed part of daily life in Paraguay.
Daily life & effects: Normal working day. Across the country, there are special offers at markets and cultural events. Media and communities often talk about the topic.
March#
March 1: Día de los Héroes#
A remembrance day for the fallen heroes of the War of the Triple Alliance.
Because March 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday, the day off was moved by Decree 5508 to Monday, March 2, 2026.
Daily life & effects: Public holiday. Because of the long weekend, there is strong travel traffic on the Rutas. Popular day-trip spots can be fuller.
Related:
April#
April 2: Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday)#
Start of the Easter holidays. Holy Week in Paraguay (Semana Santa) is not only a religious time. It is also family time, main travel time and a very quiet week for many businesses.
Daily life & effects: Public holiday. A large part of the population travels to family in the countryside (Interior). Many businesses already work with limited hours from Wednesday noon.
How to plan around Semana Santa
Do your shopping, bank errands and important public-office visits by Tuesday before Easter at the latest. From Wednesday on, public life in Paraguay becomes much slower in many places.
April 3: Viernes Santo (Good Friday)#
The quietest and most respected day of the year, with religious processions.
Daily life & effects: Public holiday. Many shops and supermarkets stay closed or open only with limits. Loud music or a very busy mood can feel out of place on this day, especially in the Interior. Many families spend the day quietly, go to church or take part in Stations of the Cross.
Related:
May#
May 1: Día de los Trabajadores#
Labor Day falls on a Friday in 2026 and creates a long weekend.
Daily life & effects: Public holiday. Public offices, banks and companies are closed. Larger supermarket chains may open with reduced hours, while smaller shops often stay closed.
May 14 and 15: Independence Day & Mother’s Day#
Double holiday: Paraguay celebrates its independence from 1811 and Mother’s Day at the same time. In 2026, the days fall on Thursday and Friday, creating a four-day long weekend.
Daily life & effects: The country celebrates with local school parades, official ceremonies, flags in the national colors and private family gatherings. On May 15, Mother’s Day is also in the center. It has a very high value in Paraguay.
Related:
June#
June 12: Paz del Chaco#
Remembers the peace agreement after the Chaco War with Bolivia. In 2026, it falls on a Friday and creates a long weekend.
Daily life & effects: Public holiday. Schools, public offices and banks are closed (long weekend).
Related:
June 20: Jura de la Constitución Nacional#
Remembrance day for the formal oath to the 1992 Constitution. In 2026, June 20 falls on a Saturday. But the day is moved by Decree 6.215 to Monday, June 22, 2026.
Daily life & effects: Since this is a new public holiday, public offices, banks and schools are closed on Monday.
June 24: San Juan Ára#
The Saint John festival is one of the liveliest traditional festivals. The actual day is June 24, but in many places people celebrate all month long (Fiestas de San Juan) with traditional games (juegos tradicionales) and typical foods (comidas típicas).
Since Resolution No. 370/2026 of June 23, 2026, the Fiesta de San Juan – San Juan Ára and its associated cultural expressions have been recognized as national intangible cultural heritage.
Daily life & effects: Not a public holiday. Daily life continues normally, but evenings and weekends are shaped by neighborhood, church and school festivals (Fiestas de San Juan).
Related:
July#
July 30: Día de la Amistad#
Friendship Day has a much higher value in Paraguay than in many European countries.
Daily life & effects: Normal working day. Groups of friends and coworkers traditionally organize the gift game “Amigo Invisible.” Bars and restaurants are usually very busy in the evening.
August#
August 14: Día Nacional de la Chipa#
Día Nacional de la Chipa is observed every year on the second Friday in August. In 2026, National Chipa Day falls on Friday, August 14.
Daily life & effects: Not a public holiday. Shops, schools, and public offices generally operate normally. Depending on the location, there may be Chipa-Apo events, tastings, or cultural activities.
August 15: Fundación de Asunción#
Remembrance of the founding of the capital city Asunción in 1537. The capital has an important place in history because many developments in the region started from here.
Falls on a Saturday in 2026.
Daily life & effects: Public holiday. In Asunción, many cultural programs take place. Outside the capital, the day is usually much quieter.
Related:
September#
September 21: Día de la Primavera y de la Juventud#
On September 21, Paraguay celebrates spring and youth. The day is legally established by Law No. 4882 as Día de la Juventud y de la Primavera, but it is not a nationwide public holiday. Depending on the location, celebrations may include school events, music, sports, parades, flower festivals, or public events.
Daily life & effects: Normal working day. Shops, public offices, and banks are generally open. Schools and universities may hold their own celebrations or follow adjusted schedules. Larger events may also take place on the weekend around September 21.
September 29: Día de la Batalla de Boquerón#
Remembers the historic Battle of Boquerón and is an important remembrance day connected to the Chaco War.
In 2026, September 29 falls on a Tuesday. However, under Decree No. 6601, the public holiday was moved forward to Monday, September 28, 2026. This creates a long weekend from Saturday through Monday.
Daily life & effects: Public holiday. Public offices, banks and schools will be closed on Monday, September 28. The long weekend is also likely to bring heavier traffic on major routes and more visitors to popular day-trip destinations.
Related:
October#
October 12: Día de la Proclamación del Paraguay como República#
On October 12, Paraguay commemorates its proclamation as a republic. The legally established commemorative day refers to the Reglamento de Gobierno adopted by Congress on October 12, 1813.
Everyday life & impact: It is not a statutory public holiday and is therefore generally a normal working day. Government offices, banks, schools, and shops operate as usual. Individual asuetos or institutional arrangements apply only to the areas explicitly covered by them.
November#
November 1: Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day)#
All Saints’ Day commemorates the saints of the Catholic Church. The day has religious significance in Paraguay but is not a statutory public holiday.
Everyday life & impact: It is a normal working day. Depending on the community or parish, church services and other religious activities may take place.
November 2: Día de los Difuntos (All Souls’ Day)#
On Día de los Difuntos, families remember relatives and loved ones who have died. Many visit cemeteries, clean and decorate graves, and spend time remembering family members.
Everyday life & impact: It is not a statutory public holiday. Traffic and visitor numbers around cemeteries can increase noticeably, while everyday public life otherwise continues as normal.
December#
December 8: Virgen de Caacupé#
The biggest religious festival of the country. Every year, many pilgrims make their way to the basilica in Caacupé. It falls on a Tuesday in 2026.
Daily life & effects: Public holiday. From December 7, there are often heavy traffic jams, large detours and pilgrim flows on Ruta PY02. If you are not going to Caacupé yourself, avoid this route if possible or plan much more time.
December 25: Navidad (Christmas)#
Christmas Eve (December 24) is celebrated late in the evening with the family. Depending on the family, the shared meal includes classics such as asado, Sopa Paraguaya, or pan dulce. A well-chilled Clericó is also typical around Christmas and New Year. December 25 is the public holiday and falls on a Friday in 2026.
Daily life & effects: On December 24, supermarkets and shops close around noon or in the early afternoon. On December 25, public life is completely quiet.
Checklist: How to handle holidays in Paraguay with less stress#
🗹 Check holiday moves: For movable holidays (Feriados movibles), check local media in advance, such as ABC Color, Última Hora or radio stations, to see if a long weekend was announced.
🗹 Plan for public offices and banks on holidays: Do not handle important errands right before or after Semana Santa, and plan more buffer time around Caacupé in early December.
🗹 Plan shopping before holidays: Buy food for Good Friday, New Year’s Day and December 25 in time. A solid basic food stock at home can save you from closed doors.
🗹 Adjust route planning: Avoid the main roads, especially Ruta PY02, shortly before long weekends and around December 8.
🗹 Plan for worker breaks: Do not plan construction projects or deliveries directly during holiday weeks. Delays are common during these times.
Frequently asked questions about holidays in Paraguay#
What happens when a public holiday in Paraguay falls on a weekend?
Where can I find out about sudden or moved holidays?
What is the difference between public holidays and commemorative days in Paraguay?
How do supermarkets work on holidays in Paraguay?
What applies to public offices and banks on public holidays in Paraguay?
Are schools in Paraguay closed on all public holidays and Asuetos?
Which holidays can create a long weekend in 2026?
A long weekend in 2026 happens either when a holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, or when a movable holiday is officially moved.
Especially relevant are Semana Santa on April 2 and 3, May 1, May 14 and 15, June 12, June 20, September 29 and Christmas on December 25. For movable holidays, check shortly before the date whether there is an official decree.
When should I expect traffic jams and travel waves around holidays?
Conclusion#
Holidays and remembrance days in Paraguay are a good way to understand the country’s culture, historical pride and strong family values better. Especially for expats and newcomers, they show how strongly holidays and remembrance days shape daily life in Paraguay.
If you know the dates and possible holiday moves for 2026, you can avoid typical “nothing works today” moments and plan public-office visits, shopping and trips with less stress.
If you would also like to understand why many of these holidays and remembrance days are so important in Paraguay, beyond the dates themselves, our overview of the history of Paraguay provides the historical context.
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