(The Panama Gringo) Here is a list of the National public holidays (Días Feriados) in Panama in 2014:
| 3 March (Mon) | Carnival (first day) | National |
|---|---|---|
| 4 March (Tue) | Carnival Tuesday | National |
| 5 March (Wed) | Ash Wednesday | National |
| 17 April (Thu) | Bank Holiday (from 13:00) | National |
| 18 April (Fri) | Good Friday | National |
| 1 May (Thu) | Labor Day | National |
| 15 August (Fri) | Regional holiday | National |
| 3 November (Mon) | Independence from Colombia Day | National |
| 4 November (Tue) | Flag Day | National |
| 5 November (Wed) | Colón Patriotic Day (Colón only) | National |
| 10 November (Mon) | First cry for independence | National |
| 1 December (Mon) | Inauguration Day | National |
| 8 December (Mon) | Mothers’ Day | National |
| 24 December (Wed) | Christmas Eve (1/2 day) | National |
| 25 December (Thu) | Christmas Day | National |
| 31 December (Wed) | New Year’s Eve (half day) | National |
In Panama, if a national holiday falls on a Sunday it is automatically moved to Monday to create a long weekend. While not all businesses will close for national holidays, banks and government offices always close.
Many businesses do close for Jewish holidays, however since they are not national holidays no warning may be given that a business will be closed.
Living in Latin America I feel like we go from one holiday to the next. December is spent as if the entire month is a holiday that runs over into Dia de Los Reyes in January and then before I can blink Carnaval is upon us.
To you enjoy all the holidays in Panama? What is your favorite Panamanian celebration?