Understanding official national public holidays in Venezuela is essential for effective planning, whether you’re scheduling business operations, coordinating work commitments, or arranging personal travel. Throughout 2026, Venezuela observes 16 confirmed nationwide holidays that affect businesses, government offices, and daily routines across the country. This comprehensive guide focuses exclusively on official national public holidays recognized throughout Venezuela, excluding regional or observance-only dates to provide clarity for your planning needs.
Official National Public Holidays in Venezuela 2026
The following table presents all confirmed nationwide public holidays for Venezuela in 2026. These dates are regulated by Article 185 of the national Labour Code and represent non-working days observed across the entire country. Consequently, most businesses, government offices, and banks will be closed on these dates.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| February 16 | Monday | Carnival Monday |
| February 17 | Tuesday | Carnival Tuesday |
| April 2 | Thursday | Maundy Thursday |
| April 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| April 19 | Sunday | Declaration of Independence |
| May 1 | Friday | Labor Day |
| May 15 | Friday | Venezuelan Family Day |
| June 24 | Wednesday | Battle of Carabobo |
| July 5 | Sunday | Independence Day |
| July 24 | Friday | Simón Bolívar’s Birthday |
| October 12 | Monday | Day of Indigenous Resistance |
| November 1 | Sunday | All Saints Day |
| December 24 | Thursday | Christmas Eve |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| December 31 | Thursday | New Year’s Eve |
Planning Tips for Venezuela’s 2026 Holidays
Strategic planning around public holidays can significantly enhance your work-life balance and travel experiences. Venezuela’s 2026 holiday calendar presents several opportunities for extended breaks. For instance, the Carnival holidays on February 16-17 create a natural four-day weekend when combined with the preceding weekend. Similarly, the consecutive holidays on Thursday-Friday (April 2-3 for Easter) provide another extended break opportunity.
Meanwhile, holidays falling on Fridays—such as May 1, May 15, and July 24—naturally create three-day weekends perfect for short trips or family gatherings. On the other hand, holidays occurring on Sundays like April 19, July 5, and November 1 might offer substitute days off in some workplaces, though this varies by employer. However, it’s important to note that the year-end holidays from December 24-25 falling on Thursday-Friday, followed by December 31 the following Thursday, create prime vacation planning windows.
When scheduling important business meetings, medical appointments, or travel arrangements, always verify whether your specific service providers will be operating on or around these holidays. Check the current local times around the world to coordinate international meetings effectively, especially during holiday periods when time zone differences become more significant.
Understanding Venezuela’s Holiday System
Venezuela’s national holiday system reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage and historical significance. The holidays encompass patriotic commemorations, such as Independence Day and the Battle of Carabobo, religious observances rooted in the country’s Catholic traditions, and cultural celebrations like Carnival. National holidays apply uniformly across all states and territories, ensuring consistent observance throughout the nation.
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the Venezuelan government retains authority to declare additional non-working holidays at its discretion, as stipulated in the national Labour Code. This means occasional adjustments or additions may occur throughout the year. Furthermore, while this guide focuses on nationwide holidays, individual states and municipalities may observe additional regional celebrations that don’t appear on the national calendar.
For time-sensitive planning, consider using timer tools to track countdowns to upcoming holidays or important deadlines. These tools can help you stay organized when coordinating projects around Venezuela’s holiday schedule, ensuring you allocate adequate time for tasks before offices close for extended periods.
Work and Business Considerations
During national public holidays, most government offices, banks, and many private businesses cease operations. Essential services like hospitals, emergency services, and some transportation continue functioning, though often with reduced staffing levels. Retail establishments and restaurants in tourist areas may remain open, particularly during major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Employers should note that workers required to work on official public holidays are typically entitled to premium pay according to Venezuelan labor regulations. Therefore, businesses should plan staffing and operations accordingly, especially during consecutive holiday periods that create extended closures. International companies operating in Venezuela must account for these holidays when scheduling global meetings or coordinating cross-border projects.
For comprehensive planning resources and additional guidance on managing schedules around holidays, visit our planning guides section, where you’ll find detailed articles on time management, international coordination, and productivity strategies that complement your holiday planning efforts.
Key Takeaways
Venezuela observes 16 official national public holidays in 2026, distributed throughout the year with particular concentration during religious periods and patriotic commemorations. These holidays represent confirmed non-working days applicable nationwide, excluding regional or bank-only holidays. Smart planning around these dates—especially consecutive holidays and Friday observances—can maximize your vacation time and minimize work disruptions.
Remember that holiday dates, particularly for religious observances, are determined annually based on liturgical calendars. While the dates provided here are accurate based on current information, occasional last-minute changes can occur due to government decisions or calendar adjustments. Always verify critical dates closer to your planned activities, especially for important business transactions or travel arrangements.
Internal Links and Resources
For additional planning resources, explore our main public holidays page for comprehensive international holiday calendars. When scheduling events or coordinating across time zones, our tools help ensure accuracy and efficiency in your planning process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which holidays are recognized nationwide in Venezuela 2026?
Venezuela recognizes 16 official national public holidays in 2026. These include New Year’s Day (January 1), Carnival Monday and Tuesday (February 16-17), Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (April 2-3), Declaration of Independence (April 19), Labor Day (May 1), Venezuelan Family Day (May 15), Battle of Carabobo (June 24), Independence Day (July 5), Simón Bolívar’s Birthday (July 24), Day of Indigenous Resistance (October 12), All Saints Day (November 1), Christmas Eve (December 24), Christmas Day (December 25), and New Year’s Eve (December 31). All these holidays are observed uniformly across the entire country.
Which holidays create long weekends in 2026?
Several holidays in 2026 create excellent long weekend opportunities. The Carnival holidays on Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17, combined with the preceding weekend, create a four-day break. Easter holidays (April 2-3) falling on Thursday-Friday provide another four-day weekend. Additionally, May 1, May 15, and July 24 all fall on Fridays, naturally creating three-day weekends. The year-end period offers extended break possibilities with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on Thursday-Friday (December 24-25), and New Year’s Eve on Thursday (December 31).
Are any holidays subject to change in Venezuela?
While the holidays listed are officially confirmed for 2026, the Venezuelan government maintains the authority to declare additional non-working holidays or adjust dates throughout the year under Article 185 of the national Labour Code. Religious holidays tied to the liturgical calendar, such as Easter-related observances, are calculated annually and remain stable once announced. However, it’s always prudent to verify dates closer to major events, especially for important business activities or travel plans, as last-minute government declarations or adjustments can occasionally occur.
Do businesses close on all public holidays in Venezuela?
Most government offices, banks, and many private businesses close on official national public holidays. Essential services including hospitals, emergency services, police, and some public transportation continue operating, though often with reduced staff. Retail stores, restaurants, and tourist-oriented businesses in major cities and tourist areas frequently remain open during holidays, particularly during Christmas, New Year’s, and Carnival periods. International businesses and some service industries may maintain limited operations depending on their specific operational requirements.
How do Sunday holidays affect the work week in Venezuela?
When a public holiday falls on Sunday, as occurs with Declaration of Independence (April 19), Independence Day (July 5), and All Saints Day (November 1) in 2026, the observance practices vary by employer. Some organizations provide a substitute day off, typically the following Monday, while others treat the Sunday as the official holiday without additional compensation. Venezuelan labor law does not mandate automatic substitute days for Sunday holidays, so practices differ among public sector, private companies, and various industries. Employees should verify their specific workplace policies regarding Sunday holiday observances.