Rachel Evans
Colombia is a predominantly Catholic country that observes 18 public holidays (or festivos in Spanish), 12 of which are religious observances. The country is tied with the Philippines for the second-highest number of public holidays worldwide, surpassed only by India. Colombia's Catholic holidays include Good Friday, All Saints' Day, and the Feast of the Three Kings, among others. These religious observances are deeply ingrained in Colombia's culture and history, with each holiday carrying significant meaning for the country's Catholic population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of public holidays | 18 |
| Number of Catholic holidays | 12 |
| Number of Civic holidays | 6 |
| Holidays celebrated only in Barranquilla | Monday of Carnival, Tuesday of Carnival |
| Holiday to celebrate independence | Battle of Boyacá |
| Holiday to celebrate Virgin Mary's assumption into heaven | La Asunción |
| Holiday to recognize cultural diversity and the encounter between European explorers and indigenous peoples | Día de la Raza |
| Holiday to honor all saints, both known and unknown | Día de los Santos |
| Holiday to commemorate Cartagena's independence from Spanish colonial rule | Independencia de Cartagena |
| Holiday to celebrate the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin | La Inmaculada Concepción |
| Official celebration of the birth of Jesus | Navidad |
| Holiday to celebrate St. Joseph embodying faith, love, and family | March 23rd |
| Holiday when people go to church and it is frowned upon to work | Good Thursday |
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What You'll Learn
Colombia has 12 Catholic holidays
Colombia has 18 public holidays in total, 12 of which are Catholic holidays. This is because Colombia is a predominantly Catholic country. These Catholic holidays are also referred to as "festivos" in Spanish.
The 12 Catholic holidays in Colombia are as follows:
- Año Nuevo (New Year's Day) on January 1st
- Día de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany or Three Kings' Day) on January 6th
- Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, which is a religious holiday that commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday.
- Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is an important celebration in Colombia.
- All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallow's Day, Hallowmas, the Feast of All Saints, or Solemnity of All Saints, is a commemoration day for all Christian saints, known and unknown. It is considered a holy day of obligation in Roman Catholicism, where Catholics are expected to attend mass.
- La Asunción (Assumption Day) on August 15th, which celebrates the Virgin Mary's assumption into heaven.
- Día de la Raza (Columbus Day) on October 12th, which recognizes cultural diversity and the encounter between European explorers and indigenous peoples.
- Independencia de Cartagena (Independence of Cartagena) on November 11th, commemorating Cartagena's independence from Spanish colonial rule.
- La Inmaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception) on December 8th, celebrating the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin.
- Navidad (Christmas Day) on December 25th, commemorating the birth of Jesus.
- Corpus Christi, a day where Catholics declare their faith to Jesus Christ.
- A holiday on June 29th commemorating two well-known martyrs in the Catholic faith, Peter and Paul.
In addition to these 12 Catholic holidays, Colombia also has 6 Civic holidays, plus Palm and Easter Sunday. The city of Barranquilla has two extra holidays, celebrating the Monday and Tuesday of Carnival.
The frequency and abundance of holidays in Colombia contribute to the country's festive spirit and cultural richness.
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Good Friday is a Catholic public holiday
Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, is a Catholic public holiday in Colombia. It is a religious holiday commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. The holiday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday, with the date changing annually based on the lunar calendar.
In Roman Catholic tradition, Good Friday is a day of fasting, with individuals consuming only one full meal and abstaining from meat. It is a solemn day marked by the liturgy of Adoration of the Cross, and it is the only day in the year when mass is not celebrated. The altar is left bare, without flowers or palms, and the Gloria is not sung. The images and cross are also not displayed, symbolising the silence of the world before Jesus' death.
Good Friday holds significant religious and cultural importance in Colombia. Many people take the entire Holy Week off, and schools and universities are closed. Businesses and banks may also be closed during this period. Across Colombia, cities, towns, families, and individuals observe Holy Week in various ways, with some unique traditions and beliefs.
In coastal towns, fishermen refrain from going out to sea on Good Friday, and people avoid bathing in rivers for fear of death. On the Atlantic coast, people anticipate hearing a rooster crow at noon as a sign of good luck. Some individuals choose to fast or refrain from eating beef or pork as a sacrificial offering. In some towns, castor flowers are collected as a symbol of impending trials, believing that passing this test will bring good luck for life.
Good Friday is one of 12 Catholic public holidays in Colombia, along with other significant days such as All Saints' Day and Sacred Heart Day. These religious holidays play an essential role in the country's culture and traditions, providing opportunities for travel, celebration, and the observance of Catholic faith and heritage.
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All Saints' Day is a holy day of obligation
Colombia has 12 Catholic holidays, plus Palm and Easter Sunday. All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallow's Day, Hallowmas, the Feast of All Saints, or Solemnity of All Saints, is one of these Catholic holidays. It is a commemoration day for all Christian saints, known and unknown. It is also a day when people in Colombia light candles and pray for their deceased family members. The holiday also commemorates when Cartagena became the first Colombian city to declare independence from Spain.
All Saints' Day is considered a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church. This means that Catholics are expected to attend Mass, unless they are prevented from doing so by illness or other valid reasons. In such cases, they are not considered to have committed a sin.
In Colombia, All Saints' Day is marked by parades, with the most notable one taking place in Cartagena. This parade ends at Plaza Trinidad, where Cartagena's independence was originally declared.
In addition to All Saints' Day, Good Friday, or Holy Friday, is another important Catholic holiday in Colombia. This day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ and is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. During Holy Week, many people in Colombia take the entire week off, and many businesses and schools are closed.
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St. Joseph's Day is celebrated as Man's Day
Colombia has 12 Catholic holidays, plus Palm and Easter Sunday. St. Joseph's Day, or the Feast of Saint Joseph, is one of the Catholic holidays celebrated in Colombia. It is the principal feast day of Saint Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary, and the legal father of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on the 19th of March and has the rank of a solemnity in the Catholic Church.
St. Joseph's Day is also celebrated as Father's Day in some Catholic countries, including Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Italy, and others. This is due to Joseph's role as the patron saint of fathers and families, as well as his status as a working carpenter. The altar for St. Joseph's Day is decorated elaborately with figurines, medals, and votive candles, divided into three tiers representing the Trinity, with a statue of Joseph at the head. Traditionally, the tables are dressed with food, including bread, cakes, and cookies, which is then donated to the poor.
In addition to the religious significance, St. Joseph's Day is also a celebration of men, specifically their roles as fathers and providers. This is reflected in the various customs and traditions associated with the day, such as the donation of food to the poor, which represents Joseph's role as a carpenter and a working man. The celebration of St. Joseph's Day as Father's Day further emphasizes the importance of men and their contributions to their families and communities.
In Colombia, with its rich Catholic traditions and cultural diversity, St. Joseph's Day takes on a unique significance. While it is not explicitly called "Man's Day," the celebration honours the virtues of hard work, dedication, and family values that are often associated with masculinity and manhood. The day serves as a reminder of the important role that men play in society, particularly in the context of family and community life.
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Assumption Day celebrates the Virgin Mary
Assumption Day, also known as the Feast of the Assumption, celebrates the Virgin Mary's ascension to Heaven. It is observed on 15 August by Catholics and many other Christians, including Eastern Orthodox and Anglicans. The date is marked by religious parades, popular festivals, and firework displays in many places around the world. In some countries, Assumption Day is a public holiday, though this varies by region.
The Feast of the Assumption celebrates the Virgin Mary's bodily ascent to Heaven at the end of her life. It is an important feast day that recalls the spiritual and physical departure of the mother of Jesus Christ from the earth, when her soul and body were received by God. This belief is seen by some Christians as a symbol of the promise made by Jesus that enduring Christians will be received into paradise.
The Assumption is also known as the "Fleur-de-lys Madonna" and is an important symbol for many Christians, especially Catholics and Orthodox Christians. The celebration was introduced by Bishop Cyril of Alexandria in the 5th century and placed on 15 August. The date coincides with Emperor Augustus's celebrations of victory over Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra in the month of August, which took its name from him.
In Colombia, there are 12 Catholic public holidays, including All Saints' Day and Good Friday. Assumption Day is not listed as a public holiday in Colombia, but it is still celebrated by the country's Catholic population.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 12 Catholic holidays in Colombia.
Some Catholic holidays in Colombia include All Saints' Day, Día de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany), and La Asunción (Assumption Day).
Yes, Colombia has 18 public holidays, including the 12 Catholic holidays. Many people take the entire week of Holy Week off, and banks and other businesses will be closed.
Colombia has some unique traditions for its Catholic holidays. For example, on All Saints' Day, people light candles to pray for their deceased family members. On Good Friday, many Colombians treat the day as a fast day, abstaining from meat.
