Panamanian Festivals and Events

January 1: Año Nuevo (New Year's Day)

January 9: Martyrs' Day

March/April: Carnaval Tuesday - This popular festival occurs the four days before Ash Wednesday and therefore the date changes every year. Because most of the country is Catholic, this carvival is very popular and includes costumes, eating, drinking, dancing, and an extravagant parade on Shrove Tuesday. In Panama City, this celebration is huge. Also, it is celebrated in many other towns such as Las Tablas, where inhabitants compete for the best parade floats.

March/April: Semana Santa -Celebrated the week prior to Easter Sunday, this is one of the most colorful and exciting celebrations in all of Latin America. It includes a variety of events, processions, parades, and fun.

May 1: Labor Day

Spetember 22-28: National Tourism Week

September 27: International Tourism Day

November 1: Children's Day

November 2: All Souls Day

November 3: Separation of Panama from Columbia

November 4: Flag Day

November 10: First Cry of Independence from La Villa de los Santos

November 28: Independence from Spain

December 8: Mother's Day

December 24: Christmas Eve Day

December 25: Christmas Day

December 31: New Year's Eve