Paraguay Will Have 12 Official Holidays in 2026, with Possibility of Three Extra Days by Law

The 2026 calendar in Paraguay includes 12 official holidays, including the new National Constitution Day on June 20. Law No. 7,544 allows the Executive Branch to decree up to three additional holidays, which may be used if the Paraguayan national team advances in the 2026 World Cup.

Paraguai terá 12 feriados oficiais em 2026, com possibilidade de três dias extras por lei
Paraguai terá 12 feriados oficiais em 2026, com possibilidade de três dias extras por lei

The year 2026 in Paraguay has 12 official holidays already established, including civic and religious dates. Some are fixed, others may be moved to extend weekends, as occurred with Heroes' Day, celebrated on March 1 but moved to March 2 (Monday), creating the first long weekend of the year.

In addition to the fixed holidays, Law No. 7,544, approved in 2025, authorizes the Executive Branch to institute up to three exceptional rest days per year. These extra holidays may be decreed if the Paraguayan national football team advances in the stages of the 2026 World Cup, which takes place from June 11 to July 19. In 2025, President Santiago Peña already used this prerogative to decree a holiday on September 5, due to the Albirroja's qualification for the World Cup, and also on December 26.

The calendar begins on January 1 (Thursday, fixed holiday). February has no holidays. In March, Heroes' Day was moved to March 2. Holy Week falls on April 2 and 3 (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday). May has holidays on the 1st (Labor Day), 14th and 15th (Independence and Mother's Day). June brings the Chaco Peace holiday on the 12th (Friday) and, for the first time, National Constitution Day on June 20 (Saturday). July has no holidays, but winter break runs from July 13 to 24. August celebrates the Foundation of Asunción on the 15th (Saturday). September has the Battle of Boquerón on the 29th (Tuesday). October and November have no holidays. December brings the Virgin of Caacupé on the 8th (Tuesday) and Christmas on the 25th (Friday).

The extra holidays, if decreed, must occur during the World Cup period, between June and July, depending on the national team's performance. The law also allows the Executive to move movable holidays, such as the Battle of Boquerón, to create more long weekends.