In Panama, Labor Day (Día del Trabajo) in 2026 falls on Friday, May 1st, as it always commemorates the first day of May and is a national holiday, a common date for worker's day celebrations globally. 

In Panama, National Symbols Day (Día de los Símbolos Patrios) in 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 4th, a day to honor the national flag, anthem, and coat of arms, and is part of Panama's "Fiestas Patrias" (Patriotic Holidays) month. The holiday celebrates the country's core identity through its flag, anthem, and coat of arms, reflecting history, culture, and unity.

Traditions include patriotic displays, community events, and educational activities in schools and public spaces, as it's a significant observance within Panama's festive November holiday period. 

Halloween 2026 falls on a Saturday, October 31st, continuing a tradition rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, marking the harvest's end and the blurry boundary between living and dead, leading to bonfires, costumes to ward off spirits, and later blended with Christian holidays like All Saints' Day (All Hallows' Eve) and traditions like "souling," eventually evolving into the Americanized, community-focused holiday we know today with trick-or-treating and costumes. 

With the support of the U.S. government, Panama issues a declaration of independence from Colombia. The revolution was engineered by a Panamanian faction backed by the Panama Canal Company, a French-U.S. corporation that hoped to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans with a waterway across the Isthmus of Panama. In 1903, the Hay-Herrán Treaty was signed with Colombia.

In Panama, the holiday related to the events in the city of Colón is called Colón Day (Día de Colón), and in 2026 it will be celebrated on Thursday, November 5. This date commemorates the consolidation of Panama's separation from Colombia in 1903, rather than Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas. As a national public holiday, celebrations in Panama often involve parades, concerts, and fireworks. 

The "Grito de La Villa de Los Santos" (Nov 10, 1821) was the initial spark and local declaration of freedom from Spain by residents of a small town, acting before the capital it was an uprising by patriots in Villa de Los Santos (Azuero Peninsula) against Spanish rule, considered the first cry or starting point. this represented a local declaration of separation from Spain, inspired by wider independence movements and local grievances. This was significant in that it galvanized other towns and created momentum, leading to the formal independence. 

The First Cry of Independence will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, as it is a fixed annual national holiday with festivities featuring vibrant parades, cultural events, and folkloric presentations in La Villa de Los Santos, but the entire country celebrates where you can expect large parades with students, musical bands, traditional dancers, and official ceremonies. The main celebrations occur in La Villa de Los Santos.

November is a key month for public holidays in Panama, with Independence day being the fifth holiday in the month. Though home to indigenous tribes, Panama came under Spanish control with the arrival of settlers in the 16th century. From 1538 until 1821 Panama was governed as part of the Viceroyalty of Peru.

Celebrations across the country will include firework displays and parades, especially in the capital, Panama City. Note that November is the wettest season in Panama, so if you go to watch the parades, think about taking an umbrella!

Mother's Day in Panama in 2026 falls on Tuesday, December 8th, which is a national public holiday, coinciding with the Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a day filled with church services, family gatherings, special meals, and festive celebrations for mothers and mother figures. 

On Mother’s Day at Guanico Beach Resort we celebrate with a special chef inspired meal designed for mom and her favorite guests that is a popular event that we have enjoyed sharing with guests each year. The meal includes three courses including dessert and glasses of champaign for all the adults! We recommend making your reservations early by clicking here as we tend to get booked up some time before the event.

Christmas in Panama in 2026, like other years, will feature Christmas Day on Friday, December 25th, with festive traditions including Las Posadas processions (Dec 16-24) reenacting Mary and Joseph's journey, plus community events, family gatherings, and a blend of religious observance with vibrant culture, often extending into January with celebrations like Coronación de la Reina del Carnaval (Carnival Queen Coronation) leading to the big Carnival festivities. Expect beautiful weather in December, making it a popular time for festivities before the peak dry season starts. 

Christmas at Guanico Beach Resort offers a laid-back, surf-focused holiday with personalized experiences like surf lessons, fishing trips, beach bonfires, gourmet pizza, and local cocktails, emphasizing adventure and natural beauty rather than large, structured events.