Bolivia Public Holidays 2025
Bolivia has 11 public holidays and 11 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | public |
| 22 Jan | Wed | Plurinational State Foundation Day | public |
| 2 Feb | Sun | Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria | observance |
| 3 Mar | Mon | Shrove Monday | public |
| 4 Mar | Tue | Shrove Tuesday | public |
| 19 Mar | Wed | Father's Day | observance |
| 23 Mar | Sun | Day of the Sea | observance |
| 12 Apr | Sat | Children's Day | observance |
| 17 Apr | Thu | Maundy Thursday | observance |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | public |
| 1 May | Thu | Labour Day | public |
| 27 May | Tue | Mother's Day | observance |
| 6 Jun | Fri | Teacher's Day | observance |
| 19 Jun | Thu | Corpus Christi | public |
| 21 Jun | Sat | Andean Amazonian Chaqueño New Year | public |
| 6 Aug | Wed | Independence Day | public |
| 17 Aug | Sun | Flag Day | observance |
| 21 Sep | Sun | Student's Day | observance |
| 11 Oct | Sat | Bolivian Woman's Day | observance |
| 1 Nov | Sat | All Saints' Day | observance |
| 2 Nov | Sun | All Souls' Day | public |
| 25 Dec | Thu | Christmas Day | public |
About Bolivia's Holidays
Bolivia mixes national, public, and cultural holidays that blend Spanish colonial and indigenous Aymara and Quechua traditions. Important national days mark independence and state events, while many public holidays follow the Catholic calendar like Holy Week and All Saints Day.
Cultural festivals are lively and colourful. The Oruro Carnival is world famous for music and dances and is a UNESCO heritage event. Indigenous ceremonies like the Aymara New Year celebrate the sun and the agricultural cycle. Local town saints days and harvest festivals also bring parades, costumes, food, and family gatherings.
Banks and government offices close for major public holidays. Many dates move each year because they follow religious or indigenous lunar and solar calendars, so people plan travel and work around them.
Holiday Traditions
In Bolivia people celebrate holidays with music, dance, and bright costumes. Many events mix indigenous and Spanish traditions, so you will see colorful parades, masks, and rituals that honor ancestors and nature. Celebrations are lively and full of community spirit.
Food is important. Families cook special dishes like roasted meats, soups, and sweet breads. People share meals at home and bring food to community feasts. Sharing food shows respect and brings everyone together across generations.
Public celebrations fill plazas and streets. Municipal bands, folkloric groups, and carnival dancers perform. Markets and churches bustle. Holidays are times for family, prayer, gratitude, and joyful public gatherings that keep culture alive.
Travel Tips
Holiday season in Bolivia means many public offices, banks, and some shops close or have short hours. Supermarkets and restaurants may open less or offer special hours. Plan for limited services on big holiday days.
Transportation gets busy. Long distance buses and domestic flights fill up fast, so book early. City buses and trains may run reduced schedules on important holidays. Expect delays and possible longer waits for taxis and rideshares.
Tourist sites and markets become crowded around major celebrations. Hotels and hostels fill quickly. Popular routes between cities see extra traffic and standing passengers on buses.
Tips: reserve transport and lodging ahead. Carry cash because some ATMs and card machines may be offline. Check local holiday dates and be flexible with timing. Respect local customs and opening hours.