El Salvador Public Holidays 2025
El Salvador has 8 public holidays and 8 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | observance |
| 16 Jan | Thu | Firma de los Acuerdos de Paz | observance |
| 8 Mar | Sat | Día de la Mujer | observance |
| 17 Apr | Thu | Maundy Thursday | public |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | public |
| 19 Apr | Sat | Easter Saturday | public |
| 20 Apr | Sun | Easter Sunday | observance |
| 1 May | Thu | Labour Day | public |
| 7 May | Wed | Soldier's Day | observance |
| 10 May | Sat | Mother's Day | optional |
| 17 Jun | Tue | Father's Day | observance |
| 22 Jun | Sun | Día del Maestro | optional |
| 6 Aug | Wed | Celebración del Divino Salvador del Mundo | public |
| 15 Sep | Mon | Independence Day | public |
| 2 Nov | Sun | All Souls' Day | public |
| 25 Dec | Thu | Christmas Day | public |
About El Salvador's Holidays
El Salvador mixes national, public, and cultural holidays that mark history, faith, and family. Big national days include Independence and Armed Forces commemorations. These bring parades, government events, and time off for many workers and students.
Religious festivals are central. Holy Week around Easter is the most important time, with processions, carpets on streets, and family gatherings. Christmas and patron saint days blend church services with festive food, music, and community celebrations.
Civic and labor holidays honor workers and national heroes. Many events combine official ceremonies with popular traditions like dances, markets, and special foods. Public holidays often mean businesses close and communities come together to celebrate.
Holiday Traditions
Holidays in El Salvador mix religion, history, and local traditions. Families often visit churches for processions and prayers. People wear bright clothes for festivals and sometimes march in parades with music, drums, and colorful banners.
Food is central to celebrations. Families cook pupusas, tamales, soups, and sweet breads to share. Home smells of spices and warm masa. Eating together is important and shows love between relatives and friends.
Public celebrations fill plazas and streets with music, dancing, and fireworks. Vendors sell snacks and crafts. Communities gather for concerts, markets, and games. The mood is joyful and welcoming, blending old traditions with modern fun.
Travel Tips
El Salvador (sv) gets crowded around the holiday season. Many shops, banks, and government offices close for national and religious holidays. Tourists should expect limited hours on those days and plan basic needs ahead.
Public transport runs but schedules change. Buses and shared taxis fill up more than usual. Long distance routes can be slower because of traffic and parades. Allow extra travel time and choose reliable operators.
Tourist sites, restaurants, and hotels stay open but get busy. Book hotels and tours early. Carry cash because some places close or do not accept cards during holidays.
Pack a copy of your documents and a small first aid kit. Keep phone charged and download maps offline. Be respectful of local customs and celebrations.