Public holidays in the Philippines play an important role in workforce planning, payroll administration, and business operations. Whether you’re an employer managing local teams or an employee planning your time off, understanding the official holiday calendar helps you prepare for staffing, leave requests, and holiday pay obligations.
This guide covers the official list of public holidays in the Philippines for 2026, explains the different types of holidays, highlights long weekends, outlines holiday pay rules, and answers common questions for employers and employees alike.
What You'll Learn
What Are Public Holidays in the Philippines?
Public holidays are government-declared days that recognize important historical, religious, and cultural events across the Republic of the Philippines. Some holidays are designated as non-working days, while others remain special working days, each carrying different implications for businesses and employees.
Understanding how Philippine holidays are classified helps employers plan operations more effectively while ensuring employees know what to expect regarding work schedules and compensation.
What is a public holiday?
A public holiday is a nationally or locally recognized day declared by the Philippine government. These holidays commemorate significant events, honor national heroes, celebrate religious traditions, or recognize important occasions observed throughout the country.
Because the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic nation, many holidays reflect Christian observances such as Holy Week and Christmas. The country also recognizes holidays that are significant to Muslim Filipinos, including celebrations based on the Islamic calendar.
Who declares Philippine holidays?
The official Philippine holidays are announced through Presidential Proclamations issued by the Office of the President. Each year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. publishes the official list of holidays, including regular holidays, special non-working holidays, and any special working day declarations.
Employers should always verify holiday announcements through GOVPH or other official government sources, as movable holidays such as Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha depend on the Islamic calendar and may be confirmed closer to their observance.
Types of Holidays in the Philippines
Not every public holiday follows the same rules. Philippine holidays are divided into several categories, each affecting business operations and holiday pay differently.
Understanding these classifications helps employers administer leave, payroll, and workforce schedules more consistently throughout the year.
Regular holidays
A regular holiday is one of the country’s officially recognized national holidays. These days typically commemorate major historical events, national heroes, or important religious celebrations.
Examples include:
New Year’s Day
Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan)
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Labor Day (May 1)
Independence Day (June 12)
National Heroes Day
Bonifacio Day
Christmas Day
Rizal Day (December 30)
Regular holidays generally have different holiday pay rules from other holiday types.
Special non-working holidays
A special non-working holiday provides employees with a day off while allowing businesses flexibility in determining operations.
Examples may include:
Chinese New Year
Ninoy Aquino Day
All Saints’ Day
Christmas Eve
Last Day of the Year
The government may also declare additional special non-working holidays through Presidential Proclamation when appropriate.
Special working days
A special working day remains an official holiday but does not suspend normal business operations.
Employees generally report to work as scheduled unless company policies state otherwise. Businesses should review official announcements each year because the designation of certain days may change.
Local and regional holidays
In addition to national holidays, provinces and cities may observe local holidays that commemorate regional history, festivals, or significant events.
Examples include celebrations observed in:
Cebu City
Baguio
Iloilo
Palawan
Province of Pampanga
Negros Occidental
Marinduque
Employers operating across multiple locations should monitor both national and local holiday calendars when planning workforce schedules.
Official List of Public Holidays in the Philippines for 2026
The official list of holidays helps employers, HR teams, and employees plan business activities well in advance. While most holiday dates are announced at the beginning of the year, a few remain subject to confirmation through government proclamation.
Below is the official list of Philippine holidays for 2026.
2026 regular holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day | Holiday Type | Observance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 | Thursday | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| Maundy Thursday | April 2, 2026 | Thursday | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| Good Friday | April 3, 2026 | Friday | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) | April 9, 2026 | Thursday | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| Eid'l Fitr* | To Be Announced | TBA | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| Labor Day | May 1, 2026 | Friday | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| Eid'l Adha* | To Be Announced | TBA | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| Independence Day | June 12, 2026 | Friday | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| National Heroes Day | August 31, 2026 | Monday | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| Bonifacio Day | November 30, 2026 | Monday | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2026 | Friday | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
| Rizal Day | December 30, 2026 | Wednesday | Regular Holiday | Nationwide |
*The official dates for Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha are announced separately by Presidential Proclamation based on the Islamic calendar.
2026 special non-working holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day | Holiday Type | Observance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese New Year | February 17, 2026 | Tuesday | Special Non-Working Holiday | Nationwide |
| Black Saturday | April 4, 2026 | Saturday | Special Non-Working Holiday | Nationwide |
| Ninoy Aquino Day | August 21, 2026 | Friday | Special Non-Working Holiday | Nationwide |
| All Saints' Day | November 1, 2026 | Sunday | Special Non-Working Holiday | Nationwide |
| All Souls' Day | November 2, 2026 | Monday | Additional Special Non-Working Holiday | Nationwide |
| Feast of the Immaculate Conception | December 8, 2026 | Tuesday | Special Non-Working Holiday | Nationwide |
| Christmas Eve | December 24, 2026 | Thursday | Additional Special Non-Working Holiday | Nationwide |
| Last Day of the Year | December 31, 2026 | Thursday | Special Non-Working Holiday | Nationwide |
2026 special working days
| Holiday | Date | Day | Holiday Type | Observance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary | February 25, 2026 | Wednesday | Special Working Day | Nationwide |
If the Philippine government declares a special working day during 2026, employers should follow the official proclamation when administering payroll and work schedules.
Holidays that may change
Certain Philippine holidays are not assigned fixed calendar dates because they are based on the lunar or Islamic calendar.
These include:
Eid’l Fitr
Eid’l Adha
Employers should monitor GOVPH announcements to confirm the official observance dates before finalizing work schedules and payroll.
Upcoming Holidays in the Philippines
Keeping track of upcoming holidays allows businesses to prepare staffing schedules, communicate with customers, and process payroll accurately. Employees also benefit from knowing when the next public holiday falls so they can plan leave and travel.
Reviewing upcoming holidays regularly helps avoid last-minute scheduling changes.
Next upcoming holidays
A practical reference table may include:
| Holiday | Date | Day | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upcoming Holiday | Date | Day | Regular Holiday / Special Non-Working Holiday |
| Upcoming Holiday | Date | Day | Regular Holiday / Special Non-Working Holiday |
This section can be updated throughout the year to remain useful for returning readers.
Long Weekends in the Philippines for 2026
Long weekends provide opportunities for travel, family time, and business planning. For employers, they also require advance scheduling to maintain service levels while accommodating employee leave requests.
Planning around long weekends helps organizations balance operational needs with employee wellbeing.
Complete list of 2026 long weekends
Insert responsive table containing:
Long weekend dates
Number of days
Holiday creating the long weekend
Suggested leave day (where applicable)
Best long weekends for travel
Several holidays during [currrent_year] are expected to create three-day or four-day weekends, particularly when public holidays fall adjacent to weekends.
Employees often use these periods for domestic travel, while employers may experience higher leave requests around:
Holy Week
Labor Day
Independence Day
National Heroes Day
Christmas
Planning annual leave around holidays
Businesses can reduce operational disruption by encouraging employees to submit leave requests early.
Planning ahead allows employers to:
Maintain adequate staffing
Balance workloads
Coordinate shift coverage
Reduce scheduling conflicts during peak travel periods
Holiday Pay Rules in the Philippines
Holiday pay is one of the most common payroll questions employers receive. Understanding the general rules helps businesses administer payroll correctly while ensuring employees receive the compensation they are entitled to under Philippine labor regulations.
Because pay rules differ depending on the type of holiday, employers should always confirm the applicable requirements before processing payroll.
Who qualifies for holiday pay?
Holiday pay generally applies to employees covered by Philippine labor regulations, although eligibility depends on employment status and the applicable rules.
Businesses should review employee classifications and company policies to determine entitlement.
Holiday pay for regular holidays
When an employee works on a regular holiday, different compensation rules generally apply than on ordinary working days.
If an employee does not work on a regular holiday, eligibility for holiday pay depends on the applicable legal requirements and employment circumstances.
Holiday pay for special non-working holidays
Holiday pay for a special non-working holiday follows different rules from a regular holiday.
Whether an employee works or does not work on a special non-working holiday may affect the compensation they receive.
Holiday pay for special working days
A special working day is treated differently from both regular holidays and special non-working holidays.
Employers should review the applicable pay rules whenever the government designates a special working holiday.
Holiday pay for remote employees
Employees working remotely are generally subject to the same holiday rules as other employees, provided their employment is governed by Philippine labor regulations.
Companies with distributed teams should ensure payroll processes account for holiday schedules and applicable employment arrangements.
Note: Detailed wage computations, overtime calculations, and premium pay formulas are covered in our dedicated guide on Minimum Wage in the Philippines.
Leave Policy and Public Holidays
Public holidays often influence annual leave planning, particularly during long weekends and peak travel periods. Establishing a clear leave policy helps employers manage employee requests fairly while maintaining business continuity.
Well-communicated leave procedures also reduce scheduling conflicts and improve workforce planning.
Can annual leave be taken next to public holidays?
Yes. Many employees combine paid leave with public holidays to create longer breaks.
Employers should establish approval procedures that balance employee flexibility with operational requirements.
What happens if a holiday falls during approved leave?
If a public holiday occurs during an approved leave period, employers should apply company policies and applicable legal requirements when determining how that day is treated.
Clear internal guidelines help ensure consistent administration.
Sick leave during public holidays
Employees who become ill during holiday periods should follow normal company reporting procedures.
Businesses should outline documentation requirements and notification timelines within their leave policy.
Company shutdowns during holiday periods
Some organizations temporarily close during extended holiday periods, particularly around Christmas and New Year.
When planning shutdowns, employers should communicate schedules well in advance and explain how leave, payroll, and working arrangements will be managed.
Managing leave requests around long weekends
Long weekends often generate a high volume of leave requests.
To ensure fairness, employers should:
Encourage early leave applications.
Apply approval criteria consistently.
Maintain sufficient staffing levels.
Communicate scheduling decisions promptly.
Review workforce needs before approving extended absences.
A well-defined leave policy helps businesses manage holidays efficiently while providing employees with greater clarity and consistency.
Public Holiday Planning for Employers
Public holidays affect much more than employee schedules. They influence staffing levels, payroll processing, customer support, production timelines, and business continuity. Planning ahead helps employers reduce disruption while ensuring employees understand holiday expectations.
Whether managing a local workforce or distributed teams across multiple countries, having a structured holiday strategy makes operations more predictable throughout the year.
Workforce scheduling
Holiday periods often increase leave requests and reduce employee availability.
To maintain business continuity, employers should:
Review the official list of holidays early in the year.
Forecast staffing requirements around each national holiday.
Plan shift rotations for essential roles.
Arrange backup coverage where necessary.
Coordinate schedules across departments.
Preparing early is especially important around busy periods such as Holy Week and the Christmas season.
Payroll planning
Public holidays can affect payroll processing timelines, particularly when payment dates coincide with non-working days.
Employers should:
Review payroll calendars well in advance.
Verify holiday classifications before processing payroll.
Schedule payroll approvals ahead of extended long weekends.
Coordinate with payroll providers to avoid payment delays.
Communicate any revised payroll dates to employees.
Good planning helps ensure employees receive their salaries on time while reducing administrative pressure.
Business continuity
Organizations serving customers across different time zones should prepare for reduced staffing during Philippine holidays.
Business continuity planning may include:
Adjusting project timelines.
Scheduling critical work before holiday periods.
Maintaining emergency support coverage.
Automating routine business processes where possible.
Informing clients of holiday operating hours.
These measures help minimize service disruptions while supporting employee time off.
Managing international teams
Global organizations often manage employees across multiple countries with different public holiday calendars.
Managers should coordinate Philippine holidays with regional business priorities to avoid scheduling conflicts, particularly when collaborating with international teams that follow different observance calendars.
Using a shared global holiday calendar improves planning and helps managers allocate resources more effectively.
Communicating holiday schedules
Clear communication helps prevent confusion before holiday periods begin.
Consider sharing:
The annual holiday calendar.
Company operating hours.
Payroll processing dates.
Leave application deadlines.
Customer support availability.
Emergency contact procedures.
Regular communication ensures employees and managers have the information they need to plan ahead.
Ready to Plan for Public Holidays in the Philippines?
Public holidays play an important role in workforce planning, payroll administration, and day-to-day business operations. By understanding the different holiday classifications, monitoring official government announcements, and preparing well in advance, businesses can remain compliant while minimizing operational disruption throughout the year.
Some of the most important points to remember include:
Review the official list of Philippine holidays each year and monitor GOVPH for updated proclamations.
Understand the difference between a regular holiday, a special non-working holiday, and a special working day.
Plan staffing, payroll, and customer support around long weekends and major national holidays.
Develop a clear leave policy to manage employee requests fairly during peak holiday periods.
Remember that some holidays, including Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha, are based on the lunar calendar and are confirmed through official proclamation.
Consider both national and local holidays when managing teams across different locations in the Republic of the Philippines.
Communicate holiday schedules early so employees, managers, and customers can plan accordingly.
Managing public holidays is just one part of running a compliant global workforce. At Empleyo, we help businesses simplify international expansion through Employer of Record (EOR) services, global payroll, HR administration, and workforce mobility solutions. Whether you’re growing your team in the Philippines or expanding into new markets, visit the Empleyo homepage or contact us to learn how we can support your global hiring strategy with confidence.
