The Colombian government has approved a new national holiday to commemorate the Virgin of Chiquinquirá [1].
This addition expands the country's official calendar of rest days and recognizes the Virgin of Chiquinquirá as the patroness of Colombia [2]. The move is intended to honor religious tradition while providing citizens with additional time for leisure and family.
The new holiday will be observed across the entire national territory [1]. According to some reports, the sanctioned law sets the holiday for Monday, July 13, 2026 [2]. However, other reports indicate the date will be Monday, July 18, 2026 [3].
This discrepancy in reporting suggests a lack of consensus on the exact date, though both proposed dates fall in July. The government's decision to incorporate this date into the official schedule increases the total number of national holidays in 2026 to 19 [1].
Public holidays in Colombia often create "puentes," or long weekends, which typically stimulate domestic tourism and local commerce. The addition of a holiday in July provides another such opportunity for the population during the middle of the year.
The legislative process involved both the Colombian Congress and the Presidency to sanction the law [2]. By making the commemoration of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá a national event, the state formally integrates this religious observance into the civil calendar for all citizens regardless of region.
“The Colombian government has approved a new national holiday to commemorate the Virgin of Chiquinquirá.”
The establishment of an additional national holiday reflects the continuing influence of Catholic tradition on Colombian public policy. By increasing the total count of holidays to 19, the government likely aims to boost the domestic economy through increased internal travel and tourism, while simultaneously reinforcing national identity through the recognition of the country's patroness.
