The Colombian government has sanctioned Law 2578 of 2026, designating July 9 as a new national holiday with mandatory paid rest [1].

This legislative change expands the country's calendar of public holidays and recognizes the cultural and religious significance of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá. The new date elevates a regional devotion to a national level, impacting labor schedules and business operations across the territory [1], [2].

The holiday, officially known as the Day of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, honors the municipality of Chiquinquirá in the Boyacá department [3], [4]. It specifically commemorates the 440th anniversary of the miracle involving the renewal of the Virgin's image [4], [5].

With the addition of this date, Colombia now has 19 national holidays in 2026 [2]. The law ensures that workers are entitled to paid leave on this day [1].

There is a distinction regarding when the actual day of rest occurs. While the national feast is July 9 [2], certain interpretations of Law 51 of 1983 suggest that if the date falls on a weekday, the mandatory rest may be shifted to the following Monday [6]. For instance, if July 9 falls on a Thursday, the holiday may be observed on Monday, July 13 [6]. This existing legal framework allows the government to move holidays to create long weekends.

The sanctioning of the law by the Congress of the Republic makes the holiday an annual occurrence starting in 2026 [1], [2]. The move is described as a tribute to both the religious figure and the community that houses the shrine [3], [4].

“Colombia now has 19 national holidays in 2026”

The addition of a 19th national holiday further solidifies Colombia's status as one of the countries with the highest number of public holidays globally. By codifying a religious anniversary into national law, the state reinforces the intersection of Catholic tradition and public policy, while the application of Law 51 of 1983 ensures that the economic impact is managed through the strategic placement of long weekends to encourage domestic tourism.