Philippine National Holidays for 2026

Every year, the Republic of the Philippines designates a set of national holidays to commemorate historical events, cultural traditions, and religious observances. These holidays impact work schedules, payroll, travel, family activities, and business planning. For 2026, the national holiday calendar was officially released under Proclamation No. 1006, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on September 3, 2025, and published to guide both public and private sectors nationwide.

National holidays fall into different categories — regular holidays, special (non‑working) days, and special working days — each with distinct legal implications under Philippine labor law. Additionally, Islamic holidays such as Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha will be announced later once the official dates are determined by the Muslim community and government authorities.

Understanding the official list and its classifications is key for employees, employers, HR professionals, and anyone planning work, leave, or travel in 2026.

What Are Regular Holidays?

Regular holidays are nationwide holidays mandated by law or official proclamation. These observances reflect important national milestones, historical events, or cultural traditions. Under Philippine labor law, employees are generally entitled to pay for regular holidays even if they do not work, with additional pay if they do work.

According to Proclamation No. 1006, the following dates are declared as regular holidays in 2026:

Regular Holidays for 2026

January 1 (Thursday): New Year’s Day – A nationwide celebration welcoming the start of the calendar year.

April 2 (Thursday): Maundy Thursday – A significant day during Holy Week commemorating the Last Supper in Christian tradition.

April 3 (Friday): Good Friday – Observes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is part of one of the most widely observed religious periods in the Philippines.

April 9 (Thursday): Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) – Honors Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II.

May 1 (Friday): Labor Day – Recognizes the contributions of workers nationwide.

June 12 (Friday): Independence Day – Commemorates the Philippine declaration of independence from Spain in 1898.

August 31 (Monday): National Heroes Day – Celebrates the collective heroism of Filipinos across history.

November 30 (Monday): Bonifacio Day – Marks the birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, one of the Philippines’ key revolutionary leaders.

December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day – A major cultural and religious holiday observed nationwide.

December 30 (Wednesday): Rizal Day – Commemorates the execution anniversary of Dr. José Rizal, national hero and polymath.

Regular holidays typically require employers to pay employees even if they do not report for work, and those who work are entitled to premium pay rates under the Labor Code.

What Are Special (Non‑Working) Days?

Special (non‑working) days are occasions where work is generally suspended but the pay rules differ from regular holidays. Unless otherwise stated in company policy, “no work, no pay” usually applies on these days. However, if an employee works, employers may be required to pay a premium.

For 2026, the official special (non‑working) days are:

Special (Non‑Working) Days 2026

February 17 (Tuesday): Chinese New Year – Celebrates the Lunar New Year and cultural heritage.

April 4 (Saturday): Black Saturday – Part of Holy Week, following Good Friday.

August 21 (Friday): Ninoy Aquino Day – Honors the assassination anniversary of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

November 1 (Sunday): All Saints’ Day – A time of remembrance for loved ones who have passed away.

November 2 (Monday): All Souls’ Day – Continues the tradition of honoring departed relatives.

December 8 (Tuesday): Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary – A religious feast day significant to Filipino Catholics.

December 24 (Thursday): Christmas Eve – Observed widely with family gatherings and preparations for Christmas.

December 31 (Thursday): Last Day of the Year – Marks the final day of the year, often celebrated with festivities and reflection.

These special non‑working days allow people to observe important cultural, religious, and historical moments. Employers may pay premiums to employees who work on these days depending on company policy and applicable labor rules

Special Working Days: Commemorating Without a Break

A special working day is an observance for historical or civic significance where work and regular pay continue as usual, with no special holiday premiums required.

For 2026, the designated special working day is:

• February 25 (Wednesday): EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary — Recognizes the anniversary of the peaceful 1986 uprising that restored democracy in the Philippines.

Because this is classified as a special working day, employees are expected to work unless company policy says otherwise, and they receive no additional pay premiums beyond their regular wage.

Holiday Pay Rules in the Philippines (2026)

Understanding holiday pay is essential for both employees and employers to ensure compliance with labor laws and avoid payroll errors. Philippine holiday pay rules vary depending on the type of holiday.

Regular Holidays

On a regular holiday:

• If an employee does not work, they are entitled to 100% of their daily wage even if they do not report for duty.
• If an employee works, they are entitled to at least 200% of their regular daily wage for the first eight hours worked.
• Additional premiums may apply if the employee works beyond eight hours or if the holiday falls on their scheduled rest day.

These rules are grounded in the Labor Code of the Philippines and the Omnibus Rules Implementing the Labor Code, which mandate holiday pay entitlements to protect workers’ income and ensure participation in national celebrations.

Special (Non‑Working) Days

For special non‑working days:

• The principle of “no work, no pay” usually applies unless there is a favorable company policy or collective bargaining agreement in place.
• If an employee does work on a special non‑working day, they may be entitled to at least 130% of their daily wage for the first eight hours worked.

Unlike regular holidays, being absent on these days typically does not automatically entitle an employee to pay, although internal company policies can provide additional benefits

Special Working Days

On special working days such as the EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary (Feb 25, 2026):

• Employees are generally paid their regular daily wage with no mandatory holiday pay premiums.
• “No work, no pay” applies unless company policy provides otherwise.

This classification means the day proceeds like a typical business day in terms of payroll.