Public holidays in the Philippines

Public holidays in the Philippines
Observed by	Filipinos
Type	Regular, special non-working, local
Celebrations	Various

Public holidays in the Philippines are of two types: regular holidays and special non-working days.

History

On July 25, 1987, President Corazon Aquino promulgated the Administrative Code of the Philippines. Chapter 7 of this code specified a list of ten nationwide regular holidays and two nationwide special days and provided that the President may proclaim any local special day for a particular date, group or place. Seven of the regular holidays were specified with fixed dates, two with movable dates, and one was specified to fall on the last Sunday in August. The code did not specify how the movable dates were to be determined

In 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo decided to include holiday manipulation, also known as Holiday Economics as part of the then-new government's list of principal economic policies, moving the celebration dates for holidays occurring on midweek days to weekend days. This was codified by Republic Act. No. 9492, approved on July 25, 2007, which replaced the list of holidays and special days. This act had been specified by the Administrative Code with a new list of eleven national holidays and three nationwide special days. The act also provided that Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The act specified two of the holidays and one special day with fixed dates, five of the holidays and two special days as occurring on a Monday nearest to or preceding specified dates, and two of the holidays as having movable dates. The act mandated that the President shall issue a proclamation for specifying the specific date movable holidays at least six months prior to the holiday concerned. The act specified that holidays falling on a Wednesday will be observed on the Monday of that week, that holidays falling on a Sunday will be observed on the Monday that follows, and provided that regular holidays and special days may be modified by order or proclamation.

Presidential Proclamations issued subsequent to the promulgation of Republic Act No. 9492 established celebration dates for national holidays and special days, and established new holidays and special days, some nationwide and some local to specified localities.

Holiday types

A graphic from the Office of the President of the Philippines showing the difference in pay between the two types of holidays.

The Labor Code of the Philippines specifies two types of holidays: the "regular holiday" and the "special non-working day". There is a difference in the pay that employers are required to pay between the two type of holidays. There is also a difference in what is closed and in how the days are declared.

Type	Pay if...
	Did not work (including rest days)	Did work
Regular	100% of daily wage	200% of daily wage
Special (Non-working)	100% of daily wage	130% of daily wage

On top of these pay rules, an employee shall be given an additional 30% if the holiday falls on their rest day, and an additional 30% if they work overtime.

On a regular holiday, if the employee did not work, they are entitled 100% of their daily wage. However, a special non-working day usually follows a 'No Work, No Pay' principle. Therefore, the employee is not entitled to any compensation if they did not work that day. If the employee works on the special non-working day, they shall be entitled to an additional compensation of 30% of the regular daily wage.

Former holidays

Independence Day was formerly celebrated on July 4—the date of the Philippine independence from the United States in 1946, a date chosen because it was also American Independence Day. On May 12, 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Presidential Proclamation No. 28, which declared Tuesday, June 12 a special public holiday throughout the Philippines, "... in commemoration of our people's declaration of their inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence." On August 4, 1964, Republic Act No. 4166 renamed July 4 holiday as "Philippine Republic Day", proclaimed June 12 as "Philippine Independence Day", and enjoined all citizens of the Philippines to observe the latter with befitting rites.

In 1955, President Ramón Magsaysay issued Presidential Proclamation No. 212, s. 1955, which established the observance of Philippine–American Day every November 15, which was the anniversary of the 1935 inauguration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Sometime during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Philippine–American Day was renamed "Philippine–American Friendship Day" and moved to July 4, overshadowing the observance of the date as Republic Day. After the Third Republic and the abolition of the 1935 Constitution under Martial Law, it was impolitic to remind the public of the old republic. This is why, when President Marcos issued Presidential Proclamation No. 2346 s. 1984, reference was made to Philippine–American Friendship Day, which was relegated to a working holiday without mention of Republic Day.

During the administration of President Corazon C. Aquino, the practice of celebrating July 4 as both Philippine–American Friendship Day and Republic Day as a non-working holiday was formally abolished. Section 26 of the Administrative Code of 1987 specified a list of regular holidays and nationwide special days that did not include July 4.

Nationwide observance

Originally, there were only regular and special holidays. On February 26, 2021, former President Rodrigo Duterte announced the certain special holidays as special working holidays in 2021 under Proclamation No. 1107. This new measure is intended to boost productivity and economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On October 13, 2023, President Bongbong Marcos announced that February 25 will no longer be a holiday in 2024 under Proclamation No. 368. The Malacañang stated that the event has "minimum socioeconomic impact" as it falls on a Sunday.

Non-working holidays

Regular non-working holidays

Date	English name	Filipino name	Transferability	Type	Description	Law
January 1	New Year's Day	Araw ng Bagong Taon	Fixed	Regular	Celebrates the first day of the year in Gregorian calendar.	Act No. 345
February 9 (2024) (observance) February 10 (2024) (actual date)	Chinese New Year	Bagong Taon ng mga Tsino	Movable	Special	Also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year.	None
February 25 (2024)	EDSA Revolution Anniversary	Anibersaryo ng Rebolusyon sa EDSA	Fixed	Special	Anniversary of the end of the 1986 People Power Revolution.	Proclamation No. 167 [1] Dropped from the list through Proclamation No. 368, series of 2023 on October 11, 2023
March 28 (2024)	Maundy Thursday	Huwebes Santo	Movable	Regular	Part of the Triduum of Holy Week and includes the Mass of the Lord's Supper (the Last Supper).	Act No. 345
March 30 (2024)	Good Friday	Biyernes Santo	Movable	Regular	Commemorates the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Processions, passion plays, the recitation of the Pasyon, and various religious services are among the customs practiced on this day.	Act No. 345
March 30 (2024)	Black Saturday	Sabado de Gloria	Movable	Special	Part of the Easter Triduum and Holy Week. Commemorates Christ's Descent into Hell as his body lay in the Holy Sepulchre.	None
April 9 (2024)	Day of Valor	Araw ng Kagitingan	Fixed	Regular	Commemorates the Fall of Bataan during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, and by extension, the courage of Filipino and American soldiers throughout the Second World War.	R.A. No. 3022
May 1	Labor Day	Araw ng Paggawa	Fixed	Regular	Anniversary of the May 1, 1903 rally by the Unión Obrera Democrática Filipina. Held in conjunction with the International Workers' Day.	Act No. 2711
April 10 (2024)	Eid'l Fitr	Eidul Fitr / Araw ng Ramadan	Movable	Regular	The Islamic celebration of the official end of the fasting month of Ramadan.	R.A. No. 9177
June 12	Independence Day	Araw ng Kalayaan	Fixed	Regular	Anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898. From 1947 to 1964, Independence Day was celebrated on July 4 (see below). Traditionally, until 2019 and since 2025, it marked the start of the school year and formerly the university academic year (until the move to August in 2015-17). The holiday marked the end of the school year for students of basic academic institutions from 2020 to 2024 and today serves as the end of the university and college academic year.	R.A. No. 4166
June 17 (2024)	Eid'l Adha	Eidul Adha / Araw ng Kurban	Movable	Regular	Feast at the end of the hajj when Muslims sacrifice a goat, sheep, cow or a camel to be sent to the poor as a donation. The hajj is when Muslims go on required pilgrimage to Mecca.	R.A. No. 9849
August 23 (2024)	Ninoy Aquino Day	Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Ninoy Aquino	Fixed	Special	Anniversary of Assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1983. Public acts of remembrance are held to honor the memory of one of the nation's democracy fighters and defacto leader of the opposition for much of the 70s. Since 2016 it has been either the last holiday before most higher educational institutions (eg. universities) begin their academic year or marks as the beginning of their academic semesters.	R.A. No. 9256 Adjusted from August 21 by virtue of Proclamation No. 665, series of 2024.
August 26 (2024)	National Heroes Day	Araw ng mga Bayani	Movable	Regular	Anniversary of the 1896 Cry of Pugad Lawin by the Katipunan which began the Philippine Revolution and commemorates all the nation's heroes. Held on the last Monday of August. Marked as the final holiday before the beginning of the primary and secondary school academic year from 2021-23.	Act No. 3827
November 1	All Saints' Day	Undás; Todos los Santos; Araw ng mga Santo	Fixed	Special	Filipinos observe this day by visiting family graves, repairing and cleaning tombs, and offering prayers, flowers, food, and candles. Many return to their native provinces for this, making it an occasion for reunions with extended family.	E.O. No. 292
November 2	All Souls Day	Araw ng mga Kaluluwa	Fixed	Special	Traditions held on this day are similar to those of All Saints' Day.	None
November 30	Bonifacio Day	Araw ng Kapanganakan ni Andrés Bonifacio	Fixed	Regular	Birth anniversary of Andrés Bonifacio, de facto national hero. Bonifacio is remembered on his birthday, rather than the date of his death (May 10, 1897), because he was executed by the Filipino revolutionary government and not by colonial powers. Often confused with National Heroes' Day.	Act No. 2946
December 8	Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary	Kapistahan ng Kalinís-linisang Paglilihî ng Mahál na Birheng María	Fixed	Special	Catholic solemnity marking the pure and sinless conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, honored as mother and Principal Patroness of the Philippines since 1942.	R.A. No. 10966
December 24	Christmas Eve	Bisperas ng Pasko	Fixed	Special working	Marks the eve of Christmas. Filipinos generally hold the Nochebuena meal at midnight.	None
December 25	Christmas Day	Araw ng Pasko	Fixed	Regular	Birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, main figure of Christianity.	Act No. 345
December 30	Rizal Day	Paggunita sa Kamatayan ni Dr. Jose Rizal	Fixed	Regular	Death anniversary of the Execution of Jose Rizal, considered by mainstream Filipinos as the de facto national hero.	Act No. 345 Republic Act No. 229
December 31	New Year's Eve	Bisperas ng Bagong Taon (Last Day of the Year/Eve of the new Year)	Fixed	Special working	This holiday, which marks the conclusion of the civil year, is between two regular holidays, Rizal Day, and New Year's Day. This holiday is a special non-working day every December 31.	E.O. No. 292

Working holidays

Date	English name	Filipino name	Transferability	Description
Fixed holidays
January 23	First Philippine Republic Day	Araw ng Unang Republika ng Pilipinas	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2019. Celebrates the establishment of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899, at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.
January 25	Day of National Remembrance	Araw ng Pambansang Pag-alala	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2018. Celebrates the heroism of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who were killed in an encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.
January 29	National Police Anniversary Day	Araw ng Pagkakatatag ng Pambansang Pulisya	Fixed	A working holiday celebrated since 1992 marking the 1991 formation of the Philippine National Police and honoring the service of the thousands of men and women in the law enforcement profession. The PNP was formally raised in 1991 as a result of the enactment of Republic Act No. 6975, which created the service on the basis of both the Philippine Constabulary and the Integrated National Police.
February 2	Constitution Day	Araw ng Saligang Batas	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2002. Celebrates the ratification of the current 1987 Constitution.
February 4	Philippine–American War Memorial Day	Araw ng Paggunita sa Digmaang Pilipino–Amerikano	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2020. Honoring the millions of Filipinos who fought and died as a result of the war against the occupation forces of the United States that began on February 4, 1899, and ended in 1902.
March 8	National Women's Day	Pambansang Araw ng Kababaihan	Fixed	A working holiday that celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, celebrated in conjunction with International Women's Day.
March 23	Philippine Army Day and anniversary of the Tejeros Convention	Araw ng Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas	Fixed	A working holiday that celebrates the 1897 foundation of the Philippine Army as a result of the decisions made in the historic Tejeros Convention. Also marks the birthday of Emilio Aguinaldo, the founding president of the Philippines.
April 27	Lapu-Lapu Day	Araw ni Lapu-Lapu	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2019. Celebrates the victory of Lapu-Lapu and his men over the Spaniards, led by Ferdinand Magellan, during the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521.
May 8	Radio Day	Araw ng Radyo sa Pilipinas	Fixed	Working holiday marking the 1933 sign-on of DZRB-AM Radio Pilipinas 1, the oldest radio station in the Philippines in operation.
May 20	Philippine Navy Day	Araw ng Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas	Fixed	A working holiday that celebrates the 1898 foundation of the Philippine Navy.
May 28	Flag Day	Araw ng Pambansang Watawat	Fixed	Celebration of the patriotic victory in the 1898 Battle of Alapan, the first time the national flag was unfurled in public. Independence Day celebrations begin on this day, lasting until June 12.
June 19	José Rizal's birthday	Araw ng Kapanganakan ni José Rizal	Fixed	First declared in 1961 by President Carlos P. García in honor of the birth centenary of José Rizal. Monday, June 20, 2011, was declared a special non-working holiday by President Benigno Aquino III for Rizal's 150th birth anniversary as requested by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. On November 9, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signs Republic Act No. 11144, that declaring June 19, as a special non working holiday in Laguna every year.
June 30	Spanish-Filipino Friendship Day	Araw ng Pagkakaibigang Pilipino-Espanyol	Fixed	Honors both the 30 Spanish soldiers who surrendered in the Siege of Baler of 1898–99, considered the "last ones of the Philippines" (Los últimos de Filipinas), and the cultural, religious and social ties of Spain and the Philippines and their peoples
July 1	Philippine Air Force Day	Araw ng Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas	Fixed	A working holiday that celebrates the enactment of Executive Order No. 94 in 1947 that caused the formation of the Philippine Air Force as a separate service branch of the Armed Forces, on the basis of the former Philippine Army Air Corps of the Army.
July 4	Republic Day Philippine-American Friendship Day	Araw ng Republika Araw ng Pagkakaibigang Pilipino-Amerikano	Fixed	Former national non-working holiday and today a working and cultural holiday celebrating the 1946 Treaty of Manila that restored Philippine independence thru recognition by the United States, and also celebrating the historical, economic, cultural, political, religious and social ties between the Philippines and the United States and the peoples of these two nations.
July 25	National Campus Press Freedom Day	Pambansang Araw ng Malayang Pamamahayag sa Kampus	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2020. This holiday aims to promote, protect, and safeguard the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression, speech and of the press in the Philippines especially in school campuses.
July 27	Iglesia ni Cristo Day	Araw ng Iglesia ni Cristo	Fixed	In 2009, July 27 was designated by a Republic Act as a yearly special national working holiday to honor the foundation of the Iglesia ni Cristo in 1914. This day was declared as a special non-working day in the year 2014 to commemorate the church's 100th Anniversary.
August 12	National Police Service Day and anniversary of the formation of the Philippine Constabulary	Araw ng Pambansang Serbisyong Pangpulisya	Fixed	A working holiday celebrating all the men and women of the Philippine National Police and all its predecessor services in appreciation and gratitude for service to the community. This also marks the anniversary of the 1901 formation of the Philippine Constabulary under future United States president and Governor-General of the Philippines William Howard Taft.
August 18	Jesse Robredo Day	Araw ni Jesse Robredo	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2016. Celebrates the internationally recognized former mayor of Naga City Jesse Robredo who died while serving as Aquino's local government secretary on August 18, 2012.
August 25	National Tech-Voc Day	Pambansang Araw ng Edukasyong Teknolohikal-Bokasyonal	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2018. This holiday aims to promote technical and vocational education and training in the Philippines.
August 30	National Press Freedom Day	Pambansang Araw ng Kalayaan sa Pamamahayag	Fixed	A working holiday which will be first observed in 2022. This holiday aims to promote, protect, and safeguard the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression, speech and of the press in the Philippines and also in honor of Marcelo H. del Pilar, father of Philippine journalism.
September 1	Official first day and beginning of the Philippine Christmas season	Unang araw at pagsisimula ng panahon ng Kapaskuhan sa Pilipinas	Fixed	Working and cultural holiday that officially marks the beginning of the Philippine Christmas season, the longest holiday season in the world. Since the late 1980s, the 1st day of September is generally marked as the day that the Christmas season officially begins in the country, for on this day radio stations finally transition to playing Christmas music and shopping malls begin playing holiday themed music as well.
September 3	Surrender of General Tomoyuki Yamashita Day (Victory over Japan Day)	Araw ng Pagsuko ni Heneral Tomoyuki Yamashita Araw ng Tagumpay laban sa Hapon	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2019. Celebrates the surrender of Japanese Army General Tomoyuki Yamashita in Baguio at the conclusion of hostilities of the Second World War on September 3, 1945.
September 8	Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary	Pagdiriwang ng Kapanganakan ng Mahal na Birheng Maria	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2019. Celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is instituted by virtue of Republic Act No. 11370.
September 21	Anniversary of the formal declaration of Martial law in the Philippines	Anibersaryo ng pagsisimula ng Batas Militar sa Republika ng Pilipinas	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2017, marking the day in 1972 when Martial Law was proclaimed nationwide. Normally it is also a school holiday in some years as there are no classes in several cities. Remembrance ceremonies are held to honor the thousands who perished in one of the darkest chapters in Philippine history, while student rallies are held in memory of the student leaders involved in pro-democracy actions during this period.
October 17	Philippine Coast Guard Day	Araw ng Tanod Baybabin ng Pilipinas	Fixed	Working holiday marking the 1901 establishment of the Philippine Coast Guard, one of the oldest coast guard organizations in Southeast Asia.
October 23	Television Day	Araw ng Telebisyong Pilipino	Fixed	Working holiday marking the 1953 first television broadcasts in San Juan City, that placed the country on the television map.
October 24	United Nations Day and observance of the foundation anniversary of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines	Araw ng mga Nagkakaisang Bansa at anibersaryo ng Kapatirang Scout ng Pilipinas	Fixed	Working and school holiday marking the 1945 establishment of the United Nations, in which the Philippines is a charter member. Schools hold Halloween parties coupled with students wearing costumes from UN member countries on this day, which unofficially marks the start of the semestral break for elementary and high schools, as well as members of both of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Girl Scouts of the Philippines wearing uniforms to mark the termination of a month of celebrations of the Scouting Month, which ends on October 31, which is a schools holiday (the BSP was established on this day in 1936).
October 31	Reformation Day, Halloween	Araw ng Reformasyon, Gabi ng Pangangaluwa	Fixed	Working and religious holiday held both in honor of the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day and in commemoration of the Protestant Reformation, the latter marked by most Protestants in the country. For most businesses, October 31 is de facto a unofficial bank holiday save for banks and other financial institutions that do operate on this day, given that on this day most employees of public and private sector enterprises take a day off.
November 17	National Students' Day	Pambansang Araw ng mga Mag-aaral	Fixed	A working holiday which was first observed in 2019. Celebrates the recognition and contribution of student activism to Philippine democracy.
November 20	National Children's Day	Pambansang Araw ng mga Bata	Fixed	A working holiday celebrating the rights and importance of every Filipino child as the core of the nation's future, as well as the 1989 adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
December 10	Human Rights Day	Araw ng Karapatang Pantao	Fixed	A working holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948.
December 21	Armed Forces Day	Araw ng Hukbong Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas	Fixed	Working holiday marking the official formation in 1935 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, marked by parades around the country. School and university Christmas parties are held before the date as this holiday marks the start of/or forms part of the Christmas holiday break for many educational institutions.
Movable date holidays
Last Monday of January	National Bible Day	Pambansang Araw ng Bibliya	Movable	A working holiday which was first observed in 2019. Celebrates the value of the Holy Bible as the core of the country's Christian faith professed by millions of its people, held on the Monday following the final Sunday of January which serves as the conclusion of the week-long celebrations of National Bible Week organized by the country's Christian faiths.
February 24 (2024)	Lantern Festival	Piyesta ng mga Parol Tsino, Piyestang Siong Guan	Movable	Working holiday among the Filipino Chinese which marks the conclusion of the Chinese New Year festivities 15 days after.
May or June	Vesak Day	Araw ng Bisyak	Movable	Celebrated by Filipino Buddhists, to mark three important events in the life of Gautama Buddha: his birth, his Enlightenment, and his physical death and spiritual entry into Parinirvana. In 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed a proclamation declaring the day in May of the full moon as Vesak Day.
September 17 (2023)	Mid-Autumn Festival (Mooncake Festival)	Pista ng Gitnang Taglagas, Pistang Tiong Chiu	Movable	Working holiday by the Filipino Chinese community to celebrate the fall harvest, also a cultural observance by many Filipinos and part of the opening salvo of the long Christmas season which begins in the time period in which this festival falls (either in September or October), usually the festival period and the days following or before marks the time when the first Christmas sales are held in shopping malls.
February 8 (2024)	Isra and Mi'raj	Gabi ng Isra at Mi'raj	Movable	Working holiday by Filipino Muslims in commemoration of the journey at night by Muhammad, marked on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab.
March 8 (2023)	Mid-Sha'ban	Gabi ng Niṣf Sha‘bān	Movable	Working and cultural holiday by Filipino Muslims marked on the 14th day of the Islamic month of Sha'ban. Celebrated mostly by expat Muslims from Middle Eastern countries that observe the holiday.
July 18 (2023)	First of Muharram (Islamic New Year)	Unang Araw ng Muharram, Bagong Taong Islamiko	Movable	Working holiday by Filipino Muslims to mark the beginning of the Islamic year.
July 27 (2023)	Ashura (Mourning of Muharram)	Araw ng Ashura, Araw ng Pagluluksa sa Buwan ng Muharram	Movable	Working holiday by Filipino Muslims marking both the Islamic calendar date for the Crossing the Red Sea and in commemoration of Husayn ibn Ali (a grandson of Muhammad) and the fallen of the Battle of Karbala (680 CE). Celebrations of the latter are marked only by expatriate Shia Muslims in the country.
November 27 (2025)	Thanksgiving Day	Araw ng Pasasalamat	Movable	Formerly a national holiday until 1971 (held from 1973 to 1985 on September 21, the anniversary of the beginning of Martial Law), currently marked as a commercial and cultural working holiday. Mainly celebrated by the Filipino-American community and American expats, and now increasingly being revived, this day is a day of giving thanks and sacrifice for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Unlike in the United States and its overseas territories, wherein this day marks the start of the Christmas season, it is held in the Philippines as part of the long Christmas season. Held every 4th or final Thursday of November.
November 28 (2025)	Black Friday	Itim na Biyernes	Movable	Informally the term for the Friday following Thanksgiving that among Filipino Americans marks the official start of the Christmas shopping season, marked mostly as a shopping holiday by the retail sector and online shopping websites. Unlike in the United States, the country observes it as a working holiday that serves as part of the Christmas season, and the days following it are where a large variety of holiday-themed events are held by schools, colleges, universities, all private and public sector companies and all local governments. In the 21st century, the practice of holiday sales on this day began as part of the final salvo of Christmas sales in shopping malls, and the term itself began to be adopted in the late 2010s by both US-based retail brands and local department stores.

Local observance

Philippine cities, municipalities, or barangays, often observe one or more holidays. Being a predominantly Catholic country, these are usually the feasts of the locale's one or more patron saints.

Secular observances usually mark a government's founding day or the birth or death of a prominent native. These are often celebrated with parades, processions, entertainment, and feasting, as well as whatever local customs are traditional.

Local holidays for the most part are applicable only to the immediate area concerned, and barangay fiestas do not usually warrant a public holiday for the area unless otherwise ordered. Such holidays are usually declared as special non-working day and is proclaimed by the President.

Locally observed holidays

Date	English name	Filipino name	Description
January 9	Feast of the Image of the Black Nazarene	Fiesta ng Poong Itim na Nazareno, Traslasyon ng Nazareno	This special non-working holiday applies to the capital city of Manila only marking the 1787 transfer of the Black Nazarene from the Luneta area to Quiapo Church, its current home. One of the biggest festive holidays in Metro Manila, the procession and related events are attended by millions of devotees from all over the country.
January 11	Bataan Foundation Day	Araw ng Pagkakatatag ng Bataan	This special working holiday applies to Bataan only.
January 12	Valencia City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Valencia	This regular holiday applies to Valencia, Bukidnon only.
January 16	Navotas Day	Araw ng Navotas	This regular holiday applies to Navotas only.
January 17	James Leonard Tagle Gordon Day	Araw ng Kapanangakan ni James Leonard Tagle Gordon	Celebrated only in Olongapo and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, this holiday reflects on the achievements, contributions and heroism of the late politician and city mayor.
Third Sunday of January	Sinulog		This regular holiday applies to the province of Cebu and Tacloban only, honors the Santo Niño.
Monday after the third Sunday of January	Sinulog Rest Day		This regular holiday applies to the province of Cebu, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City and other provinces and cities who joined in the year's Sinulog Festival in Cebu.
January 22	Vigan Cityhood Day	Araw ng Pagkalungsod ng Vigan	This regular holiday applies to the city of Vigan. It happens three days before the city's fiesta.
February 3	Blas Ople Birth Anniversary	Pagdiriwang ng Kapanangakan ni Blas Ople	This is only celebrated in the province of Bulacan. Celebrates the birth of Blas Ople, statesman and former senator.
	Cabanatuan City Day	Araw ng Cabanatuan	This regular holiday applies to the city of Cabanatuan only.
	Biñan Liberation Day	Araw ng Liberasyon ng Biñan	This special working holiday applies to the city of Biñan only.
February 9	Mandaluyong Liberation and Cityhood Day	Araw ng Liberasyon at Pagkalungsod ng Mandaluyong	This regular holiday applies to Mandaluyong only, honoring the 1945 liberation of Mandaluyong and its 1995 elevation to cityhood.
February 11	Evelio Javier Day	Araw ni Evelio Javier	This special non-working holiday applies to the provinces of Antique, Capiz, Aklan, and Iloilo only, in remembrance of the 1986 murder of the popular Governor of Antique whose death was one of the causes of the 1986 People Power Revolution.
February 13	Parañaque Day	Araw ng Parañaque	This regular holiday applies to Parañaque only.
February 14	Valenzuela City Day	Araw ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela	This special working holiday applies to Valenzuela only.
February 24	Cebu City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Cebu	This regular holiday applies to Cebu City only.
	Zamboanga Sibugay Day	Araw ng Zamboanga Sibugay	This special non-working holiday applies to Zamboanga Sibugay only.
February 26	Día de Zamboanga (Zamboanga Day)	Araw ng Zamboanga	This regular holiday applies only to Zamboanga City only as celebration of the anniversary of the inauguration of Zamboanga as a city, even its Charter was signed on October 12 which is also a holiday in celebration of the Feast of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the city's patron saint.
February 21–27	Musikahan Festival		This regular holiday applies to Tagum only.
February 28	Tangub City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Tangub	This special non-working holiday applies to Tangub only.
March 1	Muntinlupa City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa	This special non-working holiday applies to Muntinlupa only.
March 2	La Union Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lalawigan ng La Union	This special non-working holiday applies to La Union only.
	Cavite Day	Araw ng Kabite	This special working holiday applies only in province of Cavite.
March 7	Tagum City Day	Araw ng Tagum	Commemorating the elevation of then Tagum municipality into the first component city of Davao del Norte. This regular holiday applies to Tagum only.
March 8	Davao de Oro Foundation Day	Araw ng Davao de Oro	This special working holiday applies to Davao de Oro province only, celebrating the foundation of the province in 1998.
March 16	Davao City Day	Araw ng Dabaw	Commemorating the signing of the Davao Charter, creating the city of Davao. This special non-working holiday applies to Davao City only.
March 18	Panay Liberation Day	Araw ng Liberasyon ng Panay	This regular holiday applies to all provinces and cities on the islands of Panay, Guimaras, and Romblon marking the 1945 liberation of these provinces by joint Filipino and American forces.
March 19	Sulyog Festival	Feast of St. Joseph	This day commemorates Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the town of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. This special non-working holiday applies to Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro only.
March 21	San Fabian Day	Araw ng San Fabian	This special working holiday applies to San Fabian, Pangasinan only.
	Calapan City Foundation Day	Araw ng Pagkakatatag ng Syudad ng Calapan	This day commemorates the cityhood of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro in 1998. This special non-working holiday applies to city of Calapan only.
March 22	Malaybalay City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Malaybalay	This special working holiday applies to Malaybalay only.
	Emilio Aguinaldo Day	Kaarawan ni Emilio Aguinaldo	A holiday which was observed in 2019. Celebrates the birth anniversary of a Filipino revolutionary during the Philippine Revolution and the President of the Philippine Republic Emilio Aguinaldo.
March 25	Cry of Candon	Sigaw ng Candon / Ikkis ti Candon	This special working holiday applies to Candon only. March 25 commemorates the "Cry of Candon" in the city of Candon, Ilocos Sur, when local heroes led by Don Isabelo Abaya declared the Republica de Filipinas Katipunan de Candon. In honor of the men and women who sacrificed their lives for freedom, March 25 of every year is hereby declared a special nonworking holiday in the city of Candon.
March 27	San Juan Day	Araw ng San Juan	This special non-working holiday applies to San Juan only.
March 31	First Mass Day	Araw ng Unang Misa	This special working holiday only in province of Southern Leyte. In commemoration of the first mass held in Limawasa Island which was officiated on Easter Sunday of March 31, 1521 by Father Pedro de Valderrama under the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan.
April 3	Albay Day	Araw ng Albay	This special working holiday only in province of Albay. In commemoration of its founding anniversary.
April 5	Pangasinan Day	Araw ng Pangasinan	This special working holiday only in province of Pangasinan. In commemoration of its founding anniversary.
April 21	Calamba City Day	Araw ng Calamba	Commemorating the signing of the Calamba Charter, creating the city of Calamba. This special non-working holiday applies to Calamba only.
	Orani Foundation Day	Araw ng Pagkakatatag ng Orani	This special non-working holiday applies to Orani only.
May 3 (Movable)	Sampaguita Festival	Pista ng Sampaguita	This regular holiday applies to San Pedro only.
May 3	Sta. Cruz Day	Araw ng Sta. Cruz	This special working holiday applies to Sta. Cruz only.
May 4	Ilagan Day	Aggaw na Ilagan	Celebrating the foundation of Ilagan (as municipality). This special non-working holiday applies to Ilagan only.
May 21	Malabon Day	Araw ng Malabon	This regular holiday applies to Malabon only.
May 24	Nueva Vizcaya Day	Ammungan Festival	The province's foundation day. This special non-working holiday applies to Nueva Vizcaya only.
May 27	San Jose Parish Fiesta	Fiesta ni Señor San José	Special non-working holiday in honor of Saint Joseph which only applies to Matalom, Leyte.
June 1	Biray Festival	Pistang Biray / Araw ng Imahen ng Birheng Maria	Honors the Blessed Virgin Mary as part of the Flores de Mayo in Belison, Antique. This special non-working holiday applies to Belison, Antique only.
June 6	Zamboanga del Norte Day	Araw ng Zamboanga del Norte	This special non-working holiday applies to Zamboanga del Norte only.
June 11	Rizal Province Day	Araw ng Rizal	This special non-working holiday applies to Rizal province only.
	Sagay Day	Araw ng Sagay	This special non-working holiday applies to Sagay, Negros Occidental only.
June 15	Cagayán de Oro Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Cagayan de Oro	This special non-working holiday applies to Cagayan de Oro only.
	Opol Day	Araw ng Opol	This special non-working holiday applies to Opol only.
June 16	Baybay City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Baybay	This special working holiday applies to Baybay only.
	Iligan City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Iligan	This special working holiday applies to Iligan City only.
June 18	Naga City Charter Anniversary	Anibersaryo ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Naga	This regular holiday applies to Naga, Camarines Sur only.
	Benguet Foundation Day	Araw ng Pagkakatatag ng Benguet	This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Benguet only.
	Bacolod City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Bacolod	This special non-working holiday applies to Bacolod City only.
June 19	Surigao del Sur Day	Araw ng Surigao del Sur	This special non-working holiday applies to Surigao del Sur only.
	Surigao del Norte Day	Araw ng Surigao del Norte	This special non-working holiday applies to Surigao del Norte only.
	Feast of the Forest	Pista ng Kagubatan	This special working holiday applies to Palawan only celebrating the importance of forests in the province.
	Laguna Day	Araw ng Laguna	This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Laguna only. This also commemorates Dr. José Rizal's birthday.
	Calambanga Festival	Araw ng Calamba	This special non-working holiday applies to Calamba only. This also commemorates Dr. José Rizal's birthday and a review of the history of Calamba.
June 21	Naliyagan Festival	Pistang Naliyagan	Special non-working holiday, applies to Agusan del Sur only.
June 22	Pagadian City Day	Araw ng Pagadian	This special non-working holiday applies to Pagadian only.
June 23	Bacoor Cityhood Day	Araw ng Pagkalungsod ng Bacoor	This day commemorates the cityhood of Bacoor in the province of Cavite on June 23, 2012. This special non-working holiday applies to Bacoor only.
June 24	Manila Day	Araw ng Maynila	This special non-working holiday applies to the City of Manila only. It honors the 1571 founding of the city by Miguel López de Legaspi.
	Wattah Wattah Festival	Pista ng San Juan	This special holiday applies to San Juan only. This day honor Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of the city. Also known as the Feast of Saint John San Juan Festival.
June 26	Batanes Day	Araw ng Batanes	This special holiday applies to the province of Batanes only.
June 30	Tacloban Day and Tacloban City Charter Day	Araw ng Tacloban	This special non-working holiday applies to the city of Tacloban only.
June 30	Imus Cityhood Day	Araw ng Pagkalungsod ng Imus	This day commemorates the cityhood of Imus in the province of Cavite on June 30, 2012. This special non-working holiday applies to Imus only.
July 1	Tagbilaran City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Tagbilaran	A day commemorating the creation of the city of Tagbilaran by virtue of Republic Act No. 4660 on July 1, 1966. This special non-working holiday applies only to Tagbilaran.
	Davao Region Day	Araw ng Rehiyon ng Davao	Day commemorating the creation of the three Davao provinces from then a "single" Davao province, now Davao Region. This regular public holiday applies to the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental only.
	Maramag Day	Araw ng Maramag	Day commemorating the recognition of Maramag, Bukidnon as a municipality by virtue of Executive Order 272, which was signed by President Carlos P. Garcia on July 1, 1956. This special non-working holiday applies only to the municipality of Maramag.
	Alubijid Day	Araw ng Alubijid	This special non-working holiday applies to Alubijid only.
	Dipolog City Day	Araw ng Dipolog	This special non-working holiday applies to Dipolog only.
July 2	Pasig Foundation day	Araw ng Pasig	This special non-working holiday applies to Pasig only. Remembers the founding of the city in 1573.
July 4	Lanao del Norte Day	Araw ng Lanao del Norte	This regular holiday applies to Lanao del Norte only.
July 16	Ozamiz City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Ozamiz	This special non-working holiday applies to Ozamiz only.
July 22	Bohol Day	Araw ng Bohol	A day commemorating the creation of the province of Bohol by virtue of Act No. 2711 on March 10, 1917, and the anniversary of the 1565 Blood Compact. This special non-working holiday applies only to the whole province of Bohol.
	Claveria Day	Araw ng Claveria	This special non-working holiday applies to Claveria, Misamis Oriental in commemoration to its founding.
July 23	Apolinario Mabini Day	Kaarawan ni Apolinario Mabini	This special working holiday applies to Tanauan only, the city is the hometown of Apolinario Mabini, the prime minister of the First Philippine Republic.
	Batangas City Day	Batangas City Foundation Day	This special non-working holiday applies to Batangas City in commemoration to its founding.
August 2	Butuan City Charter Day	Adlaw Hong Butuan	This holiday applies to Butuan only.
	Kabankalan City Charter Day	Adlaw Kabankalan	This holiday applies to Kabankalan only.
August 4	Cabuyao Cityhood Day	Araw ng Pagkalungsod ng Cabuyao	This day commemorates the cityhood of Cabuyao in 2012. This special non-working holiday applies to city of Cabuyao only.
August 6	Cebu Provincial Charter Day	Araw ng Panlalawigang Pribilehiyo ng Cebu	This special nonworking holiday applies to the province of Cebu only.
August 9	Ablan Day	Kaarawan ni Ablan	Commemorates the birthday of Ilocos Norte's late governor and labor leader, Governor Roque B. Ablan, Sr.
August 15	Kadayawan Festival	Davao Harvest Festival	This special working holiday applies to Davao City only. (Proc. No. 829 declared that August 15 is a special non-working holiday)
	Bulacan Foundation Day	Araw ng Bulacan	This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Bulacan only.
August 19	Manuel Luis Quezón Day	Kaarawan ni Manuel Luis Quezón	This special working holiday applies to the provinces of Quezon and Aurora, and to Quezon City only in honor of the anniversary of the birth of the Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, born on this day in 1878.
August 20	Lucena City Charter Day	Araw ng Lungsod ng Lucena	This special non-working holiday applies to Lucena only by virtue of Republic Act No. 3271 – An Act Creating the city of Lucena, approved on June 17, 1961.
August 25	Iloilo City Charter Day	Araw ng Lungsod ng Iloilo	This regular holiday applies to Iloilo City only.
August 28	Higalaay Festival	Adlaw sa Pag-Higalaay sa Dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro	Non-working holiday in Cagayan de Oro.
August 30	Pinaglabanan Day	Araw ng Pinaglabanan	This special non-working holiday applies to San Juan only, often in celebration of the 1896 Battle of Pinaglabanan, the first major battle of the Philippine Revolution and the first major defeat for revolutionary forces.
August 30	Gat. Marcelo H. Del Pilar Day	Kaarawan ni Gat. Marcelo H. Del Pilar	This special non-working holiday applies to Province of Bulacan only.
August 31	Surigao City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Surigao	This special non-working holiday applies to Surigao City only.
September 1	Baguio City Day	Araw ng Lungsod ng Baguio	Special non-working holiday only in Baguio marking its foundation in 1909.
	Gregorio L. Aglipay Day	Paggunita sa Kamatayan ni Obispo Gregorio L. Aglipay	Special non-working holiday only in Batac to commemorate the death anniversary of Gregorio Aglipay, the first supreme bishop of the Philippine Independent Church.
	Jasaan Day	Araw ng Jasaan	This special non-working holiday applies to Jasaan only.
September 2	Nueva Ecija Day	Araw ng Nueva Ecija	This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Nueva Ecija only.
	Simeon Ola Day	Kaarawan ni Simeon Ola	This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Albay only. Commemorates the birth of Gen. Simeón Ola, the last Filipino army general who surrendered to the American forces during the Philippine-American War.
September 3	Iriga City Foundation Day	Araw ng Establisyento ng Syudad ng iriga	This is a Special Non-Working Day Iriga to honor the city's founding anniversary.
September 9	Osmeña Day	Araw ni Pangulong Osmeña	This is a Special Non-Working Day (Republic Act No. 6953) applicable in Cebu to honor the nation's fourth president on his birthday.
	Mina Foundation Day	Araw ng Pagkatatag ng Bayan ng Mina	This special working holiday applies to Mina only.
	San José del Monte City Day	Araw ng Lungsod ng San José del Monte	This regular holiday applies to San Jose del Monte only.
Second Friday — third Sunday of September	Peñafrancia Festival	Pista ng Peñafrancia	Applies only to Naga, Camarines Sur and honors the miraculous image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the patroness of the Bicol Region.
September 10	Feast of San Nicolás de Tolentino	Kapistahan ni San Nicolas de Tolentino	This regular holiday applies to Surigao City only.
September 11	Marcos Day	Araw ni Pangulong Marcos	This Special Non-Working Day (Proclamation No. 310) applies to the province of Ilocos Norte only and honors the birthday of the nation's tenth president.
September 13	Battle of Pulang Lupa Day	Araw ng Labanan sa Pulang Lupa	This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Marinduque only. Remembers the patriotic victory in the 1900 Battle of Pulang Lupa against American forces.
September 17	Siquijor Day	Araw ng Siquijor	This special non-working holiday applies to Siquijor only.
	Zamboanga del Sur Day	Araw ng Zamboanga del Sur	This special non-working holiday applies to Zamboanga del Sur only.
September 18	Tacurong City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Tacurong	This special working holiday applies to Tacurong only.
September 21	Cebu Press Freedom Day	Araw ng Malayang Pamamahayag sa Cebu	This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Cebu only.
September 24	Yulo Day	Araw ni José Yulo	REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7851 – Special Non-working Holiday in Calamba, Laguna, to commemorate the birth anniversary of the late speaker José Yulo Sr.
October 3	Imus Foundation Day	Araw ng Pagkatatag ng Bayan ng Imus	This day commemorating the foundation of Imus (as municipality) on October 3, 1795. This special non-working holiday applies to Imus only.
October 12	Fiesta Pilar	Araw ng Kapistahan ni Nuestra Señora del Pilar	This regular holiday applies to Zamboanga City only in celebration of its patron saint, Nuestra Señora del Pilar.
October 16	Oroquieta City Day	Araw ng Lungsod ng Oroquieta	This special non-working holiday applies to Oroquieta only.
October 19	Bacolod City Charter Day	Araw ng Pribilehiyo ng Lungsod ng Bacolod	This special non-working holiday only applies to Bacolod.
October 20	Leyte Landing Day	Araw ng Leyte Landing	This regular holiday applies to Tacloban only. Commemorates the landing of American and Filipinos forces on Palo Beach during the Battle of Leyte in 1944, signalling the beginning liberation of the country in the Second World War.
October 26	Foundation Day of Catanduanes	Araw ng Pagkakatatag ng Catanduanes	This special non-working holiday applies to Catanduanes only.
October 28	Foundation Day of Davao Occidental	Araw ng Pagkakatatag ng Davao Occidental	This special non-working holiday applies to Davao Occidental only.
November 4	President Carlos P. Garcia Day	Araw ni Pangulong Garcia	Commemorates the birth of Carlos P. Garcia, the eighth President of the Philippines, native of Bohol. This special non-working holiday applies only to the Province of Bohol.
November 5	Al Cinco de Noviembre (Negros Day)	Araw ng Negros	Also called Al Cinco de Noviembre, this special non-working holiday applies to the province of Negros Occidental only. Honors the 1898 Negros Revolution and those who took part.
November 8	Godofredo "Goding" P. Ramos Day	Araw ni Goding Ramos	This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Aklan only, in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Godofredo P. Ramos, the “Father of Aklan.”
November 15	Oriental Mindoro Day	Araw ng Silangang Mindoro	This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Oriental Mindoro only, the province became an independent and separated from Occidental Mindoro via Republic Act No. 505 on this day in 1950.
November 16	Quirino Day	Araw ni Quirino	To commemorate the birth anniversary of late President Elpidio Quirino as declared under Presidential Proclamation No. 1927 dated November 15, 1979 issued by the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos. This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Ilocos Sur only, the very province on which he was born in its capital of Vigan.
December 1	Kabakahan Festival	Pista ng Kabakahan	This special non-working holiday applies to Padre Garcia, Batangas only.
December 2	Pasay City Day	Araw ng Pasay	This special non-working holiday applies to Pasay only, the city was founded on this day in 1863.
December 8	Taguig Holiday	Araw ng Taguig	As per Proclamation No. 81 signed December 1, 2010, Taguig Holiday is celebrated henceforth every December 8.
December 11	Pampanga Day	Araw ng Pampanga	Under the virtue of Proclamation No. 2226 of late President Ferdinand Marcos. This special non-working holiday applies to the province of Pampanga only, celebrating its 1571 founding as one of the nation's oldest provinces.
December 13	General Trias Foundation Day and Valenciana Festival	Araw ng Pagkakatatag ng General Trias at Pistang Valenciana	This special working holiday applies of General Trias only.
December 18	López Jaena Day	Araw ni Lopez Jaena	This regular holiday in Iloilo province and Iloilo City only. Honors Graciano López Jaena and his contributions to the Propaganda Movement of the 1880s.
December 20	Feast Day of Santa Lucia	Kapistahan ni Santa Lucia	This day commemorates Saint Lucy, the patron saint of the town of Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur. This special non-working holiday applies to Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur only.
December 29	San Pedro Cityhood Day	Araw ng Pagkalungsod ng San Pedro	This day commemorates the cityhood of San Pedro, Laguna in 2013. This special non-working holiday applies to city of San Pedro only.

Proposal

The Senate is considering to consolidate holidays that honor former presidents into a single holiday, similar to the U.S. Presidents' Day, to enhance the competitiveness of Filipino companies. Senate President Francis Escudero emphasized the need to reduce the number of holidays in the levels of cities, municipalities,and provinces, including those of national level (besides religious), noting that the current total of more than one month hampers productivity. However, labor groups oppose reducing holidays, arguing that it would deprive employees of valuable benefits and that there is no direct link between holidays and productivity. They contend that the move would primarily benefit employers by lowering costs through the reduction of holiday pay.