Public holidays in Puerto Rico


celebrates all official U.S holidays, and a number of other official holidays established by the Commonwealth government.
Additionally, many municipalities celebrate their own Patron Saint Festivals, as well as festivals honoring cultural icons like Bomba y plena, danza, salsa, hamacas, and popular crops such as plantains and coffee.
Until June 30, 2014, there were 19 public holidays in Puerto Rico. As a result of a new Commonwealth law, after July 1, 2014, the Commonwealth government consolidated three of its former holidays into just one called Día de los Próceres Puertorriqueños, and reducing the number of holidays observed publicly to 17. As part of the new law, the third Monday of February became Día de los Próceres Puertorriqueños when, in addition to commemorating the birth of those three illustrious Puerto Ricans will also include commemorating the birthdays of four other illustrious Puerto Ricans – Ramón Emeterio Betances, Román Baldorioty de Castro, Ernesto Ramos Antonini and Luis A. Ferré. The law mandated that the Eugenio Maria de Hostos holiday and the Jose de Diego holiday would continue to be observed on their respective days as usual.

Official public holidays

Official public holidays are those recognized by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico government. All public offices must close. Many businesses also elect to close. These public holidays include both federal and commonwealth-established holidays, since Puerto Rico recognizes all U.S. federal holidays.
DateEnglish nameLocal name Remarks
January 1New Year's DayDía de Año NuevoAs in most countries, this holiday is celebrated with gatherings and fireworks. Although illegal, celebratory gunfire has sometimes led to injuries and even deaths on certain occasions.
January 6Three Kings Day/
Epiphany		Día de ReyesThis is a Commonwealth of Puerto Rico official holiday, as well as a religious holiday. It celebrates the Three Wise Men's visit to see the newborn Christ by exchanging gifts. Traditionally, children stack bundles of hay in boxes under their beds for each Wise Man's camel, to then find their boxes exchanged for gifts.
Second Monday in JanuaryBirthday of Eugenio María de HostosNatalicio de Eugenio María de HostosThis is a Commonwealth of Puerto Rico official holiday. In recent years it has been celebrated on the 2nd Monday of January. Eugenio María de Hostos was a writer and statesman who struggled for Puerto Rican independence and the end to slavery in the late 19th century.
Third Monday in JanuaryMartin Luther King, Jr. DayNatalicio de Martin Luther King, Jr.
A federal and commonwealth official holiday.
Third Monday in FebruaryPresidents' Day, Washington's BirthdayDía de los Presidentes
Natalicio de Washington		A federal and commonwealth official holiday.
February 18Birthday of Luis Muñoz MarínNatalicio de Luis Muñoz MarínLuis Muñoz Marín, was the first democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico. He founded the Partido Popular Democrático and was instrumental in establishing the Commonwealth status in 1952. He was a noted journalist and poet, and served four terms as governor. His birthday is now celebrated concurrently with Washington and Lincoln.
March 2American Citizenship DayDía de la Ciudadanía AmericanaA Commonwealth of Puerto Rico holiday. Puerto Ricans have been American citizens since March 2, 1917.
March 22Emancipation DayDía de la Abolición de EsclavitudA Commonwealth of Puerto Rico official holiday. Slavery was abolished in Puerto Rico in 1873 while the Island was still a colony of Spain.
Friday in late March or early AprilGood FridayViernes SantoAn official public holiday and a religious holiday; see notes below in the religious holidays section.
April 16Birthday of José de DiegoNatalicio de José de DiegoA Commonwealth of Puerto Rico official holiday. José de Diego was a much-loved poet and political leader. In recent years, the holiday has been celebrated on the third Monday of April.
Last Monday of MayMemorial DayRecordación de los Muertos de la GuerraA federal and commonwealth official holiday.
July 4Independence DayDía de la Independencia de los Estados Unidos
Día de la Independencia		A federal and commonwealth official holiday.
Third Monday of JulyBirthday of Don Luis Muñoz RiveraNatalicio de Don Luis Muñoz RiveraA Commonwealth of Puerto Rico holiday, celebrated in recent years on the 4th of July. Don Luis Muñoz Rivera was a prominent journalist, poet, and politician who advocated independence from Spain and later, the United States. His son Luis Muñoz Marín was the first democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico.
July 25Puerto Rico Constitution DayConstitución de Puerto RicoAn official Commonwealth of Puerto Rico holiday. See also Constitution of Puerto Rico. Formerly called Occupation Day, commemorating the anniversary of the landing of American troops at Guánica in 1898.
July 27Birthday of Dr. José Celso BarbosaNatalicio de Dr. José Celso BarbosaCommonwealth of Puerto Rico holiday. Dr. José Celso Barbosa was a medical doctor and an early advocate of statehood, founder of the Republican Party on the Island.
First Monday in SeptemberLabor DayDía del TrabajoA federal and commonwealth official holiday.
Second Monday in OctoberColumbus DayDía de la Raza
Descubrimiento de América		A federal and commonwealth official holiday.
November 11Veterans DayDía del Veterano
Día del Armisticio		A federal and commonwealth official holiday, usually observed at the Puerto Rico National Cemetery.
November 19Discovery of Puerto RicoDía del Descubrimiento de Puerto RicoA Commonwealth of Puerto Rico official holiday. Christopher Columbus landed on the northwest coast of Puerto Rico near Aguada on his second voyage to the New World in 1493.
Fourth Thursday in NovemberThanksgiving DayAcción de Gracias
Día de Acción de Gracias		A federal and commonwealth official holiday. It marks the beginning of the Holiday season.
December 24Christmas EveNoche Buena
Nochebuena		A Commonwealth of Puerto Rico official holiday, sometimes only a half-day of work
December 25ChristmasDía de Navidad
Navidad
Nacimiento del niñito Jesús
Día del niño Jesús		During Spanish colonial rule,"Navidad", marked the Christian ecumenical celebration date of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Is not until the development of the commercialization of Christmas, product of the subsequent American colonial rule, that "Navidad" becomes the delivery day for Santa Claus. As in the United States, Santa Claus leaves Christmas presents under the "Arbolito" Christmas tree. This has replaced in large part, but not entirely, the gift giving custom of Puerto Ricans in Three Kings Day. No other country celebrates a holiday for so long. Many countries celebrate Christmas for a couple of days, or as long as four or five. In Puerto Rico, however, the celebration starts after Thanksgiving and ends in the third week of January, on the last day of the St. Sebastian Street Festival in Old San Juan.

Religious holidays