The following are the national public holidays and other observances of Argentina.
Though holidays of many faiths are respected, public holidays usually include most Catholic based holidays. Historic holidays include the celebration of the May Revolution (25 May), Independence Day (9 July), Flag Day (20 June) and the death of José de San Martín (17 August).
The extended family gathers on Christmas Eve at around 9 p.m. for dinner, music, and often dancing. Candies are served just before midnight, when the fireworks begin. They also open gifts from Papá Noel (Father Christmas or "Santa Claus"). New Year's Day is also marked with fireworks. Other widely observed holidays include Good Friday, Easter, Labor Day (1 May) and Veterans Day (formerly Malvinas Day, 2 April).
Public holidays
The "movable holidays" whose dates coincide with Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be moved to the previous Monday. Those that coincide with Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be moved to the following Monday. Every employee is entitled to 15 paid public holidays and every year the government adds a few more holidays known as "bridge holidays" which means that a holiday lasts two days.
DayEnglish nameSpanish nameTypeNotesJanuary 1New Year's Day ImmovableBeginning of a new year.Day 48 and 47 before EasterCarnival Monday and Tuesday MovableDates vary with EasterMarch 24Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice ImmovableAnniversary of the coup d'état that started the 1976–1983 National Reorganization Process.April 2Day of the Veterans and Fallen of the Malvinas War ImmovableTribute to the fallen in, and the veterans of, the 1982 Falklands War.April 15Good Friday MovableChristian holiday, date according to lunar calendar.May 1Labour Day ImmovableInternational holiday.May 25May Revolution ImmovableAnniversary of the First National Government creation of the First National Government.June 17Anniversary of the Passing of General Martín Miguel de Güemes MovableAnniversary of the death of Martín Miguel de Güemes, general of the Argentine War of Independence.June 20General Manuel Belgrano Memorial Day ImmovableAnniversary of the death of Manuel Belgrano, creator of the Flag of Argentina.July 9Independence Day ImmovableAnniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1816.August 17General José de San Martín Memorial Day MovableAnniversary of the death of José de San Martín, liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru.October 12Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity Movable (), anniversary of the arrival of Columbus to the Americas.November 20National Sovereignty Day MovableAnniversary of the 1845 Battle of Vuelta de Obligado against the Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata.December 8Immaculate Conception Day ImmovableChristian holiday, conception of the Virgin Mary free from original sin.December 25Christmas Day ImmovableChristian holiday, Nativity of Jesus.
Non-working days
The following are federal non-working national or religious holidays, during which people of the following faiths are excused from work:
DayEnglish nameSpanish nameReligionNotesApril 11, 12, 17 and 18Passover Judaism . First two days and last two days. Date according to lunar calendar.April 13Holy Thursday CatholicismDate according to lunar calendar.April 24Day of Action for Tolerance and Respect among Peoples ArmeniansCommemoration of the Armenian genocide.June 25Festival of Breaking of the Fast of the Holy Month of Ramadan Islam . Date according to lunar calendar.September 1Festival of Sacrifice Islam . Date according to lunar calendar.September 21 and 22Jewish New Year Judaism . Date according to lunar calendar.September 30Day of Atonement Judaism . Date according to lunar calendar.October 2Islamic New Year IslamDate according to lunar calendar.
Bicentennial holidays
As part of the celebration of the Independence Day Bicentennial, the following extraordinary and one-time holidays were arranged:
February 27, 2012: Bicentenary of the creation of the Flag of Argentina and the first pledge to it. September 24, 2012: Bicentenary of the Battle of Tucumán. January 31, 2013: Bicentenary of the inaugural session of the Assembly of the Year XIII. February 20, 2013: Bicentenary of the Battle of Salta. July 9, 2016: Bicentennial of the Argentine Declaration of Independence.
Other observances Argentine National Anthem Day () on May 11. Not a holiday. Navy Day () on May 17. Not a holiday. May Week () on May 18-24. Not a holiday. Army Day () on May 29. Not a holiday (but working holiday in the Army). Father's Day () on the third Sunday of June. Not a holiday. Friend's Day () on July 20. Not a holiday. Children's Day () on the third Sunday of August. Not a holiday. Teacher's Day () on September 11. Anniversary of the death of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento in 1888. School holiday only for primary and high school students. Student's Day () on September 21. Holiday only for high school and university students. Loyalty Day () on October 17, the anniversary of the 1945 Peronist-aligned grand rally in downtown Buenos Aires, also Television Day as the first Argentine TV broadcasts aired on this day in 1951. Not a public holiday but observed nationally as a working holiday. Mother's Day () on the third Sunday of October. Not a holiday. Tourist holidays () occur on various Mondays and Fridays, as established by the government. Tradition Day () on November 10. Anniversary of the birth of José Hernández in 1834. Not a holiday.
Sources
External links Official Public holidays in Argentina Ministerio del Interior.