Philippines Public Holidays 2026

Complete List of Official Philippines Public Holidays 2026

Special Working Day: February 25 (EDSA Anniversary)
Islamic Holidays: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha will be announced separately.

Holy Week 2026

Holy Week is one of the most significant periods in the Philippines. In 2026:

• Maundy Thursday: April 2
• Good Friday: April 3
• Black Saturday: April 4
• Easter Sunday: April 5 (not a holiday)

Many businesses close during these dates, and airports become busy as travelers head to tourist destinations or return to their home provinces. Travelers often secure transport and accommodations early to avoid peak congestion. Using a Philippines eSIM from Eskimo helps maintain reliable connectivity during crowded travel days.

Regular and Special Holidays

Regular holidays include New Year’s Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Araw ng Kagitingan, Labor Day, Independence Day, National Heroes Day, Bonifacio Day, Christmas Day, and Rizal Day. Employees who work on regular holidays receive double pay.

Special non-working holidays include Chinese New Year, Black Saturday, Ninoy Aquino Day, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve. These follow the “no work, no pay” rule unless company policies differ.

Long Weekends in 2026

Several holidays create three to four-day weekends:

• April 2 to 5 (Holy Week)
• June 12 to 14 (Independence Day)
• August 21 to 23 (Ninoy Aquino Day)
• August 29 to 31 (National Heroes Day)

These dates are popular for domestic travel, with many choosing beach destinations, cooler climates, or cultural cities.

Travel Ideas for the 2026 Philippine Holidays

Each long weekend in 2026 offers opportunities for different types of trips. Travelers often choose destinations based on the length of the break and the season.

Holy Week (April 2 to 5)

Holy Week is a major travel period. Many look for quiet destinations away from city crowds.

Good options:

• Palawan for scenic lagoons and island-hopping
• Bohol for beaches and countryside tours
• Baguio for cooler weather and parks

Independence Day Weekend (June 12 to 14)

June marks the start of the rainy season, but many areas remain accessible.

Good options:

• Cebu for resorts close to the airport
• Iloilo for heritage sites and local cuisine
• Siargao for steady surfing conditions

Ninoy Aquino Day Weekend (August 21 to 23)

August is a popular time for short mid-year breaks.

Good options:

• Davao for a mix of city attractions and nature spots
• La Union for surfing and cafés
• Bacolod for food-focused trips

National Heroes Day Weekend (August 29 to 31)

This is the final long weekend before the Christmas season begins.

Good options:

• Boracay for clear water and accessible activities
• Cebu for flexible weekend itineraries
• Tagaytay for cooler weather near Manila

Travel Preparation for Public Holidays

Holiday travel often results in crowded airports, longer queues, and high demand for flights and accommodation. Preparing documents early helps avoid delays, especially during Holy Week and year-end holidays. One essential requirement for international travelers entering or leaving the Philippines is the eTravel form.

eTravel Requirements for Visitors

All inbound and outbound travelers must complete the eTravel registration before flying. This digital form replaces paper arrival cards and speeds up airport processing.

What eTravel is:

A mandatory online form for immigration and health screening.

When to fill it out:

Complete it within 72 hours before arrival or before departure.

How to register

Visit: https://etravel.gov.ph. A QR code is generated after submission.

What travelers need

• Passport details
• Flight information
• Accommodation address
• Email address
• Mobile number

Connectivity During Travel

Using a reliable eSIM such as the Philippines eSIM from Eskimo can improve the travel experience during busy holiday periods. Eskimo offers several features that support both short weekend trips and longer holiday breaks.

Why connectivity matters during peak travel

• Airports and terminals become congested
• Mobile networks slow down in crowded destinations
• eTravel and booking platforms require online access
• Many travelers need stable data to navigate, book rides, or communicate

How Eskimo helps travelers during holidays

Eskimo provides practical advantages that match the needs of holiday travelers:

• Unused data rolls over when you top up, so your data does not go to waste after a short trip.
• Data can be transferred to friends or family members who are also traveling.
• New users receive 500 MB of free global data, which lets you test the service before buying a full plan.
• No physical SIM swap is needed, making it easier for travelers landing during peak hours.
• Instant activation ensures your device is ready before boarding or upon arrival.

These features reduce the stress of traveling during busy public holiday periods and make it easier to manage digital requirements.

FAQs

How many long weekends are there in 2026?

There are four confirmed long weekends in 2026: Holy Week, Independence Day, Ninoy Aquino Day, and National Heroes Day. Additional long weekends may occur once the government announces the dates of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Will more holidays be added for 2026?

Yes. The government may declare additional special non-working days, especially for Islamic holidays and major national events. These updates are released through separate proclamations.

Is eTravel required for all international travelers?

Yes. All inbound and outbound passengers must complete the eTravel form before their flight. This includes tourists, returning residents, and overseas workers.

When is the best time to prepare travel documents?

It is best to complete requirements one to two days before departure, especially during Holy Week, Christmas, and long weekends when airport traffic increases.

Do I need mobile data to travel around the Philippines?

Yes. Mobile data is needed for eTravel, ride-hailing apps, navigation, food delivery, QR-based check-ins, and online bookings. Reliable connectivity is useful during peak travel periods.