Public holidays in Argentina

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), National 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.

Non-working days
The following are federal non-working national or religious holidays, during which people of the following faiths are excused from work:

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 (Día del Himno Nacional Argentino) on May 11. Not a holiday.
 * Navy Day (Dia de la Armada Argentina) on May 17. Not a holiday
 * May Week (Semana de Mayo) on May 18-24. Not a holiday
 * Army Day (Dia del Ejercito Argentino) on May 29. Not a holiday (but working holiday in the Army)
 * Father's Day (Día del Padre) on the third Sunday of June. Not a holiday
 * Friend's Day (Día del Amigo) on July 20. Not a holiday.
 * Children's Day (Día de la Niñez) on the third Sunday of August. Not a holiday.
 * Teacher's Day (Día del Maestro) 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 (Día del Estudiante) on September 21. Holiday only for high school and university students.
 * Loyalty Day (Día de la Lealtad) 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 (Día de la Madre) on the third Sunday of October. Not a holiday.
 * Tourist holidays (feriados turísticos) occur on various Mondays and Fridays, as established by the government
 * Tradition Day (Día de la Tradición) on November 10. Anniversary of the birth of José Hernández in 1834. Not a holiday.