2026 is already here, and it’s the perfect time to make the most of your holidays without burning through your annual leave. With a little strategic planning, you can turn weekends, public holidays, and even short breaks into extended getaways. From aligning trips with national holidays to combining weekends with a few carefully chosen leave days, you can travel more often, explore hidden gems, and create unforgettable memories — all while keeping your vacation days in check.
🇵🇭 2026 PHILIPPINES HOLIDAY CALENDAR
Mark all regular holidays first, then highlight special non-working days. From there, look for Fridays, Mondays, or mid-week holidays where taking just one leave day can turn a short break into a long getaway✌🏻
| Date | Name | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Regular Holiday |
| 16 Jan | Friday | Lailatul Isra Wal Mi Raj (Tentative Date) | Muslim, Common Local Holiday |
| 23 Jan | Friday | First Philippine Republic Day | Special Working Day |
| 17 Feb | Tuesday | Lunar New Year’s Day | Special Non-working Holiday |
| 18 Feb | Wednesday | Ramadan Start (Tentative Date) | Observance, Muslim |
| 25 Feb | Wednesday | People Power Anniversary | Observance |
| 20 Mar | Friday | Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) | Regular Holiday |
| 20 Mar | Friday | March Equinox | Season |
| 2 Apr | Thursday | Maundy Thursday | Regular Holiday |
| 3 Apr | Friday | Good Friday | Regular Holiday |
| 4 Apr | Saturday | Black Saturday | Observance |
| 5 Apr | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Observance |
| 9 Apr | Thursday | The Day of Valor | Regular Holiday |
| 1 May | Friday | Labor Day | Regular Holiday |
| 27 May | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date) | Regular Holiday |
| 28 May | Thursday | Eid al-Adha Day 2 (Tentative Date) | Muslim, Common Local Holiday |
| 12 Jun | Friday | Independence Day | Regular Holiday |
| 17 Jun | Wednesday | Amun Jadid (Tentative Date) | Muslim, Common Local Holiday |
| 21 Jun | Sunday | June Solstice | Season |
| 27 Jul | Monday | Founding Anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo | Special Working Day |
| 21 Aug | Friday | Ninoy Aquino Day | Special Non-working Holiday |
| 26 Aug | Wednesday | Maulid un-Nabi (Tentative Date) | Muslim, Common Local Holiday |
| 31 Aug | Monday | National Heroes Day | Regular Holiday |
| 3 Sep | Thursday | Yamashita Surrender Day | Special Working Day |
| 8 Sep | Tuesday | Feast of the Nativity of Mary | Special Working Day |
| 23 Sep | Wednesday | September Equinox | Season |
| 1 Nov | Sunday | All Saints’ Day | Special Non-working Holiday |
| 2 Nov | Monday | All Souls’ Day | Special Non-working Holiday |
| 7 Nov | Saturday | Sheikh Karim’ul Makhdum Day | Special Working Day |
| 30 Nov | Monday | Bonifacio Day | Regular Holiday |
| 8 Dec | Tuesday | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | Special Non-working Holiday |
| 22 Dec | Tuesday | December Solstice | Season |
| 24 Dec | Thursday | Christmas Eve | Special Non-working Holiday |
| 25 Dec | Friday | Christmas Day | Regular Holiday |
| 30 Dec | Wednesday | Rizal Day | Regular Holiday |
| 31 Dec | Thursday | New Year’s Eve | Special Non-working Holiday |
Special Non-Working vs Special Working Holidays
When planning your 2026 holidays, it’s important to understand the difference between special non-working holidays and special working holidays — knowing this helps you stretch your annual leave and maximize your time off.
| Feature | Special Non-Working Holiday | Special Working Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Work Required? | Usually no (employees generally don’t work) | Usually yes (employees work unless company grants leave) |
| Pay if Worked | Extra pay / 30% premium | Regular pay (no extra unless company decides) |
| Best For | Long weekends, mini-vacations | Strategic leave planning, bridging weekends |
✈️ Example: Turn 1 Leave Day into 4 Days Off
May 1 (Friday) – Labor Day：Take leave on Thursday, April 30
👉 Enjoy 4 days off with just 1 annual leave day
🌴 Example: Holiday + Weekend Combo
August 21 (Friday) – Ninoy Aquino Day：Combine with weekend
👉3-day trip, zero leave used
Planning your trips early also means packing smarter. From must-have travel essentials to effortless holiday outfits, discover everything you need to be fully prepared for your 2026 adventures.
Start planning early — your future self will thank you.
