📅 holiday

Battle of Pichincha Holiday

Monday, May 25, 2026

— days to go

Celebrated on the 24th of May each year, the date of the Battle of Pichincha is a national holiday in Ecuador. The battle was the last for independence in Ecuador. In 2026, Battle of Pichincha falls on Monday 25 May. The holiday will be on Monday 24 May in 2027. On 22 May 1822, rebels led by Antonio Jose de Sucre achieved victory over Spanish royalists on the lower slopes of Cerro Pichincha, a volcano. The battle allowed rebels to occupy Quito Ecuador and, the following day, Simon Bolivar was proclaimed the liberator of the country. At that time, Ecuador joined the Republic of Gran Colombia. In celebration of the battle which earned them their independence, parades are held in towns and villages throughout the country. Students march in school uniforms and the student with the highest grade in their class carries the Ecuadorian flag, leading their class in the parade in some towns. In larger cities, parades include members of the military. On the volcano where the battle occurred, special programs are offered, including an air show. Throughout Ecuador, there are festivals and celebrations designed to recognise the importance of the battle. It is a day of national pride and patriotism with many festivals featuring citizens in native dress, traditional music and dances as well as foods that are unique to Ecuador. Public offices, schools and many businesses are closed in celebration of the public holiday.

History

How It's Celebrated

Celebrated on the 24th of May each year, the date of the Battle of Pichincha is a national holiday in Ecuador. The holiday will be on Monday 24 May in 2027. At that time, Ecuador joined the Republic of Gran Colombia. In celebration of the battle which earned them their independence, parades are held

Other Years

2026 Mon

25 May

2027 Mon

24 May

2028 Fri

26 May

2025 Fri

23 May

2024 Fri

24 May

Countries

🇪🇨 EC

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🎉 festival Feb 16

Ecuador Carnival

Ecuadorian Carnival is a vibrant celebration held in February, known for its unique blend of indigenous and Spanish traditions. The festival is famous for its playful water and foam fights, where participants joyfully drench each other with water, foam, flour, and colored paints. Each region of Ecuador has its own distinct Carnival traditions, with particularly elaborate celebrations in Ambato, Guaranda, and the Amazon region.

ECUS

🌍 observance Mar 21

National Flower Day

The American flower industry. The commercial cut flower industry in the United States began in. California in the late 1870s, pioneered by Theodosia Shepard, a Ventura housewife who began selling garden flowers commercially. California's Mediterranean climate allowed year-round production, and immigrant families âChinese, Japanese, Italian, and Dutchâ expanded and transformed the industry over the following decades.In 1912,fifty-four Japanese immigrant growersfounded the. Los Angeles Southern California Flower Market, one of the largest in the country. For most of the 20th century, American flowers were grown domestically, with farms concentrated near major cities in the East and in California's coastal valleys.That changed on October 18, 1965, when thefirst shipment of Colombian cut flowersarrived in Miami. Colombia'shigh-altitude equatorial climateproduced ideal growing conditions with abundant light and mild temperatures, while labor costs were dramatically lower than in the US. The Andean Trade Preference Act later eliminated tariffs on Colombian flower imports, accelerating the shift. By the 1980s, Colombia was the leading supplier of cut flowers to the United States, and many domestic growers had shut down or shifted to potted plants and specialty varieties.By 2024, the United States imported a record$1.98 billionin cut flowers. Colombia supplied over 80% of imports at$1.59 billion, followed by Ecuador at $693 million. American growers produced only about $350 million domestically. California still leads domestic production at 60% of US cut flower sales, but many of its growers now focus on specialty varieties too delicate for long-distance transport.In 2025, new tariffs were placed on Colombian imports (from 0% to 10%) and Ecuadorian imports (from 6.8% to 15%), creating uncertainty in an industry operating on thin margins

COECEQ +1

🌍 observance May 24

The Battle of Pichincha Day

Independence. The rebels in Quito, Ecuador, declared independence from Spain, triggering conflicts with Spanish loyalists and setting the stage for the Battle of Pichincha

ECES

📅 holiday Nov 30

St Andrew's Day

Saint Andrew’s Day is celebrated every 30 November in Scotland. The day celebrates the Feast of Saint Andrew and is also considered Scotland’s National Day. In 2026, Saint Andrew's Day falls on Monday 30 November. The holiday will be on Tuesday 30 November in 2027. *Please refer to this note for Scotland-specific information. This patron saint day was declared a bank holiday in 2006 by the Scottish Parliament although banks are not required to close if they do not wish to. If 30 November occurs on a weekend, the bank holiday is moved to the following Monday. Saint Andrew is notable in that he was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and was also the brother of Saint Peter. Before following Jesus, Andrew was a fisherman. He was born at Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. The main colour you will see in Scotland on Saint Andrew’s Day is the white diagonal cross on blue background of the Scottish flag – the Saltire. This is the Saint Andrew’s cross, and represents the shape of the cross on which Saint Andrew was said to have been crucified. The history of the Scottish link to Saint Andrew goes back as far as 832AD when Óengus II promised God that if the Scots and Picts were victorious in battle against the Angles he would make Saint Andrew the patron saint of Scotland. And they were. Saint Andrew’s Day’s amazing menus include cullen skink (haddock and potato soup), highland venison casseroles, potted hough (shin) with mustard sauce and Scottish tablet (a very sweet treat). Events around Scotland include flag ceremonies, the Shindig in George Square of Glasgow that features live music, and local celebrations in the town of Saint Andrews in the Kingdom of Fife. There is also free entry to many of Scotland’s castles and attractions on the day. Scotland has a free Saint Andrew’s Day app available for iPhone and Android with Scottish and worldwide events, menu ideas and much more.