📅 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

View all →

📅 holiday Feb 10

Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck

The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is a holiday unique to Malta because it was on Malta that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked around the year A.D. 60. In 2027, Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck falls on Wednesday 10 February. The holiday will be on Thursday 10 February in 2028. The feast is kept on February 10th each year, and as Paul is the patron saint of Malta, it is a much-anticipated event. Out of dozens of “saint days” on the church calendar in Malta, the Feast of Saint Paul is one of only a handful that have the status of a national holiday. The account of Paul’s shipwreck and three-month, wintertime stay on Malta is found in the Bible’s Acts 27:27 through 28:11. He was being taken to Rome as a prisoner to eventually stand trial before Caesar. God let him know in advance he would be shipwrecked but would spare the lives of all on board, which promise was later kept and in answer to Paul’s prayers for their lives. The Bible says the storm was in the Adriatic Sea, though Malta borders the Ionian Sea, because in ancient times, the Adriatic’s boundaries were considered to extend much farther south. The ship broke up on the rocks near the shores of Malta, and all swam ashore. The local population greeted them, but thought he might be a murderer whom the “goddess of justice” had finally caught up with after he was bitten by a poisonous snake. After he lived, however, they supposed him to be, perhaps, a god. Paul, however, soon showed them it was God’s power at work in a mere man by healing the governor of the island, Publius, and many others who were sick or disabled among the island’s population. No doubt, Paul preached the Gospel to them as well, and when he left Malta, the inhabitants gave him all necessary supplies out of gratitude. The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is kept at the “Parish Church of Saint Paul Shipwrecked” in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. It is also a day of processions and family get-togethers. Three things to do should you visit Malta, though hopefully not be shipwrecked there, on February 10th are:

🎉 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

📅 holiday Feb 23

Defender of the Fatherland Day

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a public holiday in RU.

📅 holiday Mar 19

St Joseph's Day

Every 19 March is celebrated as Saint Joseph’s Day in Roman Catholic cantons of the Swiss Confederation. In 2027, St Joseph's Day falls on Friday 19 March. The holiday will be on Sunday 19 March in 2028. However, in recent years, people have paid it less and less mind, and many local businesses in these regions don’t even close on Saint Joseph’s Day like they used to. Interestingly, there are two different religious feast days dedicated to Joseph in Roman Catholicism. Saint Joseph’s Day focuses on his role as the husband of Mary and “step father” of the child Jesus. But on 1 May, Saint Joseph the Worker day focuses on his role as the patron saint of all carpenters. There aren’t many events in areas of Switzerland celebrating Saint Joseph’s Day on 19 March. For those who have the day off, it is often spent relaxing, shopping or getting outdoors in the Spring weather.

CHESVA +1