The Philippines has two tiers of public holidays: Regular Holidays (with full pay regardless of whether employees work) and Special Non-Working Days (with different pay rules). For businesses employing Filipino remote workers — a major segment of the global outsourcing industry — understanding both tiers is important for payroll compliance and scheduling.
Regular Holidays 2026
- 1 January — New Year's Day
- 9 April — Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor / Bataan Day)
- 3 April — Good Friday
- 4 April — Black Saturday
- 1 May — Labour Day
- 12 June — Independence Day
- 25 August — National Heroes Day (last Monday of August)
- 1 November — All Saints' Day
- 30 November — Bonifacio Day
- 25 December — Christmas Day
- 30 December — Rizal Day
Special Non-Working Days 2026
- 2 January — Special Non-Working Day
- 5 April — Easter Sunday
- 9 August — Ninoy Aquino Day
- 2 November — All Souls' Day
- 24 December — Christmas Eve
- 31 December — Last Day of the Year
The Holiday Pay Difference
Regular Holidays mean employees not required to work receive 100% pay; employees who do work receive 200%. Special Non-Working Days follow a different rule: employees who do not work receive no additional pay (no-work, no-pay); those who do work receive 130% of their daily rate. For employers of Filipino remote contractors, clarify in contracts which holidays apply.
Christmas in the Philippines: The World's Longest Holiday Season
The Philippines has one of the longest Christmas seasons globally. From 1 September ("BER months" — September, October, November, December), holiday mood begins. Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Year's Eve (31 December) are Special Non-Working Days, but expect reduced productivity from mid-December through early January.
Managing Filipino Remote Workers' Holiday Schedules
Philippine holidays often differ significantly from US/European schedules. Align on which holidays the employee will observe in their contract. The long Christmas season affects productivity more than individual holidays.
View the full list of Philippines public holidays and add them to your Google Calendar at autolidays.com/holidays/philippines
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Regular Holiday and a Special Non-Working Day in the Philippines?
Regular Holidays require employers to pay employees even if they don't work. Special Non-Working Days follow a no-work, no-pay rule unless the employment contract specifies otherwise.
Are Philippine holidays the same every year?
Most Regular Holidays fall on fixed dates. However, the president can declare additional Special Non-Working Days, which are announced by proclamation each year. The list above covers confirmed and typically declared holidays.
How many public holidays does the Philippines have in 2026?
There are 10 Regular Holidays and 6 Special Non-Working Days, totalling 16 officially recognized non-working days.
Track All Philippine Holidays Automatically
Stop manually tracking Philippine holidays. Autolidays syncs both Regular Holidays and Special Non-Working Days directly to your Google Calendar. Visit autolidays.com/holidays/philippines to get started.