The Nicaraguan calendar is full of National Holidays, as well as Local Holidays that are celebrated only in certain areas of Nicaragua. As Nicaragua is a strong Catholic nation it also enjoys holidays that are dedicated in the honor of saints as well as enjoying holidays from being a part of Central America.

Religious holidays tend to have a float of the saint in celebration, whilst most holidays in general will have festivals that involve much rum and beer drinking, colourful scenes, fireworks, music, dancing and plenty of laughter and enjoyment.

Below is a list of dates of the Nicaraguan National Holidays, if you are visiting the country when a holiday is on, it would be a great opportunity to experience some classic Nicaraguan culture.

January
New Years Day – celebrated nationally

February
1st - Air Force Day – National holiday in honor of their air force

April
1st Thursday of April – Holy Thursday – celebrated nationally
Friday following Holy Thursday – Good Friday – celebrated nationally

May
1st – Labour Day – celebrated nationally
27th – Army Day – National holiday in honor of their army

July
19th – Liberation Day – Nationally celebrates when the Liberation Army defeated the Somoze dictatorship
25th – Fiesta de Santiago – celebrated in Boaco, Somoto and Managua
26th –Fiesta de Santa Ana – celebrated in Nandiae, Niquinohomo, Moyogalpa and Ometepe

August
1st – Fiesta de Santa Domingo – celebrated in Managua
8th-16th – Fiesta de San Roque – celebrated in Chinandega
14th & 15th – Fiesta de Asuncion – celebrated in Masaya, Granada, Juigalpa and Ocotal

September
14th – Battle of San Jacinto- National holiday that celebrates the aniversary of the battle in 1856
15th – Independence Day – National holiday celebrating Central America’s Independence in 1821
20th – Fiesta de San Jeronimo – celebrated in Masaya and Leon
24th – Virgen de Mercedes – celebrated in Leon and Chinandega
29th – Fiesta de San Miguel – celebrated in Masaya

October
Every Saturday in October – Mes del Rosario – celebrated in Granada
Every Sunday in October – Festividades de San Jeronimo – celebrated in Masaya
29th – Fiesta de San Rafael – celebrated in Pueblo Nuevo

November
Fiesta de San Diego – celebrated in Altagracia and Ometepe
2nd – All Soul’s Day – celebrated nationally

December
7th – Immaculate Conception – celebrated in Leon
8th – Immaculate Conception – celebrated nationally (except Leon)
12th – Procesion de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Celebrated in Masaya
13th – Fiesta de Santa Lucia – celebrated in Leon
25th – Christmas Day – celebrated nationally
25th – Dia del Ninos Dios – celebrated in Masaya and Esteli
31st – New Years Eve – celebrated nationally
31st – Fiesta de San Silvestre – celebrated in Catarina

This article was written by Thomas Ross, a web consultant for Nicaragua Vacations