What Are All the Holidays in November in Panama?
Last Updated on October 26, 2025 by Retire in Panama
Panama and its people love their holidays, and they seem to group them from March–April with Carnival and November with Independence Day. It is Independence Month in November, with five national holidays to celebrate. Government offices, banks, and many services are closed, but restaurants and retail remain open.
The streets are lined with Panama flags, and the parks and government buildings are dressed up in Panama flag colors, blue, red, and white, preparing for the festivities.
School kids begin practicing for the parades in July, drumming every day in preparation for the big parade days. If you lived near a school, you would hear it every day. Last year, there were no drums and no celebrations. Let’s look at the independence holidays of Panama.
November 2nd – All Souls’ Day (Day of the Dead)
All Souls’ Day is dedicated to remembering the departed. Families gather at cemeteries to pray for the souls of their loved ones and share stories about them. Events: Similar to All Saints’ Day, families visit cemeteries to remember loved ones. Some communities may also hold vigils or religious services. Food: Tamales, along with other traditional dishes like arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) and sancocho (a hearty stew), are commonly served.
This is typically a ley seca (dry day – no alcohol can be purchased or served to you). Also, no loud music is permitted.
November 3rd – Separation Day
It is Panama’s National Day. This holiday celebrates the independence of Panama from Colombia in 1903. Until 1821, Panama was governed as part of the Viceroyalty of Peru. On November 28th, 1821, Panama became independent from Spain. The region was not within the Republic of Greater Colombia, known as Gran Colombia. Panama sought independence and came close in 1831, when Ecuador and Venezuela left Gran Colombia.
In 1903, Colombia and Panama disagreed over allowing the US to build the Canal. With the support of the USA, Panama broke away from Colombia on November 3rd, 1903.
November 4th – Flag Day
Panamanian Flag Day is celebrated on November 4th, the day after Panama’s separation from Colombia. It is one of a series of holidays celebrated in November known as the Fiestas Patrias.
Panama’s current flag was designed in 1903 by the family of the country’s leader, Manuel Amador Guerrero. The stars and quarters stand for rival political parties, and the white sands for the peace in which they operate.
November 5th – Colón Day
The celebration marks the day in 1903 when the citizens of Colón stopped the advance of the Colombian army heading to Panama City.
November 10th – Los Santos Uprising Day 
This holiday commemorates the beginning of Panama’s struggle for independence from Spain. The event that started an anti-Spanish uprising in La Villa de Los Santos was Grito de La Villa de Los Santos. On November 10th, 1821, a young woman named Rufina Alfaro led a group of Panamanians shouting, “Viva la Libertad.”
This group, armed with sticks and stones, overtook the Spanish barracks without bloodshed. Some people believe that Rufina Alfaro was just a legend, but the uprising did occur, and the citizens of the Azuero Peninsula declared their independence from Spain.
November 28th – Independence Day
This day marks Panama’s separation from Spain in November of 1821. Many Panamanians consider Panama’s independence from Spain as genuine independence because Panama gained freedom from colonizers. Although both November 3rd, Separation Day, and November 28th, Independence Day, are celebrated with parades and flags in Panama.
Many locals consider November in Panama the Month of the Motherland or “El Mes de la Patria,” dedicated to Panama’s independence.
Some say you should not visit Panama during November, as it can be crazy here with parades, parties, and local tourism. I say the opposite: experience the culture, history, and people of this great nation, and you may fall in love with it.
In November, the streets will turn into a magical place with Panama’s people celebrating their country with parades, flags, traditional clothing, and dance, and the pride of living in an independent nation.
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