Ecuador Guide
Public Holidays
1 January 1 New Year's Day (Año Nuevo) Public holiday.
2 February/March Carnival (Carnaval) The week before Lent is marked by nationwide high jinks, partying and water-throwing. Beach resorts can get packed to the gills. Two days' public holiday.
3 March/April Holy Week (Semana Santa) Religious parades take place across the country during Holy Week, when many shops and services close and lots of people head to the beach. The big processions in Quito are on Good Friday. Public holidays for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
4 May 1 Labour Day (Día del Trabajo) Public holiday.
5 May 24 Battle of Pichincha (La Battala del Pinchincha). Public holiday commemorating the famous battle in 1822.
6 Last Friday in June Bank holiday
7 July 24 Birthday of Simón Bolívar Countrywide celebration of the birth of El Libertador. Public holiday.
8 August 10 Independence Day (Día de la independencia) Public holiday commemorating the nation's first independence uprising in Quito in 1809, which was thwarted.
9 October 9 Independence of Guayaquil Big celebrations in Guayaquil. Public holiday.
10 October 12 Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) Marks the discovery of the New World. Rodeos held in Los Ríos, Guayas and Manabí provinces, an expression of muntuvio culture. Public holiday.
11 November 1 All Saints' Day (Todos Los Santos)
12 November 2 All Souls' Day or Day of the Dead (Día de los Difuntos) Highland communities go to cemeteries to pay their respects with flowers, offerings of food and drink, and incantations. Colada morada, a sweet purple fruit drink, and guaguas de pan, bread figures, are eaten and drunk. Public holiday.
13 November 3 Independence of Cuenca The city's largest celebration, which merges into the preceding holidays. Public holiday.
14 December 6 Foundation of Quito Festivities across the capital, with parades, dances, bullfights and sporting events. Public holiday.
15 December 25 Christmas Day (Navidad) Public holiday.