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Holidays
and Events
Recurring
National Holidays
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January
1 New Year’s Day
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March
or April Good Friday, Easter, Easter Monday
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April
14 Day of the Americas
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May
1 Labour Day
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September
15 Independence Day
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October
3 Morazán Day
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October
12 Columbus Day
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October
21 Armed Forces Day
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December
25 Christmas Day
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One
of the most important celebrations in Honduras is February
3, the feast day of the Virgin of Suyapa, the patron saint
of Honduras. The Fair of the Virgin of Suyapa takes place
from February 3 to 10 near Tegucigalpa. Most towns and
cities in Honduras have patron saints and hold annual
celebrations in their honour. One of the largest celebrations
is the Carnival at La Ceiba, held during the third week
of May. On the Saturday, there are parades, music and
merrymaking in the streets. Other popular fairs are held
in San Pedro Sula during the last week of June, in Tela
on June 13, Trujillo on June 24 and Danlí on the
last weekend of August.
Labour Day on May 1 celebrates the power of labourers
in Honduras. Rural workers take long bus rides or walk
great distances to take part in peaceful demonstrations
of solidarity in the cities on Labour Day.
Like many other Central and South American countries,
Honduras celebrates the Day of the Americas on April 14.
On June 9, Hondurans honour José Trinidad Cabañas.
Cabañas (1805-71) is remembered for his efforts
to keep the Central American federation together. He was
president of Honduras in the 1850s and made the first
attempt to build a railway in Central America. Francisco
Morazán is honoured with a special day on October
3.
Columbus Day on October 12 marks Columbus's landing in
Honduras. Independence Day, September 15, commemorates
Central America's declaration of independence from Spain
in 1821.
Shortly before Christmas, Hondurans set up a nativity
scene. They cover the baby Jesus with a blanket. On Christmas
Eve, the blanket is removed to unveil the baby. People
may attend mass on Christmas Eve, then visit relatives
until midnight. Afterwards they go outside to wish their
neighbours a merry Christmas and then feast well into
the night. On Christmas Day, there are usually presents
for the children and fireworks displays until midnight.
On New Year's Eve, Hondurans wear their best clothes.
At midnight, everyone who has been able to stay awake
goes out to wish the neighbours a happy, prosperous New
Year. As with many other Honduran holidays, music and
dancing play a large part in the festivities.
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