2026 Holidays in Maranhão: Complete Calendar

Quick Summary

The upcoming year of 2026 is set to provide numerous extended holiday periods in Maranhão. Most commemorative dates fall on weekdays, facilitating the formation of long weekends, often referred to as "feriadões." Throughout the year, these holidays are expected to drive activity in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, transportation, and retail, particularly during prolonged rest periods. Conversely, certain essential services will need to reorganize work shifts to ensure continuous operation.

In addition to national holidays, the calendar for Maranhão includes state dates and municipal holidays specific to São Luís. The list also features optional days off, such as for Carnival and Corpus Christi, which are generally adopted by the state government and the capital's City Hall. Below is the comprehensive schedule of holidays and optional days off planned for 2026.

2026 National Holidays

The calendar includes a full roster of national holidays recognized across Brazil. These dates are fixed and apply to the entire country, including Maranhão. Several of these dates fall on Fridays or Mondays, creating opportunities for extended travel and leisure.

Here are the national holidays scheduled for 2026:

• January 1 (Thursday): Confraternização Universal (New Year's Day)
• April 3 (Friday): Sexta-feira Santa (Good Friday)
• April 21 (Tuesday): Tiradentes
• May 1 (Friday): Dia do Trabalho (Labor Day)
• September 7 (Monday): Independência do Brasil (Independence Day)
• October 12 (Monday): Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Our Lady of Aparecida)
• November 2 (Monday): Finados (All Souls' Day)
• November 15 (Sunday): Proclamação da República (Republic Day)
• November 20 (Friday): Dia da Consciência Negra (Black Awareness Day)
• December 25 (Friday): Natal (Christmas)

State and Municipal Holidays 🏛️

Beyond the federal observances, the state of Maranhão and the city of São Luís observe specific local holidays. These dates are significant for regional history and culture. The state holiday commemorates the region's adherence to Brazilian independence, while the municipal holidays celebrate the patron saints and the founding of the capital city.

The specific dates for state and municipal holidays in 2026 are:

• July 28 (Tuesday): Adesão do Maranhão à Independência do Brasil (State Holiday: Maranhão's adherence to Independence)
• September 8 (Tuesday): Aniversário de São Luís (Municipal Holiday: Anniversary of São Luís)
• June 29 (Monday): Dia de São Pedro (Municipal Holiday in São Luís)
• December 8 (Tuesday): Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Municipal Holiday in São Luís)

Optional Days Off 📅

In addition to official holidays, the calendar lists pontos facultativos (optional days off). These are days where work or school is not mandatory, often allowing for extended breaks. The state government and the São Luís City Hall typically adopt these dates.

The schedule for optional days off in 2026 includes:

• February 16 (Monday): Carnival
• February 17 (Tuesday): Carnival
• February 18 (Wednesday): Quarta-feira de Cinzas (Ash Wednesday) - until 14:00
• June 4 (Thursday): Corpus Christi
• December 24 (Thursday): Véspera de Natal (Christmas Eve)
• December 31 (Thursday): Véspera de Ano Novo (New Year's Eve)

Economic and Social Impact 💼

The structure of the 2026 calendar suggests a significant impact on the local economy. The prevalence of long weekends is anticipated to stimulate the tourism and hospitality industries. Hotels and transportation services often see increased demand during these periods.

While the extended breaks benefit leisure and retail sectors, public services and critical infrastructure must plan accordingly. Maintaining functionality requires adjusting work schedules to cover shifts that might otherwise be vacant due to the holidays. This balance between rest and service continuity is a key aspect of the annual planning for the region.