In Paraguay, public holidays are more than a simple break from work. These days are an excuse for celebration, connection, and taking life at a slower pace. Whether a holiday falls on a Monday or a Wednesday, it begins the night before, with clubs packed and bars buzzing late into the early hours.
It is almost an unwritten rule: no matter the day, Paraguayans know how to make the most of a free morning.
The atmosphere in cities such as Asunción shifts quickly. Palma Street downtown, usually crowded with buses, cars, and street vendors, becomes a space for walking and gathering. Cafés and restaurants move their tables into the open air, street musicians perform, and families stroll with tereré in hand. These are moments when the city breathes differently, with less urgency and more joy.
A reason to travel or return home
For many, public holidays are also an opportunity to reconnect with their roots. Paraguayans with family in towns outside the capital often use the long weekend to travel.
Routes fill with buses and shared rides as people head to places such as Villarrica, San Juan Bautista, or Concepción to visit grandparents, cousins, or old friends. In small towns, it is common to gather around a large pot of vorí vorí (Paraguayan soup) or asado (barbecue), with children running barefoot while adults share stories under mango trees.
These getaways are not always planned far in advance. Sometimes all it takes is a Friday off and a touch of sunshine for plans to come together. Social media fills with images of rivers, countryside sunsets, and the unmistakable glow of chipa being baked over firewood.
Celebrations in the city
Those who remain in Asunción often embrace the festive spirit in a different way. The night before a holiday is a particularly popular time for nightlife, whether at a packed boliche (nightclub), a rooftop bar in Carmelitas, or a casual gathering at a friend’s house with beers and karaoke.
Young people especially treat it as an unofficial weekend evening, and ride-hailing apps or shared cars are in high demand well after midnight.
On the holiday itself, outdoor spaces come alive. Parks such as Ñu Guasu, Costanera, and Plaza Uruguaya are filled with walkers, families, and cyclists. Food trucks line the pavements, while in the afternoon small events or concerts appear in neighbourhood squares. Even shopping centres attract crowds, often featuring live music or artisan stalls that create a fair-like atmosphere.
Tradition meets festivity
Many public holidays in Paraguay are deeply rooted in history, religion, or culture. Independence Day on 14–15 May is marked with parades and military displays, particularly in the capital. Families wave the national flag, schools put on performances, and the patriotic mood lingers for days.
Another significant date is the Feast of the Virgin of Caacupé on 8 December. Pilgrims walk for miles, sometimes barefoot, to the Basilica of Caacupé, a spiritual journey that attracts hundreds of thousands of Paraguayans. Fireworks light up the sky, and many sleep outdoors near the church before the massive morning mass.
Then there are more festive holidays such as San Juan Ára in late June, which blend tradition with amusement. People play traditional games like pelota tatá (football with a flaming ball), eat delicacies such as mbejú and chipa guasu, and enjoy lively festivals that last late into the night.
Everyday joy, national rhythm
Living in Paraguay means learning that public holidays are not only about marking a date, but also about reconnecting with life’s simple pleasures. A barbecue, a road trip, a lazy afternoon in a hammock, or a night out dancing are all part of how Paraguayans reset and recharge.
It is that mix of spontaneity and tradition that makes holidays here feel special, no matter where you are in the country. Whether you are a visitor discovering Asunción’s transformed streets on a bank holiday or a returning Paraguayan hopping on a bus back to your hometown, one thing remains certain: Paraguay celebrates together.
