Panama National Day

Panama National Day

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  1. 1903Separation from Colombia
  2. 1821Independence from Spain
  3. 1904Republican institutions established

The story behind the day

Panama celebrates Separation Day on 3 November, marking the 1903 separation from Colombia and the formation of the Republic of Panama. It begins a month packed with patriotic dates.

November is known as Mes de la Patria, with several civic holidays close together. The season links independence from Spain, separation from Colombia and national symbols into one long public celebration.

Today Panama City and towns across the country hold parades with marching bands, pollera dresses, drums and flags. The national month is one of the best times to see Panama's civic pride in public.

  1. 20263 November 2026 · Tuesday
  2. 20273 November 2027 · Wednesday
  3. 20283 November 2028 · Friday
The flag
Panama flag

The Panamanian flag has red and blue quarters and two stars on a white field. The colours are linked with the historic political parties, while white represents peace between them.

Panamanian independence celebrations call for sancocho, tamales and seafood ceviche from the Pacific coast — food that reflects the country at the crossroads of the Americas.

What to eat

Sancocho panameñoChicken stew with yam, corn and culantro herbs — Panama's national dish, slow-cooked in every Panamanian household.
CevicheFresh corvina marinated in lime juice with onion and chilli — Panama's Pacific coast classic.
Tamales panameñosCorn masa stuffed with chicken and vegetables, wrapped in banana leaves — distinctly Panamanian, richer than Mexican tamales.
Ropa viejaShredded braised beef with tomatoes, peppers and onion — brought from Spain and made Panamanian over generations.
Tortilla panameñaThick fried corn tortilla — eaten with cheese and eggs for breakfast on national holidays.
Arroz con polloYellow rice cooked with chicken, capers and olives — the standard Panamanian party dish.

What to drink

Seco HerreranoPanamanian sugarcane spirit — the national drink of Panama, drunk with milk or in cocktails.
Chicha fuerteFermented corn or fruit drink — a traditional Panamanian celebratory beverage with Indigenous roots.
ChichemeSweet corn drink with cinnamon and milk — sold at street stalls and festivals across Panama.
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Culture on National Day

Panama celebrates three separate independence days — from Spain (November 3), from Colombia (November 28) and the separation from Colombia (November 3, 1903). The November festivals are the most festive, with parades and pollera dances.

Pollera costumePanama's national dress for women — elaborate hand-embroidered white skirts worn at independence parades.
Desfile de Las Mil PollerasThe Parade of a Thousand Polleras in Las Tablas — one of the most spectacular folk costume parades in Latin America.
Tamborito dancePanama's national dance — performed in pollera and montuno costume, combining African and Spanish rhythms.
Mola textile artIntricate reverse-appliqué textile art from the Guna people — displayed at cultural events and sold at markets.