The following Monday, November 17th, is one of the last holidays of the year and corresponds to the anniversary of the transfer of Cartagena’s independence. This date is a historical date recognized by the country since the 19th century, and as a result of the Emiliani Law, it was moved to the nearest Monday to create a long weekend of celebration.
This practice has been in place since 1983 and is intended to unify celebrations and promote collective rest, in addition to stimulating the tourism economy by increasing the flow of travelers over the long weekend.
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The original date of Cartagena’s independence was November 11th, and is associated with the declaration of Cartagena’s autonomy from the Spanish Crown in 1811.
Over time, this declaration became a symbol of the independence process and was established as one of the most defining moments of the movement seeking a break from colonial rule.
The decision to move the commemoration to Monday is in response to a policy of organizing public holidays that has been in place for more than 40 years and is still in force in the country’s calendar.
According to the Ministry of Finance’s official plan, there will be 18 public holidays in the country in 2025. At the time of writing this information, the 15th has already been completed and there are only 3 days left until the end of the year. Monday, November 17th, Monday, December 8th, which corresponds to the Day of the Immaculate Conception, and Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th. This record does not include local or regional celebrations that may be applied in some regions according to their own traditions.
Holiday weekends are typically an opportunity for the public to plan short trips, family activities, and early year-end shopping.Especially in cities with high demand for tourism.
For sectors such as transport, accommodation and commerce, these dates will result in increased operations, requiring intensified shifts, adjustment of routes and maintenance of special precautions. In contrast, for someone working a regular schedule, the day is a paid non-work day unless they are performing a critical service that guarantees continuity.
Changes to working conditions for holiday work are defined by the Labor Reform of 2025, known as Law 2466. The law sets the premium for Sunday and holiday work at 80% of normal hours starting July 1, and is scheduled to increase to 90% from July 2026 and 100% from July 2027. This provision will be implemented in phases to allow for adjustments in shift-dependent sectors. We continue to rotate, particularly in the areas of health, surveillance, transportation, and hospitality.
Nighttime surcharges will also officially start from 7pm due to revisions.recognizes the impact of work during those hours and adjusts calculations for those who provide services outside of traditional daytime hours. These measures will require employers to review their operating schemes, whether individual or collective collective agreements, to ensure that payments meet the minimum standards set out in current regulations.
For workers who have to work on November 17, the payment must include a special premium equal to 80% of the current rate, unless there is a written agreement to improve conditions or to establish additional compensation that does not reduce the rights recognized by law. Employers will need to document hours worked, record applicable shifts, and ensure that settlements are made in a way that respects the progressiveness defined by the reform.
The celebration of independence in Cartagena maintains its importance in the civic calendar not only because of its historical value, but also because it is one of the last opportunities of the year for families to organize rest activities.. In most cities, the long festival weekend is a time of high foot traffic, both for domestic travel and departures to tourist destinations. In urban areas, some businesses are adjusting business hours or increasing staff to accommodate more tourists.
On the other hand, the application of the Emiliani law continues to provoke debate in certain quarters, who believe that some holidays should be kept with their original dates in order to preserve the historical meaning of their respective commemorations. Some have defended the model, pointing to its positive impact on domestic tourism and the distribution of rest days throughout the year.
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