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National Holidays
Besides the patriotic holidays, like Independence Day (July 5th), the most popular holidays which most Venezuelans observe include: Christmas day, New Year's day, Carnival, and Holy week.
Fixed Holidays:
| 1 | January | New Year's Day |
| 19 | April | Mov. Precursor de la Independencia |
| 1 | May | Labor Day |
| 24 | June | Battle of Carabobo |
| 5 | July | Firma Acta de Independencia |
| 24 | July | Birth of the Libertador (Bolivar Day) |
| 12 | October | Dia de la Raza/Columbus Day |
| 25 | December | Christmas Day |
| 31 | December | New Year's Eve (unofficial but general) |
Many businesses and commercial establisments close from the December 24 to January 1, inclusive.
Moveable Holidays:
| Feast | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
| Carnival | 11-12 Feb | 3-4 Mar | 23-24 Feb |
| Palm Sunday | 24 Mar | 13 Apr | 4 Apr |
| | Holy Thursday | 28 Mar | 17 Apr | 8 Apr |
| Good Friday | 29 Mar | 18 Apr | 9 Apr |
| Easter | 31 Mar | 20 Apr | 11 Apr |
| Ascension (banks only) | 9 May | 29 May | 20 May |
Carnival (Mardi Gras) is celebrated on Tuesdays. With the preceeding Monday being granted a holiday, most Venezuelans vacate the city and head for the beach for this extra long weekend.
As a predominately Catholic country, Venezuela observes Holy Week (between Palm Sunday and Easter). Many Venezuelans spend this week away at beaches and other popular destinations.
Major Fiestas:
The following fiestas are folkloric celebrations which can offer as much enjoyment to spectators as they do to those that participate in these colorful events.
| 6 January | La Paradura del Niño (The Parade of Baby Jesus)- Andes states of Táchira, Mérida, and Trujillo. |
| March | Los Tambores de Barlovento (The Drums of Barlovento)- Barlovento, Miranda state at the beginning of the rainy season. |
| 3 May | La Cruz de Mayo (The cross of May) - provincial towns. |
Moveable Fiestas:
| Feast | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
Corpus Christi
Los Diablos de Yare -the main cities of the Federal District, Aragua state, Miranda state, and Cojedes state | 30 May | 19 Jun | 10 Jun | |
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