After all, is carnival a holiday or not? Every year the same doubt arises. Let’s clarify this issue once and for all. Carnival, also called Entrudo in Portugal, is a traditional festival that marks the end of winter and precedes Easter, one of the most relevant celebrations of the religious calendar.
After the days of celebration and animation, follows the period of Lent, consisting of 40 days of reflection and spiritual preparation, which culminate in the Holy Friday and, later, in the celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
But is carnival indeed a holiday?
Despite its cultural and religious importance, Carnival Tuesday is not on the list of mandatory holidays in Portugal. However, in some circumstances, it may be considered a holiday, depending on specific decisions. Confused? We started to explain.
What the law says
The Labor Code defines three categories of holidays: mandatory, optional and the respective application regime. Mandatory holidays include dates such as:
- January 1 (New Year);
- Holy Friday;
- Easter Sunday;
- April 25;
- May 1 (Labor Day);
- Body of God;
- June 10 (Portugal, Camões and Portuguese Communities);
- August 15 (Assumption of Our Lady);
- October 5 (Implementation of the Republic);
- November 1 (All Saints Day);
- December 1 (Restoration of Independence);
- December 8 (Immaculate Conception);
- December 25th (Christmas).
Optional holidays include only two dates:
- Carnival Tuesday;
- The municipal holiday of each locality.
According to the legislation, cited by the ekonomist, the optional holidays can be granted through instruments of collective labor regulation or employment contracts. Thus, in many cases, companies and unions include carnival as a holiday in their collective conventions.
How does it work in practice?
The answer depends on the activity sector and the decision of employing entities. In public function, the government can grant point tolerance, allowing workers to enjoy the day as if it were a holiday. This practice has been recurring in recent years, but the decision is made annually and is not guaranteed.
In the private sector, the decision is up to each company. There is no legal obligation to grant the day off, so it is the administration’s criterion to allow or not the dismissal of employees.
In some regions of the country, Carnival has such a great cultural and tourist relevance that local authorities and entities make a point of promoting the festivity, encouraging the participation of the population. For those who have no clearance, there is always the possibility to mark a vacation day to enjoy the celebrations, whether in Portugal or abroad.
Also read:
