The First Long Weekend of 2026: Who Needs to Work on February 2?
The first extended weekend of 2026 arrives with a mandatory rest day for working individuals in Mexico. On February 2, 2026, people are required to take this day off due to the commemoration of the promulgation of Mexico’s Constitution of 1917, even though the official celebration is on February 5.
Why Aren’t We Working on February 2?
Mexico’s Constitution was promulgated on February 5, 1917, in Querétaro. To accommodate long weekends, Mexican labor legislation moves this observance to the nearest Monday, which in 2026 falls on February 2.
Mandatory Rest
This mandatory rest day means that workers are not obligated to perform their duties, except if there’s an agreement between the employee and employer.
Schools Enjoy an Extended Break
The Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) announced that basic education students will have an even longer break, from Friday, January 30 (due to a School Technical Council meeting) until February 2, totaling four days without in-person classes.
Banks and Stock Exchange Close
The financial sector will also suspend operations on February 2. According to provisions from the National Banking and Securities Commission, banks and the Mexican Stock Exchange will not be open to the public. However, online banking, telephone services, and ATMs will remain available. Branches inside supermarkets or shopping centers can operate normally.
How Much Will You Be Paid if You Work on February 2?
If an individual agrees to work on this day, the Mexican Federal Labor Law (LFT) stipulates that they should receive:
- Their regular daily wage, plus double pay as an additional amount.
In practical terms, this means you’ll be paid triple for that day’s work.
For example, someone earning the daily minimum wage of 315.04 Mexican pesos should receive 945.12 pesos for working on February 2.
This payment is independent of vacation periods; holidays cannot be deducted from vacation days.
Penalties for Non-compliance
Yes, the labor law imposes penalties on employers who fail to comply. Fines can range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of pesos per affected worker, with no exemption from paying what is due.
February 2: Día de la Candelaria
February 2 also marks the Día de la Candelaria, a cultural and religious tradition where people share tamales and atole. Although it’s a significant date, it is not an official holiday under labor law.
Number of Official Holidays in Mexico
The LFT recognizes nine mandatory rest days per year. Following February 2, the next one will be on the third Monday of March, celebrating Benito Juárez’s birthday.
Mexico has one of the fewest official holidays in its labor legislation compared to international standards.
