Contents of this guide
What is confirmed, with dates
On 7 October 2026 the Panama City Mayor’s Office presented the City of Stars International Christmas Festival, with an investment of 3.3 million dollars and more than 30 activities between December 2026 and January 2027, according to La Estrella de Panamá. A New Year’s party on 31 December appears in that agenda. The reports consulted give no venue, time or program, so at the close of this note the details of that night are not confirmed.
On 1 January 2026 Mayor Mayer Mizrachi proposed creating an annual event to welcome the year and make Panama a New Year destination, according to La Estrella de Panamá. The report gave no date, program or fireworks plan, and the Cinta Costera appeared only in an illustrative image, not as a confirmed venue.
| Date | What | Status on 13 October |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 18 December | Calles que Brillan, neighborhood lights | Announced |
| Sunday 6 December | Tree lighting, Mirador Pacífico | Announced |
| Saturday 12 December | Christmas parade on the Cinta Costera | Announced |
| Thursday 31 December | New Year’s party | No venue or time |
| Friday 1 January | New Year’s Day, public holiday | Holiday calendar |
| 6 and 7 January | Three Kings party | Announced |
Sources: La Estrella de Panamá, reports of 7 and 8 October 2026 citing the Mayor’s Office agenda. Weekdays for December and January come from the calendar.
Fireworks: what the rules and firefighters say
No new national fireworks ban was found for this year-end. Published rules and safety advice do exist. The Fire Department, through its national fire safety and investigation directorate (DINASEPI), asked in December 2025 that minors not light or handle fireworks, not even low-risk ones such as sparklers and small pops, and that any device be used with a responsible adult, in open, clear spaces and away from people, animals and flammable materials, according to Panamá América.
On sales, a 2019 report says the Ministry of Security bans street sales of fireworks nationwide and their distribution to temporary stalls and street vendors, under Ministerial Resolution 008 of 2017, according to Panamá América. A 2018 report explains that merchants apply for the permit at the Ministry’s public security directorate (DIASP), according to Panamá América. These reports are old, so it is worth confirming with the Ministry of Security that the rules still apply.
The most recent rule that could be opened is local. Mayoral Decree 010 of 17 September 2024 of the Municipality of Colón, published in Official Gazette 30149-A, governs the Colón district only, not the rest of the country. Among other things, it bans fireworks inside homes and enclosed spaces, allows their use at Christmas and New Year, bars minors from handling them, sets fines for anyone who gives them to minors and bans sales to minors and to intoxicated people.
Hotels, dinners and concerts on 31 December
As of 13 October 2026, no hotel or venue party, dinner or concert for 31 December this year was found in an official or organizer source in Panama. Programs from earlier years, such as the 2025 dinner and open-bar packages, are no guide to dates or prices. For that reason this article lists no hotels or rates.
Concerts with confirmed dates are gathered in the guide to concerts in Panama, which is updated with the box office. When a hotel, venue or artist announces something for the 31st, the valid source is its own website or the official ticket office.
What opens, what closes and how to get around
31 December is not listed as a public holiday in the Panama public holidays calendar; the holiday is 1 January, a Friday in 2027. For shops, banks and supermarkets, no 2026 hours have been announced in official sources.
The Panama Metro has not published its year-end hours. The latest precedent is from 2024: it ran until 11:00 p.m. on 31 December and on 1 January opened at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 10:00 p.m., according to TVN. Those hours are not assumed to apply in 2026. Lines and fares are in the guide to the Panama Metro. No traffic plan or street closures have been announced for the 31st either.
Those traveling abroad over these dates can check what travel insurance covers for cancellation, interruption and flight delay. For domestic tourism, sector figures are in the article on tourism in Panama.
How to follow official information
- Check the Panama City Mayor’s Office agenda for the venue, time and program of the 31 December New Year’s party.
- Ask the Ministry of Security and the Fire Department about this season’s fireworks rules.
- Wait for the Metro’s notice with hours for 31 December and 1 January.
- Book only on the organizer’s website or ticket office once a hotel or venue announces its party.
- Come back to this note in November and December, when more announcements are expected.
This content is informational and is based on sources consulted on 13 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is confirmed for New Year’s Eve in Panama?
The Panama City Mayor’s Office lists a New Year’s party on 31 December in its Christmas agenda, according to La Estrella de Panamá. No venue, time or program had been published as of 13 October 2026.
Are there hotel New Year’s parties in Panama this year?
As of 13 October 2026 none is confirmed in an official or organizer source. Hotels usually announce programs closer to the date, and the valid information is whatever each hotel publishes.
Are fireworks banned in Panama?
No national ban was found for this year-end. Firefighters ask that minors not handle fireworks and that they be used outdoors with a responsible adult. In the Colón district a municipal decree sets rules and fines.
Is 31 December a public holiday in Panama?
No. The holiday calendar lists 1 January as New Year’s Day. In 2027 it falls on a Friday.
Until what time does the Metro run on 31 December?
The Metro has not announced 2026 hours. In 2024 it ran until 11:00 p.m. on 31 December, and that figure is only a precedent.
Related articles
- Concerts in Panama: dates, venues and tickets
- Panama public holidays calendar
- The Panama Metro: lines, fares and hours
Sources
- La Estrella de Panamá, Mayor’s Office allocates 3.3 million to the 2026 Christmas Festival, 7 October 2026.
- La Estrella de Panamá, Panama will light its Christmas tree on 6 December, 8 October 2026.
- La Estrella de Panamá, proposal for an annual New Year event, 1 January 2026.
- Panamá América, firefighters reinforce fireworks safety advice, 12 December 2025.
- Panamá América, Ministry of Security and fireworks sales, 2019, and sales permits, 2018.
- Official Gazette 30149-A, Mayoral Decree 010 of the Municipality of Colón, 28 October 2024.
- TVN, Panama Metro hours on 31 December 2024.
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