The year-end rush is officially on! As the holiday season approaches, the Philippine government, through the Official Gazette, has released the confirmed list of nationwide regular and special non-working days for December 2025, promising Filipinos five strategic days off for rest, celebration, and long weekends.
Whether you’re planning a trip, a family reunion, or a last-minute shopping spree, understanding the holiday classifications and the corresponding pay rules is essential for a stress-free close to the year.
Your December 2025 Holiday Calendar
December offers a powerful combination of national and religious observances, culminating in two of the longest celebration stretches of the year.
| Date | Day | Holiday Type | Observance |
| December 8 | Monday | Special Non-Working | Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary |
| December 24 | Wednesday | Special Non-Working | Christmas Eve |
| December 25 | Thursday | Regular Holiday | Christmas Day |
| December 30 | Tuesday | Regular Holiday | Rizal Day |
| December 31 | Wednesday | Special Non-Working | Last Day of the Year |
The combination of December 6 (Saturday), December 7 (Sunday), and December 8 (Monday) creates an instant three-day long weekend.
Mandatory Pay Rules: DOLE’s Strict Reminder
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is reminding all employers to strictly adhere to the wage guidelines, most recently emphasized in Labor Advisory No. 14. These rules ensure fair compensation, especially during this busiest and most expensive time of the year.
Here is the essential breakdown of the pay rules for the five December holidays:
I. Regular Holidays (December 25 and 30)
These are fully paid legal holidays, which carry the highest compensation premium.
| Scenario | Pay Rate for First 8 Hours | Overtime (Beyond 8 Hours) |
| No Work | 100% of daily wage (Mandatory Paid Rest Day) | Not Applicable |
| Reporting to Work | 200% of daily wage | An additional 30% of the hourly rate on top of the 200% hourly rate |
| Work on Rest Day | 260% of daily wage ($200\% \times 130\%$ ) | An additional 30% of the hourly rate on top of the 260% hourly rate |
Key Note: The 100% pay for unworked regular holidays is conditional on the employee being present or on paid leave on the day preceding the holiday.
II. Special Non-Working Holidays (December 8, 24, and 31)
These holidays operate under the principle of “No Work, No Pay,” but offer a significant premium for those who are required to render service.
| Scenario | Pay Rate for First 8 Hours | Overtime (Beyond 8 Hours) |
| No Work | No Pay (Unless company policy/CBA dictates otherwise) | Not Applicable |
| Reporting to Work | 150% of the basic daily wage | An additional 30% of the hourly rate on top of the 130% hourly rate |
| Work on Rest Day | 150% of basic daily wage | An additional 30% of the hourly rate on top of the 150% hourly rate |
Plan Your Breaks: Long Weekend Opportunities
December 2025 is particularly generous, offering a major opportunity for extended rest periods:
- Three-Day Weekend: December 6 (Sat), 7 (Sun), 8 (Mon).
- Four-Day Christmas Break: By taking a single day of leave on December 26 (Friday), the December 24 (Wed), 25 (Thu) break extends to four days (Dec 24-28).
- Four-Day New Year Break: Similarly, taking a leave on January 1 (Thursday) can turn the December 30 (Tue), 31 (Wed) holidays into a long weekend extending until January 4, 2026.
These dates are a critical factor for all sectors—from manufacturing and retail to corporate offices—to finalize year-end operations, payroll processing, and staffing requirements.