Good Friday is a significant religious holiday in Panama, often marked with elaborate processions and solemn ceremonies. This day is a public holiday in the country, reflecting the strong influence of the Catholic Church in Panama. It is the Friday before Easter Sunday in the Holy Week, directly following Maundy Thursday, and observes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his suffering and death at Calvary, according to Christian belief.
Good Friday in Panama is an occasion for devout expressions of faith. Local parishes organize processions, drawing crowds of locals and tourists alike. Images of Christ and the Virgin Mary, sometimes life-size, are carried through the streets, simulating the journey to Calvary. Traditional music and devotees dressed as Roman soldiers add to the atmosphere, and it's not uncommon to see participants walking barefoot or carrying a cross in penance.
Apart from the processions, it is a day of tranquility and prayer, with many Panamanians attending church for special services. Most businesses and schools are closed as it is a public holiday. The day is also marked by fasting and abstinence from meat, a tradition observed by the majority of the population. In the evening, families get together to share a meal, usually featuring fish and other seafood, in keeping with the tradition of refraining from meat on Good Friday.