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Spain Public Holidays

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Spain Public Holidays

Searching for the national holidays in Spain? All public holidays in Spain are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Spain employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Spain and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.

Holidays in Spain

Spain’s public holidays reflect the country’s rich historical, cultural, and religious heritage. As a predominantly Catholic country, many of the holidays are tied to Christian traditions, though there are also secular and national holidays that celebrate Spain’s history and modern-day events. Some holidays are celebrated nationwide, while others are region-specific, showcasing the diverse culture and customs across Spain’s autonomous communities.

National Holidays

Several holidays are observed nationwide in Spain, representing key moments in the country’s history and important cultural or religious celebrations. These holidays foster a sense of national unity, and many involve public festivities, parades, and family gatherings.

New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)

  • Date: January 1
  • Significance: Marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.
  • Traditions:
    • According to thedresswizard.com, the New Year is welcomed with family gatherings and celebrations on New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja), with many Spaniards participating in the custom of eating 12 grapes at midnight. Each grape is eaten in sync with the clock striking 12, symbolizing good luck for the coming year.
    • New Year’s Day itself is generally quieter, with families recovering from the festivities and sharing meals together.

Epiphany (Día de los Reyes Magos)

  • Date: January 6
  • Significance: Also known as the Day of the Three Kings, Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus.
  • Traditions:
    • Epiphany is one of the most significant holidays in Spain, especially for children, as it is the day when they traditionally receive gifts from the Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos).
    • On the evening of January 5, parades known as Cabalgatas are held in cities and towns across Spain, where the Three Kings ride through the streets on floats, throwing sweets to children.
    • Families enjoy a festive meal, and a special cake called Roscón de Reyes, a round cake filled with cream or fruits, is shared. Hidden inside the cake are a small figure of a king and a bean. Whoever finds the king in their slice is crowned, while the person who finds the bean must buy the next year’s cake.

Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución)

  • Date: December 6
  • Significance: Commemorates the adoption of the Spanish Constitution in 1978, following the end of Franco’s dictatorship and the transition to democracy.
  • Traditions:
    • Constitution Day is a national holiday, marked by official ceremonies and political speeches that reflect on Spain’s democratic values.
    • Schools and government offices are closed, but the day is not widely celebrated with major public events. For many, it is an opportunity for a long weekend as it coincides with other December holidays.

Immaculate Conception (La Inmaculada Concepción)

  • Date: December 8
  • Significance: A religious holiday celebrating the belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
  • Traditions:
    • This day is marked by church services across the country, and it is an important day for Catholic Spaniards to honor the Virgin Mary.
    • In Seville, there is a tradition called Los Seises, where young boys perform a solemn dance in the Seville Cathedral in honor of the Virgin Mary.
    • It also marks the beginning of the Christmas season in many parts of Spain, with festive decorations and lights starting to appear in public spaces.

Spain’s National Day (Fiesta Nacional de España)

  • Date: October 12
  • Significance: Commemorates the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492. The day also celebrates Spain’s national identity.
  • Traditions:
    • Spain’s National Day is marked by a military parade in Madrid, attended by the royal family and government officials. The parade typically includes members of the Spanish armed forces, aircraft flyovers, and a display of national pride.
    • The day is also known as Día de la Hispanidad, celebrating the cultural ties between Spain and Latin America.
    • Across the country, various regions celebrate the day with local festivities, cultural events, and parades.

Religious Holidays

Given Spain’s strong Catholic heritage, many of the country’s public holidays are tied to Christian festivals, with some of the most important religious celebrations taking place during the Easter and Christmas periods.

Easter (Semana Santa)

  • Date: Varies (March or April, based on the Christian calendar)
  • Significance: Commemorates the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  • Traditions:
    • Easter, or Holy Week (Semana Santa), is one of the most important religious celebrations in Spain, particularly in cities like Seville, Malaga, and Granada.
    • The week is marked by solemn processions through the streets, with participants carrying religious floats known as pasos, which depict scenes from the Passion of Christ. The processions are often accompanied by traditional music and penitents dressed in hooded robes.
    • Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are the key days of celebration, with many people attending church services and family gatherings.

Christmas Day (Navidad)

  • Date: December 25
  • Significance: Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
  • Traditions:
    • Christmas in Spain is a family-oriented holiday, with large family gatherings and festive meals. Traditional foods include turrón (a type of nougat), seafood, and roasted meats.
    • While gift-giving is common, many families save their presents for Epiphany, when the Three Kings bring gifts to children.
    • Midnight Mass (La Misa del Gallo) is held on Christmas Eve, and many Spaniards attend this special church service before returning home for a late-night meal.

Assumption of Mary (La Asunción)

  • Date: August 15
  • Significance: Commemorates the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
  • Traditions:
    • The Assumption of Mary is a significant religious holiday, particularly in rural and smaller towns where local festivals are often held in her honor.
    • In some towns, religious processions and parades take place, with residents carrying statues of the Virgin Mary through the streets.
    • The holiday is also a time for summer festivities, as August is traditionally a vacation month in Spain, and many people use the holiday to attend fairs, concerts, or spend time at the beach.

Regional Holidays

Spain’s autonomous communities have their own unique holidays that reflect their regional identities, historical events, and patron saints. These holidays often highlight the diversity of Spanish culture, with each region celebrating in its own distinct way.

St. George’s Day (Día de San Jorge) – Catalonia and Aragon

  • Date: April 23
  • Significance: St. George’s Day is the patron saint’s day in both Catalonia and Aragon, where it holds special significance.
  • Traditions:
    • In Catalonia, St. George’s Day (La Diada de Sant Jordi) is celebrated as a day of love and literature. Traditionally, men give women a rose, and women give men a book, though today both roses and books are exchanged between friends, family, and partners.
    • Book fairs are held across Catalonia, particularly in Barcelona, where authors sign copies of their books and public readings take place.
    • In Aragon, the day is marked by regional celebrations and parades in honor of St. George, and many cultural events are held throughout the region.

Valencia Day (Día de la Comunidad Valenciana)

  • Date: October 9
  • Significance: Commemorates the conquest of Valencia by King James I of Aragon in 1238.
  • Traditions:
    • Valencia Day is celebrated with a series of events, including parades, fireworks, and the Moors and Christians festival, which reenacts battles between the Moors and Christians during the Reconquista.
    • The day also coincides with the feast of San Dionisio, the patron saint of lovers in Valencia, and it is traditional for people to give marzipan sweets shaped like fruits and vegetables to their loved ones.

Andalusia Day (Día de Andalucía)

  • Date: February 28
  • Significance: Celebrates the referendum held in 1980 that led to Andalusia becoming an autonomous community in Spain.
  • Traditions:
    • Andalusia Day is marked by regional celebrations that highlight the cultural heritage of the region. Schools and public institutions hold events celebrating Andalusian music, dance, and history.
    • Many towns and cities organize public festivals, concerts, and traditional meals, with typical Andalusian foods like gazpacho and jamón being served.

Secular and International Holidays

Some public holidays in Spain are secular or internationally recognized, reflecting the country’s participation in global traditions and its secular society.

Labor Day (Día del Trabajador)

  • Date: May 1
  • Significance: Celebrates the contributions of workers and labor movements.
  • Traditions:
    • Labor Day in Spain is marked by demonstrations and rallies organized by labor unions and workers’ organizations to advocate for workers’ rights.
    • For many Spaniards, the day is a public holiday and a time to relax, spend time with family, or enjoy outdoor activities.

Spain Public Holidays

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