Public Holidays Spain
Public holidays in Spain are an integral part of the country's cultural heritage.
Spaniards take great pride in celebrating their rich history, traditions, and religious occasions through these festive occasions.
Spain has a unique system of public holidays, including national, regional, and local holidays, each with significance.
At the national level, several set public holidays in Spain are celebrated nationwide. These include New Year's Day, Epiphany (Three Kings' Day), Good Friday, Labor Day, Assumption Day, National Day, All Saints' Day, Constitution Day, and Christmas Day.
These national holidays are marked by various events, parades, festivals, parties and gatherings, allowing people to come together to enjoy the spirit of the occasion.
In addition to national holidays, Spain's autonomous communities or regions celebrate its holidays. These holidays vary from region to region and often commemorate local saints, historical events, or cultural traditions.
Examples of regional holidays include Catalonia's La Diada, Andalusia's Feria de Abril, and the Basque Country's Aberri Eguna. These regional holidays offer a deeper insight into the unique customs and identities of different parts of Spain.
Furthermore, within each region, local holidays are also specific to individual towns, cities, or even neighbourhoods.
These local public holidays in Spain often honour local patron saints or commemorate historical events that hold special significance to the community. They are marked by lively parades, processions, music, dance, and other festivities that unite the community in a joyful celebration of their shared heritage.
Whether it's the awe-inspiring processions during Semana Santa, the exuberant street parties of Las Fallas in Valencia, or the colourful regional festivals, each holiday provides a unique experience that reflects the cultural richness and pride of the Spanish people.
Public Holidays in Spain
January 1st - New Year's Day:
Celebrated as the first day of the year, it is a public holiday throughout Spain.
January 6th - Epiphany:
Known as Three Kings' Day, it commemorates the Three Wise Men's visit to baby Jesus. It is a day of gift-giving and festive parades.
Good Friday - (Friday before Easter Sunday):
Observes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and it is a solemn day for religious reflection and processions.
May 1st - Labour Day:
It is a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of workers and labour rights.
August 15th - Assumption of Mary:
Commemorates the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken into heaven after her death.
October 12th - National Day of Spain:
Fiesta Nacional de Espana commemorates Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas and celebrates Spanish unity and culture.
November 1st - All Saints' Day:
A day to honour and remember the deceased, families visit cemeteries to pay their respects.
December 6th - Constitution Day:
Marks the approval of the Spanish Constitution in 1978, establishing Spain as a parliamentary democracy.
December 8th - Immaculate Conception:
It celebrates the belief that the Virgin Mary was born without original sin.
December 25th - Christmas Day:
It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated with family gatherings and religious services.
Regional Public Holidays
Barcelona & Catalonia
On top of the national public holiday dates above, the following dates are local holidays applicable in Barcelona and Catalonia.
April 23rd: Sant Jordi (Saint George's Day) - Celebrates Catalonia's patron saint, Saint George, with book and rose stalls lining the streets and exchanging gifts between loved ones.
June 24th: Sant Joan (Saint John's Eve) - Marks the summer solstice with bonfires, fireworks, and traditional celebrations on the beach.
September 11th: National Day of Catalonia - Celebrates Catalonia's culture and identity, recalling the fall of Barcelona in the War of Spanish Succession.
Each municipality within the Catalonia region will also have at least two extra days of public holidays to coincide with the local Saints Day and festivals.
Madrid
On top of the national public holiday dates above, the following dates are local holidays applicable in Madrid.
May 2nd: Community of Madrid Day - Celebrates the autonomy of the Community of Madrid with cultural events and activities.
May 2nd Saturday: Feast of Saint Isidore - The official holiday of Madrid City Hall, celebrating the city's patron saint with music, dance, and traditional events.
May 15th: San Isidro - Honors the patron saint of Madrid, San Isidro Labrador, with traditional festivities, processions, and concerts.
November 9th: Feast of the Virgin of Almudena - Celebrates the patron saint of Madrid, the Virgin of Almudena, with religious ceremonies and festivities.
Each municipality within the Madrid region will also have at least two extra days of public holidays to coincide with the local Saints Day and festivals.
Andalusia
February 28th: Andalucia Day - Celebrates the region's autonomy with various cultural events, concerts, and traditional activities.
Each municipality within the Andalusia region will also have at least two extra days of public holidays to coincide with the local Saints Day and festivals.
Valencia Region
March 19th - San Jose - Honors Saint Joseph, the patron saint of fathers and workers. It is a day to recognise the importance of fathers and workers in Valencia, Spain.
June 24th - San Juan (Nit de Sant Joan) - Celebrates the summer solstice with bonfires, fireworks, and beach parties. It is a night of joyous celebrations and rituals.
October 9th - Valencian Community Day (Día de la Comunidad Valenciana) - Commemorates the Christian reconquest of Valencia in 1238. Festivities include parades, traditional dances, and cultural events.
Balearic Islands
March 1st - Balearic Day (Día de les Illes Balears) - Honors the Balearic Islands as an autonomous community. Cultural events and activities highlight the islands' traditions and heritage.
Canary Islands
May 30th - Day of the Canary Islands (Día de Canarias) - Commemorates the anniversary of the first session of the Canary Islands Parliament. Cultural activities, concerts, and exhibitions take place.
Murcia
June 9th - Regional Day of the Murcian Charter (Día de la Hispanidad y de la Region Murciana) - Commemorates the signing of the Murcian Charter in 1243. Cultural activities and festivities take place across Murcia, Spain.
Galicia
July 25th - Santiago Apostol (St. James the Apostle): Celebrated as the feast day of St. James, the patron saint of Spain, with religious processions and festivities, particularly in Santiago de Compostela.
Basque Country
July 25th - Santiago Apostol (St. James the Apostle): Celebrated as the feast day of St. James, the patron saint of Spain, with religious processions and festivities, particularly in Bilbao.
Main Patron Saint Public Holiday Dates
Here are the public holiday dates for all of Spain's major cities and regions.
January 17th - Feast of San Anton (Madrid):
Celebrates Saint Anthony the Abbot, the patron saint of animals. Blessing of animals and processions are held.
January 20th - San Sebastian Festival (Basque Country):
Honours Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of the Basque Country. Festivities include processions, music, dancing, and traditional Basque sports.
February 3rd - San Blas (Zaragoza):
Commemorates Saint Blaise, the patron saint of throat ailments. The blessing of throats takes place in churches.
April 23rd - St. George's Day (Catalonia):
Celebrates Saint George, the patron saint of Catalonia. Traditionally, books and roses are exchanged, and cultural events are held.
April 23rd - San Jorge (Aragon):
Honors Saint George, the patron saint of Aragon. Festivals, parades, and traditional activities are organized.
April 23rd - San Jordi (Balearic Islands):
Commemorates Saint George, the patron saint of the Balearic Islands. Celebrated with book and rose fairs, cultural events, and romantic gestures.
April 25th - San Marcos (Castilla y León):
Celebrates Saint Mark, the patron saint of Castilla y Leon. Traditional festivities include processions, fairs, and food markets.
May 15th - San Isidro (Madrid) :
Honours Saint Isidore the Laborer, the patron saint of Madrid. Festivities feature processions, traditional dances, and events in the city.
June 13th - San Antonio (Menorca):
Commemorates Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of Menorca. Festivals include parades, horse shows, and traditional Menorcan activities.
June 24th - San Juan (Alicante, Valencia):
Celebrates Saint John the Baptist with bonfires, fireworks, and beach parties, particularly in Alicante and Valencia.
June 29th - San Pedro (Galicia):
Honours Saint Peter, the patron saint of Galicia. Celebrations include processions, music, dancing, and traditional Galician cuisine.
September 8th - Nuestra Señora de la Victoria (Malaga):
Commemorates the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Malaga. Religious processions, concerts, and cultural events take place.
Main Festival, Carnival & Feria Calendar In Spain
January:
Three Kings' Day (6th January): Celebrated nationwide with parades and gift-giving.
February:
Carnival: Celebrated in various regions with colourful parades, costumes, and street parties. Notable carnivals include those in Tenerife, Cadiz, and Sitges.
March:
Las Fallas (15th-19th March): Held in Valencia, it features massive sculptures, fireworks, parades, and bonfires.
April:
Semana Santa (Holy Week): Celebrated across Spain, particularly in Andalusia, with religious processions, music, and traditional events.
May:
Feria de Abril (April Fair): Held in Seville, it showcases flamenco, horse shows, traditional costumes, and lively celebrations.
June:
Corpus Christi (June): Celebrated in various regions, particularly in Toledo, with processions and intricate flower carpets.
July:
San Fermin Festival (6th-14th July): Held in Pamplona, famous for the running of the bulls and lively street parties.
August:
La Tomatina (last Wednesday of August): Held in Buñol, a small village near Valencia, it's a massive tomato fight where participants throw tomatoes at each other.
September:
La Merce (24th September): Celebrated in Barcelona, featuring street parades, concerts, and fireworks.
October:
Fiesta Nacional de España (12th October): Celebrated nationwide to commemorate Spain's National Day with various events and parades.
November:
All Saints' Day (1st November): A national holiday where families visit cemeteries and honour their deceased loved ones.
December:
Christmas: Festivities include typical Christmas markets, nativity scenes, and various events leading up to the celebration of Christmas Day.