Most holidays in Spain have traditionally been religious in nature. The most important are Holy (or Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Corpus Christi, the Feast of Saint James (July 25), and All Saints’ Day (November 1).
Spanish holidays and their local names
All these holidays have a cultural significance and historical background. The following table thoroughly demonstrates all Spanish holidays and their local names.
| Date | Holiday | Local name |
| Jan. 1st | New Year’s Day | Año Nuevo |
| Jan. 6th | Epiphany | Epifanía |
| March 1st | Balearic Islands Day | Día de las Islas Baleares |
| March 19th | Josef’s Day | San José |
| April 28th | San Prudencio (only Álava) | |
| May 1st | Labor Day | Primero de Mayo |
| May 2nd | Revolt against the French occupation in 1808 (Madrid only) | |
| May 15th | San Isidro (only Madrid) | |
| May 30th | Canary Islands Day (Canary Islands only) | Día de Canarias |
| June 24th | St. John’s Day (nationwide, but by law only in Catalonia) | Revetlla de Sant Joan |
| July 25th | St. James the Elder | Santiago |
| Aug. 15th | Assumption Day | Fiesta de la Asunción |
| Oct. 9th | Liberation from Moorish rule (Valencia only) | |
| Oct. 12th | National holiday | Día de la Hispanidad |
| Nov. 1st | All Saints’ Day | Todos los Santos |
| Nov. 2nd | All Souls’ Day | |
| Dec. 6th | Constitution Day | Día de la Constitución |
| Dec. 8th | Immaculate conception | Inmaculada Concepción |
| Dec. 25th | Christmas Day | Navidad |
| Dec. 26th | 2nd Christmas Day (Catalonia only) | Sant Esteve |
| Dec. 31st | New Year’s Eve | Nochevieja |
Apart from these fixed Spanish public holidays, there are some holidays that keep on fluctuating. The table below represents such holidays with their respective dates till 2027.
| Holiday | Local name | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
| Palm Sunday | Semana Santa | April 2nd | March 24th | April 13th | March 29th | March 21st |
| Maundy Thursday | Jueves Santo | April 6th | March 28th | April 17th | April 2nd | March 25th |
| Good Friday | Viernes Santo | April 7th | March 29th | April 18th | April 3rd | March 26th |
| Easter Sunday | Domingo de Pascua | April 9th | March 31st | April 20th | April 5th | March 28th |
| Easter Monday (regional only) | Lunes de Pascua | April 10th | April 1st | April 21st | April 6th | March 29th |
| Mother’s Day | Día de la Madre | May 7th | May 5th | May 4th | May 3rd | May 2nd |
| Whit Sunday | Pascua | May 28th | May 19th | June 8th | May 24th | May 16th |
| Whit Monday (Barcelona only) | Secunda Pascua | May 29th | May 20th | June 9th | May 25th | May 17th |
| Corpus Christi (Madrid only) | Corpus Christi | June 8th | May 30th | June 19th | June 4th | May 27th |
Opening hours around the holidays
The fact that Spaniards can celebrate extravagantly is also reflected in the store hours. When a holiday approaches, stores typically close. This is more common than in other Spanish-speaking countries. However, no one has to go hungry, especially on a municipality’s local holidays, because stores are already open in the neighboring village.
It is worth noting that there is a statutory mechanism for automatic bridging days in many parts of the country. Banks and stores are automatically closed on Monday and Friday if a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday.
By the way, the law requires 12 non-working days. If, due to unfavorable timing, too many public holidays fall on already non-working days, compensation in the form of additional non-working days must be granted.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is Epiphany celebrated in Spain?
Epiphany, known as Día de Reyes, is celebrated on January 6th. It marks the arrival of the Three Wise Men, and festivities often include parades, gift-giving, and the enjoyment of Roscón de Reyes, a special pastry.
How do Spaniards celebrate Semana Santa (Holy Week)?
Semana Santa is a significant religious observance leading up to Easter. It is marked by elaborate processions, religious ceremonies, and traditions in various cities across Spain, with Seville being particularly renowned for its Semana Santa celebrations.
How is Christmas celebrated in Spain?
Christmas in Spain is celebrated with festive meals, family gatherings, and the exchange of gifts. The holiday season officially begins on December 8th with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and continues through Epiphany on January 6th.
What are the regional holidays in Spain?
Spain has 17 autonomous regions, each with its own set of regional holidays. These can vary widely and are often linked to historical or cultural events specific to each region.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Spanish holidays showcase a rich blend of cultural, religious, and regional celebrations that contribute to the country’s vibrant identity. From the seriousness of Semana Santa processions to the lively festivities of La Tomatina and Feria de Abril, each holiday reflects unique traditions and customs deeply rooted in Spain’s history.
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