New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo / Ganjitsu) New Year’s Day in Spain is a calm, family-oriented celebration following the lively Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) festivities. After midnight, Spaniards eat twelve grapes - one for each stroke of the clock - to bring good luck for the twelve months ahead. The morning of January 1 is quiet; most businesses, banks, and offices close, and families share a hearty lunch of traditional dishes such as roast lamb or seafood.

Epiphany (Día de Reyes / Epifanía del Señor) The Epiphany on January 6 is one of Spain’s most beloved holidays, especially for children. It marks the arrival of the Three Wise Men, who bring gifts the night before. Towns hold colorful parades (Cabalgatas de Reyes) with sweets thrown to the crowd. Bakeries sell “Roscón de Reyes,” a ring-shaped cake with hidden surprises inside. Shops close, and families gather for long lunches and present-opening.

Andalusia Day (Día de Andalucía) Andalusia Day commemorates the 1980 referendum that granted autonomy to the Andalusian region. Public buildings display green-and-white flags, schools organize cultural events, and many museums and monuments open for free. It’s a public holiday in Andalusia, so government offices and most businesses there are closed.

Day of the Balearic Islands (Dia de les Illes Balears) This day celebrates the Balearic Islands’ Statute of Autonomy. Markets, concerts, and artisan fairs fill Palma and other island towns. Locals enjoy folk dancing, local gastronomy, and historical reenactments. It’s a regional holiday - government offices and many shops across Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera close.

Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo) Part of Holy Week (Semana Santa), Maundy Thursday recalls the Last Supper. Throughout Spain - particularly in Seville, Málaga, and Valladolid - processions of hooded penitents, marching bands, and religious floats fill the streets. It’s a solemn yet spectacular day; schools, offices, and banks are closed in most regions.

Good Friday (Viernes Santo) One of Spain’s most sacred days, Good Friday features silent processions and church services commemorating the Passion of Christ. Towns dim their lights and music turns mournful. The day is a national holiday - banks, government offices, and most shops close - while streets echo with the slow drumbeats of Semana Santa.

Easter Monday (Lunes de Pascua) Easter Monday is observed mainly in Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands. Families gather for outdoor picnics and share the “Mona de Pascua,” a decorated chocolate cake traditionally given to children by godparents. Public offices and banks close in regions where it’s recognized.

Castile and León Day (Día de Castilla y León) This regional holiday commemorates the 1521 Revolt of the Comuneros, an uprising of citizens against royal authority. In Villalar de los Comuneros, a historic town near Valladolid, thousands gather for concerts, folk music, and traditional food. Schools and offices in Castile and León close for the day.

Labour Day (Fiesta del Trabajo) Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, honors Spain’s labor movement. Trade unions organize demonstrations in major cities advocating workers’ rights and fair wages. It’s a national public holiday - all government offices, schools, and most businesses are closed.

Day of Madrid (Fiesta de la Comunidad de Madrid) This holiday commemorates the 1808 uprising of Madrid citizens against Napoleonic forces. Official ceremonies take place at the Dos de Mayo square, and cultural institutions offer free entry. The day is celebrated only in the Madrid region, where offices and many shops close.

Galician Literature Day (Día das Letras Galegas) Celebrated in Galicia, this day promotes Galician language and literature. Each year it honors a different Galician author. Schools and cultural centers host readings, concerts, and art events. Government offices and most businesses in Galicia close for the day.

Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi) A traditional Catholic feast celebrating the Eucharist, Corpus Christi is marked by elaborate processions with carpets of flowers and children dressed in white. Toledo’s celebration is the most famous, with centuries-old relics paraded through its medieval streets. It’s a public holiday in several regions, and many businesses close.

Day of the Canary Islands (Día de Canarias) This day celebrates Canarian identity and the establishment of the Canary Islands’ autonomous government. Locals wear traditional dress, enjoy folk dances, and feast on regional dishes like gofio and papas arrugadas. Schools and offices across the islands close, while cultural performances fill town squares.

Day of Castilla-La Mancha (Día de la Región Castilla-La Mancha) The region celebrates its autonomy with concerts, art exhibitions, and food fairs. Official events take place in Toledo, the regional capital. It’s a public holiday in Castilla-La Mancha - offices and most local businesses close.

Day of La Rioja (Día de La Rioja) This day marks the establishment of La Rioja’s Statute of Autonomy. Local wineries host open days, and towns hold folk festivals and concerts. It’s a day of regional pride and wine-related festivities. Public institutions in La Rioja are closed.

St. John’s Day (Sant Joan / San Juan) Celebrated on the night of June 23–24, St. John’s Day marks the summer solstice. Bonfires, fireworks, and beach parties fill the night from Alicante to Barcelona. People jump over small fires or swim at midnight for purification and luck. The next day, public offices close in regions where it’s an official holiday.

St. James’ Day (Santiago Apóstol) St. James, the patron saint of Spain, is honored with religious processions and pilgrimages, especially in Santiago de Compostela, the endpoint of the Camino de Santiago. Pilgrims attend mass in the cathedral, and fireworks light the square. It’s a national holiday in Galicia and some other regions.

Day of the Cantabrian Institutions (Día de las Instituciones de Cantabria) This regional holiday commemorates the founding of Cantabria’s autonomous institutions in 1778. The main celebration takes place in Puente San Miguel, featuring traditional music, regional food, and cultural reenactments. Government offices in Cantabria close for the day.

Assumption of Mary (Asunción de la Virgen) The Assumption is a major Catholic feast marking the Virgin Mary’s ascent into heaven. Many towns host processions, folk dances, and summer fairs. It’s a national holiday - government offices, schools, and most shops are closed.

Day of Asturias (Día de Asturias) Held in early September, this regional celebration honors Our Lady of Covadonga, the patron saint of Asturias. Religious events, concerts, and cultural fairs take place in Covadonga and Oviedo. It’s a public holiday in Asturias.

National Day of Catalonia (Diada Nacional de Catalunya) Catalonia’s national day commemorates the fall of Barcelona in 1714 during the War of the Spanish Succession. Today it’s a day of regional pride and political expression, with large rallies, concerts, and Catalan flag displays. Government offices and schools in Catalonia close.

Feast of Our Lady of Bien Aparecida (Festividad de la Bien Aparecida) Celebrated in Cantabria, this day honors the region’s patron saint, Our Lady of Bien Aparecida. Religious ceremonies and pilgrimages to her sanctuary near Ampuero mark the day. It’s a regional public holiday in Cantabria.

Day of the Valencian Community (Día de la Comunitat Valenciana) This day commemorates the Christian reconquest of Valencia by King James I in 1238. Parades, fireworks, and concerts fill Valencia’s streets, and official ceremonies take place at the regional government building. It’s a public holiday in the Valencian Community.

National Day of Spain (Fiesta Nacional de España) Spain’s National Day, also known as Hispanic Day, commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492. Madrid hosts a grand military parade attended by the royal family and government leaders. Offices, schools, and banks close nationwide, while Spanish flags decorate public buildings.

All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos) A day of remembrance for the departed. Families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves with flowers, especially chrysanthemums. Bakeries sell “huesos de santo” and “buñuelos de viento,” traditional sweets linked to the occasion. It’s a national public holiday, and most businesses close.

Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución) Commemorating the approval of Spain’s democratic constitution in 1978, this holiday reflects the country’s modern democratic identity. Schools hold educational events about civic values. Government offices, schools, and many businesses close nationwide.

Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción) This Catholic feast celebrates the Virgin Mary’s immaculate conception. In Seville, it coincides with student celebrations marking the start of winter holidays. Churches hold special masses, and some cities light up for early Christmas festivities. It’s a national public holiday with general closures.

Christmas Day (Navidad) Christmas in Spain centers on family, food, and faith. After attending midnight mass (La Misa del Gallo), families enjoy a festive dinner with seafood, lamb, and turrón (nougat). The next day is relaxed - shops and offices are closed as people stay home with family.

St. Stephen’s Day (Sant Esteve / San Esteban) Celebrated mainly in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, St. Stephen’s Day continues the Christmas festivities. Families gather again to enjoy canelons (pasta rolls made from Christmas leftovers). Government offices and many shops in those regions close.