Knowing if today is a holiday in Spain is crucial for travelers and residents alike. Businesses and public offices often have reduced hours or close completely on dias festivos (public holidays). Spain observes national holidays, set by the government, and regional holidays, determined by local governments. National holidays are celebrated throughout the country, while regional holidays vary. It’s common for employees to take a four-day puente (bridge) if a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. Weekend holidays are sometimes moved to the following Monday by regional governments, though not always observed by every company.
Regional holidays often coincide with large local festivals, like the world-famous Fallas Festival. This presents a great opportunity to experience Spanish culture and cuisine, but requires booking accommodations and travel well in advance due to high demand.
Spain designates several national holidays each year. These include New Year’s Day, Epiphany, Good Friday, Labor Day, Assumption of Mary, Spain’s National Day (also known as Hispanic Day), All Saints’ Day, Constitution Day, Immaculate Conception Day, and Christmas Day. Specific dates for these holidays vary annually.
In addition to national holidays, several religious holidays are celebrated regionally. These include San Jose (Murcia and Valencia), Eid al-Fitr (Melilla), Maundy Thursday (all regions except Catalonia and Valencia), Easter Monday (Basque Country, Catalonia, La Rioja, Navarre, and Valencia), Eid al-Adha (Ceuta and Melilla), Corpus Christi (Castile-La Mancha), Saint John the Baptist Day (Catalonia and Valencia), Saint James the Apostle Day (Basque Country, Galicia, Madrid, and Navarre), Our Lady of Africa Day (Ceuta), Nuestra Señora de la Bien Aparecida (Cantabria), and Saint Stephen’s Day (Balearic Islands and Catalonia).
Cultural holidays are also unique to specific regions. These include Andalusia Day, Balearic Islands Day, Aragon Day, Castile and León Day, Madrid Day, Galicia Literature Day, Canary Islands Day, Castile-La Mancha Day, La Rioja Day, Murcia Day, Day of the Institutions (Cantabria), Asturias Day, Extremadura Day, National Day of Catalonia, Valencia Day, and Navarre Day. These celebrations showcase local heritage and traditions.
Beyond official holidays, Spain observes other important dates like Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Spanish school holidays often align with public holidays, creating extended breaks for students. These schedules vary by region and academic year. Consulting a specific school calendar is recommended for accurate information. To determine if today is a holiday in Spain, consult an official Spanish holiday calendar, considering both national and regional observances. Resources like the official website of the Spanish government or local tourism websites can provide up-to-date information.
