Fiestas and Public/Local Holidays
Spain is a catholic country has many fiestas/festivals and public/local holidays, many of these fiestas are religious. These holidays are the same date each year although public holidays might change dependent upon what day they fall on.
Every village and town also celebrates with their own Fiestas celebrating their own Patron Saints.
Visitors, especially in the smaller villages need to respect the locals values and dress appropriately so as not to cause offence. The Spanish are friendly and will usually accept visitors openly. Children and grandparents are always made a great fuss of!
Easter does change each year but again local Fiestas may stay the same. Castril being a good example, a local Fiesta at "La Solana" takes place the last Sunday in April irrespective when Easter falls.
If a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday many Spanish will take extended holidays ensuring they can take advantage of a 4 day break.
1st January
New Year’s day (Ano Nuevo)
Public holiday.
6th January
Three Kings’ day (Dia de los Reyes Magos) / Epifania (Epiphany)
Always a problem in our house! As well as celebrating traditional Christmas and Santa, we now have the Three Wise Men knocking at our door presenting the children with gifts (!) Of course a Spanish tradition and living in Spain we tend to do both! Similar to Santa arriving on the eve of 5th January, the children put their shoes outside their door with straw and hope to awake the next morning to an array of gifts!
28th February
Day of Andalucia (El Carnival)
The last weekend in February is Day of Andalucia, and dependent upon where you live there will be some kind of procession, be it big or small!
March or April
Easter
Fiestas will vary from town to town, so keep an eye out for posters with information on events happening during this time.
Good Friday (Viernes Santo)
Easter Sunday (Dia de Pascua)
19th March
Father's Day (San Jose)
1st May
Labour Day (Fiesta del Trabajo)
Day off for the workers!
29th June
St. Peter and St. Paul (San Pedro y San Pablo)
25th July
St.James, patron saint of Spain (Santiago)
15th August
Assumption (Asuncion)
12th October
Spain's National Day
Public holiday for all to enjoy.
1st November
All Saints Day (Todos los Santos)
Public holiday. Also known as "Day of the Dead" taken from Halloween, relatives visit the graves of their loved ones and lay flowers on their graves.
6th December
Constitution Day (Dia de la Constitucion)
Public holiday throughout Spain
8th December
Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepcion)
25th December
Christmas Day (Navidad)
Public holiday throughout Spain. However, the Spanish do not celebrate Christmas on 25th in the same way we do in England. The children do receive a small present but most of their celebrating is saved for 3 Kings day.
Instead they have a big meal usually late on Christmas Eve. It is a huge meal usually spent with all the family.