2024 Public Holidays in Spain
Public Holidays in Spain 2024
Spain celebrates a rich tapestry of public holidays, each steeped in tradition, culture, and history. These holidays reflect the country’s religious, political, and regional diversity, bringing communities together in celebration and commemoration. Here is a comprehensive list and description of public holidays in Spain for the year 2024.
National Public Holidays
New Year’s Day – January 1st
Description: New Year’s Day, or “Año Nuevo,” marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. It is celebrated across Spain with gatherings, fireworks, and festive parties. Many people make New Year’s resolutions and spend time with family and friends to welcome the new year with hope and optimism.
Epiphany – January 6th
Description: Epiphany, or “Día de Reyes,” is a significant Christian holiday commemorating the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. In Spain, it is celebrated with elaborate parades known as the “Cabalgata de Reyes,” where children receive gifts from the Three Kings. Traditional foods like Roscón de Reyes, a sweet bread, are enjoyed on this day.
Labour Day – May 1st
Description: Labour Day, or “Día del Trabajador,” honors the contributions of workers and the labor movement. It is observed with rallies, demonstrations, and marches advocating for workers’ rights and social justice. Many people also enjoy the day off by spending time with family or participating in leisure activities.
National Day of Spain – October 12th
Description: The National Day of Spain, or “Fiesta Nacional de España,” commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492. It is celebrated with military parades, flag-raising ceremonies, and cultural events across the country. The day highlights Spain’s history, unity, and cultural heritage.
All Saints’ Day – November 1st
Description: All Saints’ Day, or “Día de Todos los Santos,” is a Christian holiday honoring all the saints and martyrs. In Spain, it is a day to remember and pay respects to deceased loved ones. Families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, often bringing flowers and lighting candles in remembrance.
Constitution Day – December 6th
Description: Constitution Day, or “Día de la Constitución,” commemorates the anniversary of the Spanish Constitution of 1978, which established democracy in Spain after decades of dictatorship. It is celebrated with ceremonies, educational activities, and events promoting civic awareness and democratic values.
Christmas Day – December 25th
Description: Christmas Day, or “Navidad,” celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is one of the most important Christian holidays. In Spain, it is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and exchanging gifts. Festive traditions include Nativity scenes, Christmas markets, and the consumption of special holiday foods like turrones (nougat) and polvorones (shortbread cookies).
Regional Public Holidays
Andalusia Day – February 28th
Description: Andalusia Day, or “Día de Andalucía,” celebrates the autonomous community of Andalusia’s regional identity and culture. It commemorates the 1980 referendum in which Andalusians voted for autonomy. The day is marked by cultural events, concerts, traditional music, and Andalusian cuisine.
St. Joseph’s Day – March 19th
Description: St. Joseph’s Day, or “Día de San José,” is celebrated in the region of Valencia, particularly in the city of Valencia itself. It is a traditional holiday honoring St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters and the father of Jesus. Festivities include parades, street parties, and the offering of traditional pastries called “bunyols” to friends and family.
St. George’s Day – April 23rd
Description: St. George’s Day, or “Día de San Jorge,” is celebrated in the region of Catalonia and other parts of Spain. It is a cultural and literary celebration honoring St. George, the patron saint of Catalonia, and is often associated with the legend of the dragon-slaying knight. The day is marked by the exchange of roses and books between loved ones, as well as cultural events and book fairs.
San Isidro Labrador – May 15th
Description: San Isidro Labrador is the patron saint of Madrid, and his feast day is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Spanish capital. Festivities include traditional dances, music performances, bullfights, and the “romería,” a pilgrimage to the hermitage of San Isidro. The day is also marked by the consumption of traditional foods and drinks, such as “rosquillas” (doughnuts) and “limonada” (lemonade).
Corpus Christi – June 19th
Description: Corpus Christi, or “Corpus Christi,” is a Catholic holiday celebrating the Eucharist. In some regions of Spain, particularly in Toledo and Granada, it is observed with elaborate processions featuring religious icons, ornate floats, and traditional costumes. The day is also marked by church services, street decorations, and communal feasts.
Feast of St. James – July 25th
Description: The Feast of St. James, or “Día de Santiago,” is celebrated in the autonomous community of Galicia, where St. James is the patron saint. It is a religious and cultural holiday honoring the apostle St. James and is particularly significant in the city of Santiago de Compostela, where his remains are said to be buried. The day is marked by religious services, processions, and cultural events.
Assumption of Mary – August 15th
Description: The Assumption of Mary, or “Asunción de la Virgen,” is a Catholic holiday celebrating the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken bodily into heaven at the end of her earthly life. It is a public holiday in many parts of Spain, particularly in Catholic regions, and is observed with church services, processions, and community gatherings.
Regional National Day of Catalonia – September 11th
Description: The Regional National Day of Catalonia, or “Diada Nacional de Catalunya,” commemorates the fall of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714. It is a day of remembrance and reflection on Catalonia’s history and quest for autonomy. The day is marked by demonstrations, cultural events, and the display of Catalan flags.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception – December 8th
Description: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, or “Día de la Inmaculada Concepción,” celebrates the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin. It is a Catholic holiday observed with church services, processions, and the decoration of statues and shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In some regions of Spain, it is also a day for family gatherings and festive meals.
Table: Public Holidays and Days Off in Spain 2024
| Public Holiday | Date | Days Off | Groups of People |
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | 1 day | General population |
| Epiphany | January 6 | 1 day | General population |
| Labour Day | May 1 | 1 day | Workers |
| National Day of Spain | October 12 | 1 day | General population |
| All Saints’ Day | November 1 | 1 day | General population |
| Constitution Day | December 6 | 1 day | General population |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | 1 day | General population |
| Andalusia Day | February 28 | 1 day | Andalusians |
| St. Joseph’s Day | March 19 | 1 day | Valencians |
| St. George’s Day | April 23 | 1 day | Catalans |
| San Isidro Labrador | May 15 | 1 day | Madrileños |
| Corpus Christi | June 19 | 1 day | Toledo, Granada |
| Feast of St. James | July 25 | 1 day | Galicians |
| Assumption of Mary | August 15 | 1 day | Catholic regions |
| Regional National Day of Catalonia | September 11 | 1 day | Catalans |
| Feast of the Immaculate Conception | December 8 | 1 day | Catholic regions |