Traditional holidays in Spain

The Christmas lights in Vigo 2025 are a full‑blown national talking point, the kind people travel for just to see the city glow. A lot of that fame rests on the mayor's showman streak, turning the switch‑on into a headline moment.

Barcelona’s planning a full-on glow this year for its Christmas lights display.

Madrid is going big with its Christmas lights display for 2025.

If you’re weighing up the best place in Spain for New Year’s Eve, picture late dinners, twelve grapes on the Campanadas at midnight, a cava toast and, later, chocolate con churros.

Spain does the festive season properly, with big city switch‑ons in late November and early December, light‑and‑sound shows on iconic streets, projection mapping on landmark buildings and sweet, low‑key neighbourhood displays. Where to see the best Christmas lights in Spain 2025 Málaga Chr

Many bank holidays in Spain can be hard to keep track of, due to variations in holiday calendars across the country. Public holidays in Spain often depend on the region and, in many cases, the city itself.

Early December can reshape work and travel plans across Spain, with closures and altered schedules felt nationwide for the December bank holiday weekend.

Spain’s festive travel season is shaping up to be busy again, led by short city breaks, family visits, and a strong winter-sun pull to the Canary Islands. Jetcost survey data suggests 71% of Spaniards plan at least one Christmas-season trip, with an average spend of around €803 per person.

Halloween in Spain has become increasingly popular over the years, evolving from a largely imported holiday into a celebration with its own unique Spanish twist. From traditional Celtic-inspired rituals to modern urban festivities, Halloween in Spain now combines history, culture, and fun.

Halloween in Spain is a two‑speed affair. You have a lively night of costumes and club nights on 31st October, followed by the quiet, reflective rhythm of Todos los Santos on 1st November.

Valencia is preparing for 9th October, the region’s annual day that reshapes streets and squares with ceremony and celebration. What is 9th October, Valencia DayIs 9th October a holiday in Spain? Traditions on 9th October: the Senyera and La Mocadorà9th October Valencia Day 2025 programme

October turns Madrid into a vibrant stage where culture, leisure and food converge to create unique experiences. As autumn begins, the city comes alive with events ranging from music and art festivals to food tours and outdoor activities – perfect for enjoying the cooler days and lively nights.

In September, the city of Barcelona throws its biggest party of the year, La Mercè. It’s the local festa major, or main festival, and is essentially a massive, city-wide send-off to summer.

September in Spain has a special feel to it. As the intense heat of summer begins to fade and the crowds start to thin, the country comes alive with some of its most interesting celebrations.

Spain's calendar is peppered with public holidays, known locally as festivos. Many of these days off are rooted in the country's Catholic traditions, often marking feast days for various saints or other important religious events.

Málaga is often seen simply as the gateway to the Costa del Sol, but the city has a character all its own. It's a place with some serious historical weight, where you can trace the steps of Roman and Moorish civilisations through the old town's streets.

As the 2025–2026 school year approaches, some regions in Spain have already started confirming their term dates.

Looking for something a little out of the ordinary to pep up your Spanish summer? The Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme in As Neves is about as left-field as festivals get.

When it comes to festivals, Spain plays in a league of its own. We're talking about some wonderfully wacky traditions, many of which have been celebrated for centuries.

This bonkers festival in Valencia comprises truckloads of tomatoes and people willing to paint the town red. Literally.

Every July, Pamplona in northern Spain bursts to life with the riotous Festival of San Fermín. It's a whirlwind of music, dance, street parties, and something you just don’t see every day: the famous running of the bulls.

As summer approaches, there's a night in Spain that stands out for its sheer energy and sense of togetherness – Noche de San Juan, or Saint John's Eve. It’s the sort of celebration that brings everyone outdoors, ready for a bit of fun and mischief as the days grow warmer.

Barcelona doesn’t do anything by halves, and the San Juan Festival, or Nit de Sant Joan, is a great example of this. This celebration is the city’s answer to the ultimate summer street party.

Alicante comes alive in late June thanks to the San Juan Festival, or Hogueras de San Juan. The event is as much a local rite of passage as it is a visitor spectacle.

Corpus Christi is a big deal in Granada, a proper knees-up that blends religious tradition with a lively, colourful street party.