Traditional holidays in Spain

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.

Every year in late June, locals and travellers descend on the small town of Haro, ready to trade in their clean white shirts for a purple-drenched experience.

It's a public holiday in Madrid on 1st and 2nd May, which means a long weekend of festivities and events. 1st May is Labour Day, like in much of the world, while 2nd May is a holiday exclusive to Madrid, celebrating the Fiestas del 2 de Mayo.

The Patios de Cordoba, or Cordoba's Courtyards Festival, is a colourful celebration held during the first and second week of May. During this festival, residents adorn their courtyards with flowers, transforming them into beautiful displays.

Steeped in centuries of tradition and bursting with Andalusian flair, La Feria de Abril—also known as the Seville Fair—is one of Spain’s most vibrant cultural events.

Semana Santa is upon us again, and the Easter holidays are one of the most important festivals in Spain, celebrated this year from 13th-20th April 2025.

Mother’s Day in Spain, or Día de la Madre, is celebrated on the first Sunday of May each year. This means, unlike Father’s Day in Spain, which is always on 19th March, Mother’s Day varies each year.

One of Spain's most romantic festivals takes place in Barcelona on 23 April. This special day honours Catalonia's patron saint, Sant Jordi, known to many as Saint George. It also coincides with World Book Day.

Holy Week in Seville is a unique celebration that unites faith, tradition and art, marking one of the most anticipated moments of the year in the Andalusian city. Each procession becomes a tribute to the history and devotion of Seville's capital.

In Spain, Easter is one of the most significant events of the year, with the biggest celebrations taking place during Holy Week — known locally as Semana Santa. But what exactly happens during Semana Santa in Spain?

Holy Week is an annual Christian commemoration that remembers the Passion of Christ: his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the Stations of the Cross, and his death and resurrection. During this period, numerous manifestations of popular religiosity take place worldwide.

Easter in Spain goes far beyond chocolate eggs and bunnies.

If you're looking for a truly unique and exhilarating Spanish festival, Valencia’s Fallas should be at the top of your list.

Explore the vibrant and unique Tomatina Festival in Buñol, Valencia, set to take place on 28th August of this year 2024.

Spain public holidays 2023: we're already counting down to Christmas, and before you know it, 2023 will be here. It's time to take a look at the 2023 holiday calendar in Spain so that you can be prepared, and even start planning your long weekends and getaways.