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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The cancellations of major national and international events due to the coronavirus is something we’ve become highly used to in recent times, and Spain’s world-famous Tomatina de Buñol has ended up with the same destiny in 2020.

In Spain, the Easter holidays are traditionally one of the biggest events in the calendar and the most important celebrations take place during Holy Week.

La Floración de Cieza When: 1st-31st March 2020 Where: Cieza, Murcia Website: murciaturistica.es When you think of Murcia, the first thing on your mind could be beaches, nightlife or sunny weather. These things are all true, but Murcia also has so much more to offer.

Carnival time is a strange celebration at the end of winter and just before Lent when the world dresses up in extravagant clothing and goes wild.