Before planning your trip, it’s important to understand Spain’s holidays, festivals and events, as they can have a big impact on your travel experience. From national holidays when shops and attractions may close, to vibrant local festivals that bring entire towns to life, Spain’s calendar is packed with cultural celebrations. Knowing what’s happening—and when—can help you avoid surprises, make the most of your time, and even add unforgettable experiences to your itinerary.
Here is a list of Spain’s holidays:
- New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) – January 1
- Epiphany (Día de Reyes) – January 6
- Good Friday (Viernes Santo) – Variable date (usually in March or April)
- Labour Day (Día del Trabajador) – May 1
- Assumption of Mary (Asunción de la Virgen) – August 15
- National Day of Spain (Fiesta Nacional de España) – October 12
- All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos) – November 1
- Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución Española) – December 6
- Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción) – December 8
- Christmas Day (Navidad) – December 25
Spain is renowned for its vibrant annual events and festivals. Here are some of the most popular ones:
1. La Tomatina
- When: Last Wednesday of August
- Where: Buñol
- What: A massive tomato fight where participants throw tomatoes at each other in the streets.
2. Running of the Bulls
- When: July 7-14
- Where: Pamplona
- What: A week-long festival featuring the famous bull runs, where participants run ahead of a group of bulls through the city streets.
3. Las Fallas
- When: March 15-19
- Where: Valencia
- What: A festival featuring large, paper mâché sculptures that are paraded through the streets and then burned in massive bonfires.
5. Carnival
- When: The week before Lent
- Where: Various cities, most notably Tenerife
- What: Costumes, parades, and dancing in a lively celebration leading up to Lent.
6. La Feria de Abril
- When: Two weeks after Easter
- Where: Seville
- What: A week-long fair featuring parties, flamenco dancing, costumes, and parades.
7. La Mercè
- When: Late September (date varies)
- Where: Barcelona
- What: A festival honoring the city’s patron saint, featuring parades, concerts, and fireworks.
8. San Isidro Festival
- When: May 15
- Where: Madrid
- What: Celebrations in honor of Madrid’s patron saint, with traditional music, dancing, bullfights, and a pilgrimage to the Saint’s meadow.
9. Fiesta de San Juan
- When: June 23-24
- Where: Coastal cities, most notably Alicante
- What: A summer celebration with bonfires, fireworks, and beach parties.
10. La Vendimia
- When: September
- Where: Wine regions such as La Rioja and Jerez
- What: Celebrations marking the grape harvest, with wine tastings, concerts, and parades.
In summary, knowing Spain’s holidays, festivals and events helps you plan smarter—avoiding closures or catching cultural celebrations that can make your trip even more memorable.
For even more helpful tips and essential info to make the most of your trip, don’t miss my complete guide to everything you need to know about Spain