January 

New Years Eve (All Spain) 

New Years Eve is spent with family and friends. Families will have a meal together and then wait for the countdown until midnight. At midnight, Spainards have a tradition of eating 12 grapes, one for every stroke of the clock. I’m not 100% where this tradition comes from, however some people have told me it originated in Madrid. Afterward, people may go out and party until the early morning. January 1st is usually spent with family and most businesses and shops are shut down.

**El Día de los Reyes** (All Spain)

Right after New Year’s is the Día de los Reyes or Three Kings Day. This is a well-celebrated holiday in Spain, usually more popular than Christmas. Kids wait for the Three Kings, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, to visit their homes and the children put out food for them and their camels, much like Santa and his reindeer. The Kings will leave the children presents. In some regions, they put the gifts in the children´s shoes or under their beds. Other places incorporate Christmas trees or the gifts are left in the family living room. Families will get together for a big lunch or dinner that usually includes a type of cake called a Roscón de Reyes. Inside the cake are several small prizes. One is usually a king and the other is a bean. If you get the king, you are the winner and someone has to pay you the price of the cake. If you get the bean, you have to pay for the cake next year. Families may also sing traditional carols called villanicos together and there is usually a Three Kings parade in major cities.

February, March and April

**Carnaval** (All Spain)

Although not as large as the Carnaval in Brazil, Carnaval in Spain is still a massive deal. The best celebrations are generally in Tenerife on the Canary Islands, in Cadiz in Southern Spain, and in Sitges in Catalonia as well as various parts of Galicia with some of the best processions in Badajoz in Exremadura. Spainards will dress up in a variety of costumes from Harry Potter to bumblebees to witches and other characters. There will be parades and dancing in the streets and celebrations can last up to two weeks or more depending on your region and city.

**Semana Santa** (All Spain)

Holy Week is huge in Spain with celebrations lasting all week or up to two weeks in regions like Murcia. Holy Week processions are one of the main ways people celebrate but since most people are off for the holiday, many will also travel abroad or within Spain. Processions will take place all night in some places like Sevilla, as people walk statues of the Virgin Mary, Jesus and saints through the streets. They will also wear a type of cloak as well as a hood called a capriote. Different churches and cities have different cloaks and hoods in various colors depending on their history.

Fiesta de la Primavera (Murcia)

This holiday is usually celebrated in the Southern region of Murcia and has to do with Semana Santa and welcoming in springtime. It is usually celebrated in conjunction with Bando de la Huerta and people may wear traditional dresses or white and red.

Bando de la Huerta (Murcia) 

This is another Murcia holiday which is near Semana Santa and celebrates Murcia’s tradition as the huerta, or vegetable garden of Europe. Parades fill the streets and people will throw food and candy from the parade floats.

Entierro de la Sardina (Various regions) 

This holiday is celebrated in several regions of Spain and usually signifies the end of Lent. It generally incorporates a large procession and ends when people burn a gigantic sardine with lots of fire and combustibles. It’s meant to signify the burial of old ways and the beginning of new chapters.

Cerezo en Flor (Extremadura) 

There are several places to see cherry blossoms in Spain, but the most famous is in Extremadura. Celebrations will start as late as February and will extend until early May. The best time to see the blossoms is generally in March and April, but conditions can change depending on the weather. Another place where people will visit to see flowers in bloom is Cieza in Murcia which also features bright pink blossoms.

Sant Jordi (Catalonia) 

This holiday is for book lovers and is widely celebrated in Spain although it originated in the region of Catalonia, specifically in Barcelona. During this day, people will give books, roses, and other flowers to their loved ones. It’s based on the legend of Saint George and the Dragon and is widely celebrated in England, as well as the region of Aragón, the municipality of Santurce, and the city of Cáceres where the Saint has special significance. 

Las Fallas (Valencia)

Variations of this festival are celebrated throughout the region of Valencia but the most famous is in the city of Valencia in March. Giant, whimsical effigies are created and then burned.

May, June, July, August

Labour Day (All Spain)

A day off to celebrate the enormous struggles of workers around the world for humane conditions and basic rights in the workplace.

Madrid Day (Madrid) 

Dos de Mayo is a famous day throughout Spain, although it is generally celebrated in Madrid. It was immortalized in the famous painting by Francisco Goya, which can be seen on display in the Prado Museum in Madrid.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day (All Spain)

These are also key holidays in Spanish culture as family is very important. Families usually get together for a special lunch or dinner honoring their parents.

Fiestas de San Juan (Various regions) 

San Juan marks a special time in Spanish culture when according to legend, the boundaries between the natural world and spirit world are broken and all sorts of souls and magic run loose. Some regions celebrate this day with large bonfires on local beaches. However, this tradition is losing popularity with new generations due to environmental concerns. For some, this is a night when you must be particularly careful not to be hexed by a wayward witch or caught up in a ghostly procession of lost souls. For others, it’s just an excuse to drink a lot of alcohol and burn things on the beach.

September, October, November

Día de la Hispanidad (All Spain)

What we would typically refer to as Columbus Day, it pays homage to Columbus’s voyage to what he believed to be India but was really the Americas.

All Saints Day (All Spain)

A day to honor your ancestors and relatives who have passed away. Some people spend this day in the graveyard with their families and may light candles or even share food. It’s similar to Day of the Dead in North America.

December 

Constitution Day (All Spain)

This day honors Spain’s constitution, which was ratified by a referendum in 1978, after the fall of the fascist Franco regime.

Immaculate Conception (All Spain)

This Catholic holiday honors Jesus’s mother Mary, who some say was conceived without original sin. Church services (or masses) to honor this observance are held on or around Dec. 8. and many schools and businesses are closed.

Christmas Holidays (All Spain) 

Most of Spain also celebrates Christmas in addition to the Three Kings and will even put up lights, Christmas trees and celebrate Santa Claus.