Festivals in Spain
Browse festivals and traditions in Spanish municipalities, organised by autonomous community and province: Local festival directory.
Today, 14 August: La Vespra opens Elche's Mystery Play
At 6.00 pm on Friday 14 August, the Basilica of Santa María in Elche hosts La Vespra, the first part of the Misteri d'Elx. The Patronat confirms that the 2026 performance is free to enter until the church reaches capacity. This medieval sung drama depicts the death, assumption and coronation of the Virgin over two days: La Vespra on the 14th and La Festa on the 15th. It is an annual tradition deeply rooted in Elche, not a public holiday in its own right; Spain's Assumption public holiday falls on Saturday 15 August.
The performance turns the basilica into a vertical theatre, with the main stage in the crossing, a sloping walkway leading from the great door and aerial machinery that is essential to the drama. In La Vespra, the Virgin and her companions enter the church and begin a story that continues the following day. As admission is free until capacity is reached, arriving early and following the organisers' directions is sensible. It is also worth looking upwards: in this production, the ceiling is not merely overhead but a particularly active part of the stage.
Further information and sources: The Assumption public holiday in Spain; Patronat del Misteri d'Elx: performance dates and times; Patronat del Misteri d'Elx: August 2026 performances; Spanish Official State Gazette: 2026 public holiday list.
Browse featured festivals from previous days
Tomorrow, 15 August: The Assumption is a nationwide public holiday in Spain
On Saturday 15 August, Spain observes the Assumption of the Virgin Mary as a nationwide public holiday that is paid, non-recoverable and cannot be replaced by the autonomous communities. The official 2026 calendar published by the Directorate-General for Employment lists it across every territory, although it falls on a Saturday this year and its practical effect depends on each person’s working pattern. The date also coincides with many local patronal festivals and religious observances. In Elche, the Patronat schedules La Festa, the second part of the Misteri d’Elx, for 6.00 pm with free admission.
The same date brings together markedly different celebrations: processions, major local festivals and cultural events vary from town to town, while the shared public holiday is established by Spain’s national calendar. Before planning the day, it is sensible to check local official timings and notices, because nationwide holiday status does not make every programme identical or mean that every shop will close in exactly the same way. Anyone in Elche can attend La Festa, the conclusion of the sung drama begun with La Vespra; elsewhere, each municipality’s own tradition will take centre stage.
Further information and sources: The Assumption public holiday in Spain; Spanish Official State Gazette: 2026 public holiday list; Patronat del Misteri d'Elx: performance dates and times.
Featured popular festivals
Carpeta Fiestas presents a selection of the nearest popular festivals.
- Festes de la Mare de Déu d'Agost in Sencelles, in Sencelles.
Usual date: Around 15 August - Amposta Festes Majors, in Amposta.
Usual date: Around 15 August - Festivals in San Lorenzo de Huesca, in Huesca.
Usual date: 9 to August 15 - Noche de la Alborada, in Elche.
Usual date: August 13 - Torrejón del Rey August Festivals, in Torrejón del Rey.
Usual date: Mid-August - Fiesta del Asturcón, in Piloña.
Usual date: Third Saturday in August - Fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Luarca, in Luarca.
Usual date: August 15 - La Banyà, in La Torre de les Maçanes.
Usual date: 15 August at 1 pm - Our Lady of Charity festivals, in several Spanish towns.
Usual date: Dates vary by town; several celebrations use 15 August as their reference date - Fiesta del Agua de Vilagarcía de Arousa, in Vilagarcía de Arousa.
Usual date: August 16 - Molinaseca Water Festival, in Molinaseca.
Usual date: 17 August - Descenso Folklórico del Nalón, in Laviana.
Usual date: Second half of August - San Donato Festivities in Pioz, in Pioz.
Usual date: Around the fourth Sunday in August - La Tomatina, in Buñol.
Usual date: Last Wednesday in August - Cipotegato, in Tarazona.
Usual date: August 27 - Batalla de Flores de Laredo, in Laredo.
Usual date: Last Friday in August - Guerras Cántabras, in Los Corrales de Buelna.
Usual date: Last weekend of August and primero de September - La Cordà de Paterna, in Paterna.
Usual date: Last Sunday in August - Feria de Murcia, in Murcia.
Usual date: First half of September - Moros y Cristianos de Murcia, in Murcia.
Usual date: First half of September - Moros y Cristianos de Villena, in Villena.
Usual date: 4 to September 9 - Fiesta de la Virgen de la Guía, in Llanes.
Usual date: September 8 - Romería de la Virgen de Gracia, in San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
Usual date: Second Sunday in September - Carthagineses y Romanos, in Cartagena.
Usual date: Second half of September - America Day in Asturias, in Oviedo.
Usual date: September 19 - Festivals in San Mateo de Logroño, in Logroño.
Usual date: Week of September 21 - Semana Cervantina, in Alcalá de Henares.
Usual date: Around October 9 - Festivals in la Sagrada Familia y el Santísimo Cristo, in la Vall d’Uixó.
Usual date: Second Sunday in October - Romería de Valme, in Dos Hermanas.
Usual date: Third Sunday in October - Don Juan en Alcalá, in Alcalá de Henares.
Usual date: Weekend closest to November 1
National holidays and holidays selected by autonomous communities
- New Year's Day: January 1
- Epiphany: January 6
- San José: March 19
- Maundy Thursday: tres días antes del Domingo de Resurrección
- Good Friday: dos días antes del Domingo de Resurrección
- Labour Day: May 1
- St James the Apostle: July 25
- Assumption of the Virgin Mary: August 15
- National Day of Spain: October 12
- All Saints' Day: November 1
- Spanish Constitution Day: December 6
- Immaculate Conception: December 8
- Christmas Day: December 25
Note: This list includes both nationwide public holidays and holidays whose non-working status depends on each autonomous community. To find the specific public holidays for a locality, also consult its regional holidays and the two local holidays approved by its municipality.
Common non-working public holidays throughout Spain in 2026: 1 January, 6 January, 3 April, 1 May, 15 August, 12 October, 8 December and 25 December. The remaining dates depend on the autonomous community and the two local holidays of each municipality. Source: Resolution of 17 October 2025 of the Directorate-General for Labour (Official State Gazette no. 259).
2026 public holiday calendar
View the 2026 calendar of nationwide non-working public holidays, shown in red, together with the day of the week on which each one falls.
Regional public holidays
Andalusia
- Andalusia Day: February 28
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Andalusia.
Non-working public holidays in Andalusia in 2026: 1 and January 6; February 28; 2 and April 3; May 1; August 15; October 12; November 2; and 7, 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Andalusia.
Aragon
- St George's Day / Aragon Day: April 23
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Aragon.
Non-working public holidays in Aragon in 2026: 1 and January 6; 2, 3 and April 23; May 1; August 15; October 12; November 2; and 7, 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Aragon.
Asturias
- Asturias Day: September 8
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Asturias.
Non-working public holidays in Asturias in 2026: 1 and January 6; 2 and April 3; May 1; August 15; September 8; October 12; November 2; and 7, 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Asturias.
Balearic Islands
- Balearic Islands Day: March 1
- Easter Monday: the day after Easter Sunday
- St Stephen's Day: December 26
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Balearic Islands.
Non-working public holidays in Balearic Islands in 2026: 1 and January 6; March 2; 2, 3 and April 6; May 1; August 15; October 12; and 8, 25 and December 26.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of the Balearic Islands.
Canary Islands
- Canary Islands Day: May 30
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Canary Islands.
Non-working public holidays in Canary Islands in 2026: 1 and 6 January; 2 and 3 April; 1 and 30 May; 15 August; 12 October; 2 November; and 8 and 25 December. Each island also has its own public holiday: 2 February in Tenerife, 5 August in La Palma, 8 September in Gran Canaria, 15 September in Lanzarote and La Graciosa, 18 September in Fuerteventura, 24 September in El Hierro and 5 October in La Gomera.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Canary Islands.
Cantabria
- Cantabrian Institutions Day: July 28
- La Bien Aparecida: September 15
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Cantabria.
Non-working public holidays in Cantabria in 2026: 1 and January 6; 2 and April 3; May 1; July 28; August 15; September 15; October 12; and 7, 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Cantabria.
Castile-La Mancha
- Easter Monday: the day after Easter Sunday
- Corpus Christi: sesenta días después del Domingo de Resurrección
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Castile-La Mancha.
Non-working public holidays in Castile-La Mancha in 2026: 1 and January 6; 2, 3 and April 6; May 1; June 4; August 15; October 12; November 2; and 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Castile-La Mancha.
Castile and Leon
- Fiesta de Castile and Leon: April 23
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Castile and Leon.
Non-working public holidays in Castile and Leon in 2026: 1 and January 6; 2, 3 and April 23; May 1; August 15; October 12; November 2; and 7, 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Castile and Leon.
Catalonia
- Easter Monday: the day after Easter Sunday
- St John's Day: June 24
- Fiesta Nacional de Catalonia: September 11
- St Stephen's Day: December 26
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Catalonia.
Non-working public holidays in Catalonia in 2026: 1 and 6 January; 3 and 6 April; 1 May; 24 June; 15 August; 11 September; 12 October; and 8, 25 and 26 December. In Aran, 26 December is replaced by 17 June.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Catalonia.
Extremadura
- Extremadura Day: September 8
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Extremadura.
Non-working public holidays in Extremadura in 2026: 1 and January 6; 2 and April 3; May 1; August 15; September 8; October 12; November 2; and 7, 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Extremadura.
Galicia
- St John's Day: June 24
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Galicia.
Non-working public holidays in Galicia in 2026: 1 and January 6; March 19; 2 and April 3; May 1; June 24; July 25; August 15; October 12; and 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Galicia.
Madrid
- Fiesta de la Madrid: May 2
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Madrid.
Non-working public holidays in Madrid in 2026: 1 and January 6; 2 and April 3; 1 and May 2; August 15; October 12; November 2; and 7, 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of la Madrid.
Murcia
- Murcia Day: June 9
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Murcia.
Non-working public holidays in Murcia in 2026: 1 and January 6; March 19; 2 and April 3; May 1; June 9; August 15; October 12; and 7, 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of la Murcia.
Navarre
- Easter Monday: the day after Easter Sunday
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Navarre.
Non-working public holidays in Navarre in 2026: 1 and January 6; March 19; 2, 3 and April 6; May 1; August 15; October 12; November 2; and 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of Navarre.
Basque Country
- Easter Monday: the day after Easter Sunday
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Basque Country.
Non-working public holidays in Basque Country in 2026: 1 and January 6; March 19; 2, 3 and April 6; May 1; July 25; August 15; October 12; and 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in los municipios del Basque Country.
La Rioja
- Easter Monday: the day after Easter Sunday
- La Rioja Day: June 9
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Rioja.
Non-working public holidays in Rioja in 2026: 1 and January 6; 2, 3 and April 6; May 1; June 9; August 15; October 12; and 7, 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of La Rioja.
Valencian Community
- Easter Monday: the day after Easter Sunday
- St John's Day: June 24
- Valencian Community Day: October 9
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Valencian Community.
Non-working public holidays in Valencian Community in 2026: 1 and January 6; March 19; 3 and April 6; May 1; June 24; August 15; October 9; October 12; and 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in the municipalities of la Valencian Community.
Source for all the regional calendars above: Resolution of 17 October 2025 of the Directorate-General for Labour (Official State Gazette no. 259). These dates are supplemented by the two local holidays approved by each municipality.
Festivals in las ciudades autónomas
Ceuta
- Eid al-Adha: 10 de Dhu al-Hijjah
- Nuestra Señora de África: August 5
- Ceuta Day: September 2
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Ceuta.
Non-working public holidays in Ceuta in 2026: 1 and January 6; 2 and April 3; 1 and May 27; 5 and August 15; September 2; October 12; and 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in Ceuta.
Melilla
- Eid al-Fitr: 1 de Shawwal
- Eid al-Adha: 10 de Dhu al-Hijjah
View the 2026 public holiday calendar for Melilla.
Non-working public holidays in Melilla in 2026: 1 and January 6; March 20; 2 and April 3; 1 and May 27; August 15; October 12; and 7, 8 and December 25.
Browse local celebrations in the directory for Festivals in Melilla.
Source for both calendars: Resolution of 17 October 2025 of the Directorate-General for Labour (Official State Gazette no. 259). These dates are supplemented by the two local holidays of each city.
2026 calendar
The dates shown in red are nationwide non-working public holidays throughout Spain.
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Note: the corresponding regional and local holidays must be added to these dates.
Weekdays of nationwide public holidays
- The public holiday on 1 January 2026 falls on a Thursday.
- The public holiday on 6 January 2026 falls on a Tuesday.
- The public holiday on 3 April 2026 falls on a Friday.
- The public holiday on 1 May 2026 falls on a Friday.
- The public holiday on 15 August 2026 falls on a Saturday.
- The public holiday on 12 October 2026 falls on a Monday.
- The public holiday on 8 December 2026 falls on a Tuesday.
- The public holiday on 25 December 2026 falls on a Friday.