Easter Monday in Catalonia
When is it celebrated
It is celebrated the day after Easter Sunday. It is a mobile date linked to the ecclesiastical calculation of Easter, so it falls between 23 March and 26 April. In 2026 it corresponds to Monday, 6 April; The specific date must be checked every year.
Is it a holiday or a working day?
In Catalonia it is a regional public holiday when it is included in the official calendar. The Generalitat establishes 6 April as a paid and non-recoverable holiday in 2026, a fact that is also included in the state resolution published by the BOE. This condition should not be extended to all of Spain and it is advisable to review the provision for the corresponding year.
Origin and geographical link
The day belongs to the Christian Easter cycle and was not born as an exclusively Catalan commemoration. In Catalonia, however, it acquires its own cultural and work connection: it is known as Easter Dillons o Pasqua Florida and closes a long holiday weekend with deep-rooted family customs.
Regular events
The most common thing is to get together with family or friends to eat the Easter cake. In different towns they also organise aplecs, field trips and popular culture activities; The singing of caramelles is part of the Easter cycle, although its calendar and format depend on each location and the annual programming.
Usual duration of events
The work party takes up one day, but the meetings usually focus on lunch and the after-dinner meal on Monday. Popular events can last a few hours or extend for a good part of the day; In addition, some programmes link with Easter Sunday celebrations or with previous Holy Week activities.
Traditions and history
The most characteristic Catalan tradition is the mona: the godfather gives this sweet to his godson or goddaughter and the family shares it. The old forms were roscones or cakes with hard-boiled eggs; Over time, chocolate eggs and figures, feathers and decorative chicks became widespread. The Barcelona City Council documents that the name of the monkey already appears in the 15th century, although there are several theories, inconclusive, about its etymology and remote origins.
From a religious point of view, Monday is part of the Easter Octave: the liturgy extends the celebration of the resurrection of Christ during that week. This dimension coexists today with the family, gastronomic and recreational nature of the day.
Where is it celebrated
The condition of a public holiday applies throughout Catalonia in accordance with the regional calendar. Meals are celebrated in homes, restaurants and outdoor leisure spaces, while aplecs and cultural events are distributed by municipalities and specific venues according to each local programme.
Who participates
Families, godfathers, godmothers, godchildren and groups of friends especially participate. Pastry shops and workshops make the monas, and town councils, cultural entities, parishes and local associations can organise activities. Attendance at popular meetings is open and varies according to the population.