Castile and Leon Party
When is it celebrated
The Castile and Leon Festival is celebrated on 23 April of each year. It is a fixed date linked to the anniversary of the Battle of Villalar, fought on 23 April 1521, so it does not depend on the liturgical calendar nor does it change days; Concerts and other activities can begin during the afternoon of the 22nd.
Is it a holiday or a working day?
It is a regional public holiday throughout the territory of Castile and Leon. Law 3/1986 established 23 April as a holiday for all purposes and the 2026 state work calendar includes it as an Autonomous Community Holiday. It is advisable to consult the official calendar of each year to confirm its inclusion and the possible specific employment effects.
Origin and geographical link
It is the official holiday of the autonomous community of Castile and Leon and its main geographical reference is Villalar de los Comuneros, in the province of Valladolid. The battle that ended the decisive phase of the War of the Communities of Castile took place there; The modern commemoration turned the town and its countryside into a symbol of community identity and memory.
Regular events
Folk and contemporary music concerts, social and political collective tents, craft and gastronomy stalls, parades and commemorative events linked to the community members are common in Villalar. Institutional programmes also include cultural activities in other parts of the community. The content and schedules change in each edition.
Usual duration of events
The official day is 23 April, but the central celebration of Villalar usually extends from the afternoon or evening of the 22nd to the end of the 23rd. Within that framework, events of different durations take place in the urban centre and in La Campa; Other Castile and Leon cultural initiatives may be scheduled in the coming days.
Traditions and history
The date remembers the defeat of the communal army in Villalar in 1521 and the subsequent execution of Juan de Padilla, Juan Bravo and Francisco Maldonado. The contemporary concentration was recovered during the Transition and since 1977 Villalar has been the main place of the celebration; In 1986 the Board legally established 23 April as a community holiday. The visit to the communal monolith, the flags, popular music and the protest atmosphere are part of its tradition.
Where is it celebrated
It is celebrated in the nine provinces of Castile and Leon, with activities that depend on the annual programming. The most representative focus is on Villalar de los Comuneros: The stages and tents are distributed between the urban area and the area known as La Campa, close to the historical site of the battle.
Who participates
Residents and visitors from the entire community, artists, artisans, cultural associations, social organisations, unions and political parties participate. The Villalar de los Comuneros City Council intervenes in the local organisation, with the support of regional institutions and public services in charge of programming, mobility and security.