Extremadura Day
When is it celebrated
Extremadura Day is celebrated every year on 8 September. It is a fixed date, established by Law 4/1985, which coincides with the festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The main institutional events usually begin the day before, on 7 September, while on the 8th the celebrations of the regional day continue.
Is it a holiday or a working day?
It is a holiday throughout the territory of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura: Law 4/1985 attributes a festive character to it even for work purposes. The official calendar for 2026 confirms Tuesday, 8 September, as a paid and non-recoverable public holiday in Extremadura. It is advisable to check the calendar for each year in case a later provision introduces any particularities.
Origin and geographical link
It is a regional festival linked exclusively to Extremadura. The law that regulated the symbols of the community chose 8 September due to the popular roots and the cultural and historical dimension of the festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe, an invocation closely linked to the Extremaduran identity. Its institutional and labour scope includes the provinces of Badajoz and Cáceres.
Regular events
The usual civil axis is the presentation of the Extremadura Medals, the highest regional distinction, in an event with speeches and cultural performances that takes place on the night of 7 September at the Roman Theater in Mérida. In recent editions, an institutional event with public representatives has also been organised. On the 8th, in Guadalupe, a procession, mass and floral offering are usually celebrated; The specific programme and its schedules change every year.
Usual duration of events
The main commemoration usually covers two days: it begins on 7 September with civil and institutional events and continues on the 8th with the regional festival and the Guadalupe services. Each ceremony takes a few hours, but complementary activities, exhibitions or cultural initiatives can last for more days depending on the annual programme.
Traditions and history
The Assembly of Extremadura officially established this date through Law 4/1985, of 3 June, on the Coat of Arms, Anthem and Day of Extremadura. Its articles 13 and 14 declare 8 September as Extremadura Day and a holiday throughout the community. Since then, the commemoration has combined civic recognition of people and entities through the Medals of Extremadura with the religious tradition of Guadalupe, which explains the historical choice of the date.
Where is it celebrated
It is celebrated throughout Extremadura, both in Cáceres and Badajoz. The most representative settings are Mérida, the regional capital and the usual venue for the Medals ceremony in its Roman Theatre, and Guadalupe, where the main religious services take place. Town councils and cultural entities can also organise their own activities in other municipalities.
Who participates
The Board and Assembly of Extremadura, local and regional authorities, people and entities distinguished with the Medals, artists and professionals responsible for the cultural programme take part. In Guadalupe, religious institutions and those who attend the procession and services also participate. Extremaduran citizens are the recipients and main participants in the commemoration throughout the community.