National Day of Spain
When is it celebrated
The National Holiday of Spain is celebrated every year on 12 October. It is a fixed date: Law 18/1987 declared it a National Holiday "for all purposes", so it does not depend on the day of the week it falls.
Is it a holiday or a working day?
It is a national and non-replaceable public holiday throughout Spain. The official work calendars include it on 12 October for all the autonomous communities and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Although its permanent nature does not change, it is advisable to consult the calendar of the corresponding year to know how it coincides with weekends and the specific organisation of each work centre.
Origin and geographical link
It is a civic commemoration at the Spanish state level. The explanatory memorandum of Law 18/1987 links the election of 12 October with a historical moment in which, while the State was being configured based on its plurality, a stage of Spanish linguistic and cultural projection beyond Europe began. The official celebration is national in scope, although its central event usually takes place in Madrid.
Regular events
The central programme usually includes the arrival of the Kings, military honours, a review, raising of the flag, tribute to those who gave their lives for Spain, and air and land parades. Afterwards, an institutional reception is traditionally held in the Royal Palace. The Ministry of Defence also programmes complementary activities in different locations and units, whose content and dates change each year.
Usual duration of events
The main event and parade normally occupy several hours of the morning of 12 October, and the institutional reception continues afterwards. Exhibitions, concerts, tributes and open houses related to the festival can be distributed during the days before or after; Therefore, the total duration depends on the official programme of each edition.
Traditions and history
Law 18/1987 unified the National Holiday on 12 October and repealed previous regulations that maintained different denominations and commemorations. Ten years later, Royal Decree 862/1997 moved the most significant events held on Armed Forces Day to that day. From there come characteristic elements such as the tribute to the flag and the fallen and the military parade, conceived as part of the country's civic and institutional celebration.
Where is it celebrated
The holiday applies throughout Spain. Madrid hosts the solemn event and the parade, the exact route of which is published each year, as well as the subsequent reception at the Royal Palace. Military and civil-military events are also organised in other Spanish cities, bases and units, in addition to commemorations promoted by Spanish representations abroad.
Who participates
The Kings usually preside over the central events, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, representatives of the powers of the State, regional presidents and other authorities. Units of the Armed Forces, Royal Guard, Civil Guard and National Police participate according to the annual programme. The parade also brings together the public along the route, while the reception at the Royal Palace is reserved for institutional guests and representatives of different social spheres.