Friday August 15th is a public holiday across every region of Spain. Find out why and how the country celebrates this day.
August is holiday season in Spain, the month when offices close, many small bars and cafes shut up shop and people head away from the cities towards the coasts.
There are of course some people that have to work during August, but Friday August 15th is a public holiday in all regions of Spain, meaning that businesses that usually stay open in the summer, such as supermarket chains, will close.
READ ALSO: What’s open and what’s closed during August in Spain?
August 15th is an important date in the Spanish calendar not only because it’s a public holiday but also as it’s a day to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin, which according to Catholics commemorates the day the Virgin Mary entered heaven. This will be honoured with church masses across the country.
Every year, August 15th is a guaranteed vacation day, unless it falls on Sunday. In that case, each region can decide if they want to keep the holiday or change it to another day, such as moving it to the next day.
Pretty much every city and town in Spain pays tribute to its patron Virgin: Madrid celebrates Virgen de la Paloma Day, Seville has la Virgen de los Reyes and the Canary Islands venerate la Virgen de la Candelaria. Local celebrations may involve outdoor festivals, processions, bull runs, pilgrimages and other long-standing traditions.
In fact, August 15th is considered to be the day with the most local festivals (fiestas patronales) in Spain, with 1,196 municipalities holding their own celebrations.
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When is the next public holiday?
The next national public holiday won’t be until October 12th, celebrating the national day of Spain. However, some regions will have their own public holidays before then.
For example, September 11th is La Diada in Catalonia, celebrating the National Day of Catalonia.
