May 1st bank holiday, Mother’s Day, preschool and petrol station strikes and plenty of festivals, this is what to expect in May 2026 in Spain.
May 1st public holiday
El Día del Trabajador or Labour Day in Spain is a public holiday in Spain’s 17 regions. Like much of the rest of the world, it is held on May 1st. In 2026, May 1st will fall on a Friday.
It will be a holiday all over the country, so wherever you live, you will likely have a day off work and kids will get the day off school. Shops and other businesses will also be closed on this day. This means most workers will be able to enjoy a three-day long week at the start of the month.
May 2nd holiday in Madrid
If you live in Madrid, there is also another public holiday on May 2nd. As this holiday falls on a Saturday this year, it’s unlikely to affect those who work normal Monday to Friday hours. It may mean that shops and supermarkets will close on this day though.
The holiday commemorates the day in 1808 when residents of the city rose up against Napoleon’s troops in the Peninsula War. The city’s Malasaña district will be filled with festivities and music to celebrate Dos de Mayo.
Mother’s Day on May 3rd
Unlike Father’s Day in Spain, which is always celebrated on the Day of San José on March 19th, Mother’s Day changes each year in Spain.
It is typically celebrated on the first Sunday in May, which this year will fall on May 3rd. Spain has been celebrating Mother’s Day in this way, changing each year for over 50 years.
Mother’s Day is Spain is usually celebrated similarly to other countries with children giving gifts to their mothers and going for celebratory meals.
READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about Mother’s Day in Spain
Petrol station strike
Trade unions have called for a strike at Spanish petrol stations to coincide with the May bank holiday weekend.
The walkouts have been timed to disrupt the so-called ‘operación salida y retorno‘ when millions of Spaniards take advantage of the long weekend to travel.
Walkouts are scheduled for two key days of travel: Thursday 30th April, with a partial strike from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and also on Sunday 3rd May, when there will be a 24-hour strike.
READ ALSO: Spanish unions call petrol station strike over May bank holiday
Advertisement
Nursery workers strike
Preschool employees are also due to stage stoppages in May. The Spanish Workers’ Commissions (CCOO) union has called for national walkout for both public and private nurseries throughout Spain affecting kids ages 0-3 years.
The walkout is set to take place on Thursday May 7th with no nurseries open that day.
Unions are demanding that the Ministry of Education and parliamentary groups include preschool in the draft law on student-teacher ratios and school hours.
They are also calling for two teachers per classroom, extra resources for students with special educational needs, a reduction in the number of teaching hours and, “above all,” improved salaries.
READ ALSO: Nursery workers to strike in Spain in May
Start date for when you can do your annual tax return by phone
The income tax campaign began on April 8th this year, meaning you can submit your return any time between now and June 30th. But if you want to be able to submit your return by phone rather than online, you’ll have to wait until May 6th.
You can call 915 357 326 or 901 121 224 Monday to Friday between 9am and 7pm.
Advertisement
Patios de Córdoba Festival
The Patios de Córdoba is one of the highlights of the calendar year in the southern Andalusian city. This year it will be held from May 4th-17th. The festival has been recognised by UNESCO and is inscribed on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. During the event, the city’s private courtyards and gardens, which are usually closed to the public, open up just over a week. Each one is decorated in an impressive floral display and prizes are awarded for the best.
Cruces de Mayo Festival
The Cruces de Mayo or May Crosses festival takes in cities across the southern part of the country including Granada, Córdoba, Lebrija and Cartagena, among others. The celebrations will take place sometime between April 29th and May 3rd, with the 3rd being the Feast of the Holy Cross in the Christian calendar. Most cities celebrate it by decorating huge crosses with flowers and placing them in plazas for all to admire. There’s typically music, dancing and feasting involved too.
Advertisement
Temps de Flors Festival in Girona
Andalusia is not the only place where floral festivals take place during May. Catalonia hosts its own in the medieval city of Girona. The Temps de Flors festival will take place this year from May 9th-17th. During these days, floral installations are set up all over the city, in parks, museums, public squares and gardens.
Romería del Rocío
One of Spain’s most important annual pilgrimages takes place during May. The Romería del Rocío is held 50 days after the end of Holy Week. This year’s event is takes place from May 22nd to the 25th. During the event thousands of pilgrims arrive on foot and on horseback from all Spain to reach the sanctuary located in the village of El Rocío in Huelva.
