| The holidays in Spain are a great time to visit the | | | | festivals are unique to each area. |
| country. There are interesting holidays and | | | | Autumn and Winter Holidays in Spain |
| celebrations in every season. Most of the public | | | | Columbus Day is celebrated on October 12. This is |
| holidays are religious in nature. Most of the | | | | also the National Holiday of Spain or Hispanic Day. |
| country is Roman Catholic There are many | | | | It commemorates the arrival of Christopher |
| festivals and processions held at different times in | | | | Columbus in the Americas. There are festivals and |
| both large and small cities. | | | | celebrations in honor of Columbus. |
| Spring and Summer Holidays in Spain | | | | All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1st. This |
| Good Friday is an important holiday in the spring. | | | | is a Catholic holiday honouring all Saints and |
| This is the Friday before Easter Sunday. On Good | | | | Martyrs. In Spain, offerings are made on this day. |
| Friday, many cities have large processions and | | | | The holiday first began in the fourth century. The |
| festivals. At many of these, there are | | | | play Don Juan Tenorio is often performed on All |
| re-enactments of the crucifixion. There are | | | | Saints Day. |
| processions throughout Holy Week in many areas. | | | | Constitution Day is celebrated on December 6. |
| Easter Sunday is another important holiday in | | | | This holiday celebrates Spain's transition to |
| Spain. This day commemorates the Resurrection | | | | democracy. The constitution was approved in a |
| of Jesus. There are many festivals that extend to | | | | referendum by voters on December 6, 1978. This |
| Easter Sunday. This is a joyous holiday that is | | | | is also an important national holiday. |
| celebrated in large and small festivals throughout | | | | The Immaculate Conception is December 8 and is |
| the country. | | | | another Catholic holiday. This day has been a |
| In the late spring or early summer, the holiday of | | | | feast day in the church since the 7th century. |
| Corpus Christi is celebrated. This means the Body | | | | The day is in honor of Mary, who was born free |
| of Christ. The feast celebrates the sacrament of | | | | from original sin and became the mother of Jesus. |
| the Holy Eucharist. This is a Catholic holiday that is | | | | It is a public holiday. |
| considered very important. There are processions | | | | Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and is a |
| and religious celebrations on this day. | | | | religious holiday. Christmas is a twelve day festival |
| The feast of Corpus Christi falls on a different | | | | that ends on January 6. During this time, there are |
| day each year. It is celebrated on the first | | | | many processions and festivals celebrating the |
| Sunday after Trinity Sunday. This varies each | | | | birth of Jesus and the arrival of the Magi. |
| year, but is typically in May or June. | | | | January 6 is the end of the Christmas |
| St. John's is celebrated in June 24. On the eve of | | | | celebrations. This is the Epiphany which celebrates |
| June 23, there are bonfires and effigies are | | | | the visit of the wise men to Bethlehem to see |
| burned. People jump over the bonfires. It is | | | | the infant Jesus. It is also called El Dia de los |
| believed that jumping over the fire three times | | | | Reyes or the Day of the Kings. In Spanish |
| can cleanse the person of sin and cure disease. | | | | tradition, the three kings represented Arabia, |
| Different areas have a variety of traditions and | | | | Africa and Europe arrived with gifts for the baby |
| festivals celebrating this day. Jumping over the fire | | | | Jesus. Many towns have large processions and |
| is one common element in these celebrations. The | | | | festivals to celebrate this holiday. |