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