August in Spain – where is everyone?

August in Spain – where is everyone? The answer to that is that the world and his wife goes on holiday in Spain in August, and that applies to the Spaniards themselves, as much as it does to the tourists that flock to the second most popular holiday destination in the world. Schools and universities…

1st May – Dia de los Trabajadores – Labour Day

Brief history This day off for workers has its roots in the fight for workers rights in the USA in the late 1880’s and eventually led to the advent of the 8 hour working day, with Spain being the first European country to recognise this officially. Ironically, Labor Day in the USA is actually celebrated…

Semana Santa in Spain

Lasting from Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) to Easter Sunday (Lunes de Pascua) , Semana Santa (Holy Week) is  the most important annual cultural and religious event in Spain. Although each Spanish region, and even city and village, has its own customs and practices for Easter, Andalucia takes top spot for spectacular processions. Sumptuously decorated…

National and Bank holidays in Spain in 2022

In Spain, each year there are 14 bank holidays (dias festivos), made up of 10 National holidays (of which two can be substituted by the region), 2 regional holidays and 2 local municipal holidays. 2022 will be a good year for long weekends and “puentes” – when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or…

Halloween in Spain – Witches, Saints and honouring the dead

The origins of Halloween go back centuries, and Halloween in Spain is a real mixture of the traditional and modern. From trick or treaters, costume parties, zombie theatre to family gatherings at the local cemetery and church services to honour the lives of loved ones.  ”Truco o trato” (trick or treat) is relatively new to…