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Submitted by Jennifer Bander
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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. John’s 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 Spain’s 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.
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