| Event / Holiday |
Where |
When |
|
| New Year (Año Nuevo) |
Every Spanish speaking country |
January 1st |
Celebration of the beginning of the year. Fireworks, etc.
|
| Carnival (Carnival) |
Most Spanish speaking countries |
usually ends on the day before Ash Wednesday |
A celebration before the fasting associated with Lent (Roman Catholic custom). Parades, costumes, dances, Carnival Queen elections, and fireworks.
|
| Easter (Pascuas/Semana Santa) |
Every Spanish speaking country, esp. Spain, Central America, and Peru |
Sunday thru Saturday before the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21 |
Commemorates the week that Christ was crucified and resurrected.
|
| Labor Day (Día del Trabajador) |
Spain only, but other countries have Labor Day holidays also |
May 1st |
Day off from public work- similar to USA Labor day.
|
| Festival- Bonfires of Saint John (Les Fogueres de Sant Joan) |
Spain only |
June 19th to 24th |
Fireworks, parties, and big bonfires.
|
| Assumption of Mary (Asunción) |
Spain only |
August 15th |
|
| Columbus Day (Fiesta Nacional de España) |
Spain only |
October 12th |
Holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus and the nation of Spain. Has parades and other festivities.
|
| All Saint's Day (Día de los Santos) / Halloween (Día de los Muertos) |
Every Spanish speaking country (to varying degrees) |
November 1st |
Celebrates and honors the lives of the deceased and the continuation of life. Death is not the end, but the beginning of another phase of life.
|
| Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución) |
Spain only |
December 6th |
Day celebrating the Constitution of Spain.
|
| Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción) |
Spain only |
December 8th |
Feast celebrating the birth of Mary the mother of Jesus Christ.
|
| Christmas (Navidad) |
Every Spanish speaking country |
December 25th |
Celebrates the birth of Christ. Gifts exchanged, etc. just like in the USA.
|
| The siesta |
Every Spanish speaking country |
mid-afternoon nap |
Not as popular from modern changes, but still exists.
|
