Customs in Spain

There are many customs and celebrations enjoyed in Spain. However, life stands still on public holidays for most of the regions in Spain, which is something that visitors need to keep in mind. Usually the shops are closed, the transportation system becomes non-existent and events are closed.  Most Sunday shopping, especially in Madrid, is open only on the first Sunday of each month. The stores like El Corte Ingles and FNAC may be open on holidays but not on Sundays and Worker’s Day, May 1.

The public holidays that are celebrated in Spain are New Year’s Day (January 1), Epiphany (January 6), Semana Santa (Easter week), Worker’s Day (May 1), Assumption of the Virgin (August 15), National Day (October 12), All Saints (November 1), Constitution Day (December 6), Immaculate Conception (December 8), and Navidad (December 24). Christmas day is not as important as Christmas Eve and many shops are open in the morning on December 25th.

The best-known customs of Spain involve bullfights and Flamenco. Flamenco is a core part of the Spanish customs. It is traditionally preformed in many parts of Spain but mostly in the southern regions. The singin, Cante, the dancing, Baile, and the guitar playing, Guitarra, make up the Flamenco. The gypsies in earlier years preformed this traditional type of musical art. Historians claim that many diverse cultures and civilizations, directly and indirectly, influenced the Flamenco. The juerga is the authentic Flamenco, which is preformed for a small group of friends, at midnight in the moonlight accompied only by the voice, the guitar and the dancer.

In Seville, in April, the Feria de Abril takes place and is a highly celebrated event. Another highly celebrated event is Semana Santa, Easter week, which has world-famous processions and parades. Then, in May, there is El Rocio, a traditional religious pilgrimage to the village El Rocio. Las Fallas de San Jose in Valencia, held in March, is a party of good fun and lots of fireworks. In February, in San Sebastian, the La Tamburrada is a wild week to enjoy these festivities.  Carnival is popular throughout Spain but Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Cadiz and Sitges are the best places to enjoy this custom. In May, San Isidro takes place in Madrid. This involves the sport of  Spanish bullfighting, a well-known event for the country.