Andalusia is not just a calendar, it’s a pace of lifeIn 2026, embracing this rhythm is the key to transforming a simple stay into a vibrant experience, where authenticity meets spectacle. Forget dry lists: dive in with us to the true meaning of Andalusian festivalsWe’re giving you the guide to navigating like a local between sacred processions, wild festivals and clever little bridges.
Public Holidays & Long Weekends in Andalusia – 2026
Here is the complete list. The final dates for local festivals (city by city) are generally confirmed at the end of 2025 by publication in the Official Bulletin of each province.
📅 Official Public Holidays in Andalusia 2026
Trick : 🔄 Tilt your phone to read the tables more easily.
| Date | Day | Name | Kind | Noticed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu. Jan. 1st | THURSDAY | New Year | National | Public holiday throughout Spain. |
| Fri. Jan. 2 | Friday | Capture of Grenada | Local Granada | Public holiday in the province of Granada only. |
| Tue. Jan. 6 | Tuesday | Epiphany (Los Reyes) | National | A very large family celebration. Parades everywhere on the evening of the 5th. |
| Sat. Feb. 28 | SATURDAY | Andalusian Day | Regional | Festival of the autonomous community. Public holiday throughout Andalusia. |
| Mon. Feb. 16 | Monday | Carnival Monday | Local Cadiz | Central day of the famous Cadiz Carnival. |
| Thu. Apr. 2 | THURSDAY | Maundy Thursday | National/Religious | The great processions of Holy Week have begun. |
| Fri. Apr. 3 | Friday | Good Friday | National/Religious | The most solemn day of Holy Week. |
| Wed. Apr. 22 | Wednesday | April Fair | Local Seville | Start of the great Feria (in general). |
| Fri. May 1st | Friday | Labor Day | National | Public holiday throughout Spain. |
| Wed. June 24 | Wednesday | San Juan | Local Almería | Saint John’s Day celebration, often with bonfires on the beach. |
| Sat. August 15 | SATURDAY | Assumption | National/Religious | An important festival in the middle of summer. |
| Wed. August 19 | Wednesday | Malaga Fair | Local Malaga | The main festivities begin. |
| Mon. Oct. 12 | Monday | National Day of Spain | National | Hispanic Day (Día de la Hispanidad). |
| Sat. Oct. 24 | SATURDAY | San Rafael | Local Cordoba | Festival of the city’s patron saint. |
| Mon. Nov. 2 | Monday | All Saints’ Day | National | Visit to cemeteries. (Postponed from Sunday, November 1st). |
| Mon. Dec. 7 | Monday | Constitution Day | National | Date postponed (December 6th is a Sunday). |
| Tue. Dec. 8 | Tuesday | Immaculate Conception | National/Religious | Public holiday throughout Spain. |
| Fri. Dec. 25 | Friday | Christmas | National/Religious | Family celebration. |
🌉 Potential Bridges in 2026
“Automatic” bridges (the public holiday falls on a Friday or Monday):
- Friday, May 1st : 3-day weekend (May 1st, 2nd, 3rd).
- Monday, November 2nd : 3-day weekend (Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 2).
Bridges by postponement (public holiday on Sunday postponed to Monday):
- Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th December : Exceptional 4-day long weekend (from Saturday 5th to Tuesday 8th December inclusive). Ideal for a stay.
Long weekends to create (with 1 day off):
- Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd April (Holy Thursday/Good Friday): By taking Monday, April 6th off, you have 5 days of vacation (April 2nd to 6th).
- Tuesday, January 6 (Epiphany): By taking Monday, January 5th off, a 3-day weekend.
Please note: THE Saturday, February 28 (Andalusian Day) and the Saturday, August 15 (Assumption) falls on a Saturday, so it does not create a long weekend.
💡 To plan without surprises
- Transportation & Accommodation Book well in advance for the May and December bank holidays, as well as for the big fairs (Seville in April, Malaga in August).
- Openings : On a public holiday, government offices and most shops are closed, but restaurants, bars and party venues are open, especially during festivals.
- Local Festivals : To check the exact date of local festivals (often linked to a patron saint or a feria), consult the website of the relevant town hall at the end of 2025.
📆 Understanding the Andalusian Festival Landscape: National, Regional, Local
To truly master your planning, visualize Andalusia as a three-layered canvas. First, the base national, common to all of Spain. Then, the layer regionalthe beating heart of Andalusian identity. Finally, the detail local, the unique soul of each city. Intersecting these three levels is the art of forging a tailor-made itinerary.
The National Foundation (The Essentials)
These dates mark the rhythm of life for the entire country. In 2026, be sure to:
- Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd April : THE Holy Thursday and Good FridayMuch more than just days off, it’s the pinnacle of the Santa ClausThe drums resound, the pasos (Chariots) gleaming, advance with palpable fervor. Seville, Malaga or GranadaThe emotion grips you.
- Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th December : A solid gold bridgeConstitution Day (postponed) and the Immaculate Conception follow one another to offer 4 days of freedomThe perfect opportunity for a winter city break under the Andalusian sun, between Christmas markets (Navideños markets) and thermal gentleness.
The Andalusian Heart (Regional Pride)
Here, we celebrate the soul of the South. Two dates embody this spirit:
- Saturday, February 28 : THE Andalusian DayThe region is celebrating its anniversary. Taste the…habas con jamón (Ham and beans), a symbol of sharing, and immerse yourself in a proud and joyful sense of belonging. Independent museums often offer free admission.
- Monday, November 2nd : There All Saints’ DayFar from being somber, it’s a colorful day of remembrance. Families go to the cemetery to place flowers on the graves, creating a touching mosaic of chrysanthemums. A poignant glimpse into the intimacy of traditions.
The Soul of Cities (Local Gems)
Each provincial capital has its two sacred days. That’s where the magic really happens.
Here are our top picks for 2026:
| City | Local Public Holiday 2026 | The Spirit of the Festival | Our Insider Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seville | Wednesday, April 22 | April Fair The world turned upside down. Women in gypsy dresses, men in leotards, the rebujito (sherry-mint) flows freely in the casetas (shacks). | Avoid the opening weekend, it’s extremely crowded. Opt for Monday or Tuesday evening for a more local atmosphere. Look for the casetas public spaces for entry without an invitation. |
| Málaga | Wednesday, August 19 | Malaga Fair Summer at its peak. A day in the historic center (day fair), at night at the exhibition center (night fair). Electrical energy. | Taste the sardine espetos (grilled sardines on a can) in the chiringuitos from La Malagueta beach. The essence of the Malaga summer. |
| Cadiz | Monday, February 16 | Carnival Humor and satire as a way of life. Wacky costumes, chirigotas (singing groups) and absolute freedom. | Lose yourself in the maze of the district of PopoloThe best improvisations arise in the corners of small squares. |
| Grenade | Friday January 2 | Toma de Granada Commemorates the surrender of the city in 1492. Solemn ceremonies and a unique view of the Alhambra under the banner of the Catholic Monarchs. | Take advantage of the fact that most visitors are unaware of it to explore the Nasrid palaces with fewer crowds. A paradoxically quiet day. |
| Cordoba | Saturday, October 24 | Feria de Ntra. Sra. of Salud A more family-friendly and authentic feria than its larger counterparts. Relaxed atmosphere on the outskirts of the city. | Now is the time to savor the salmorejo (thick tomato cream) and to see flamenco in its most intimate version. |
| Jerez | Variable (Sept.) | Harvest Festival (Harvest Festival): The wine-growing heart of the region beats to the rhythm of sherry. Horse parades, grape pressing. | Visit a bodega to taste a fino at the source. The atmosphere is festive yet refined, like the wine of Jerez. |
🎯 The Smart Plan: Avoid the Crowds Without Missing What Matters
Public holidays mean crowds. But with a little know-how, you can enjoy the festivities without the downsides.
- The “Before/After” Strategy : Arrive the day before of a major public holiday. You witness the preparations, often more authentic, and find reasonably priced accommodation. For the Seville Fair, arriving on Tuesday, April 21st, is a magic key.
- The Awesome “Side Parties” : Flee the epicenter for the satellites. Instead of the April Fair, try the Jerez Fair (May) or that of Cordoba (end of May). Same spirit, less pressure.
- The Cultural Counterpoint While everyone is in the streets, some museums are deserted. THE Carnival Monday Cadiz may be the perfect time to visit its archaeological museum in rare tranquility.
🗺️ Favorite Routes Around the Bridges 2026
2026 offers an ideal playground with its bridges. We’ve created scenarios for you that blend festivities and beautiful getaways.
- May Bridge (April 30 – May 3) : Wild Andalusia.
- Day 1-2 : Seville For May 1st, nothing to worry about. Then off to… Aracena to the north, for the Caves of Maravillas and the best Iberian hams.
- Day 3-4 : Road to El Rocío, a village with sandy streets. Then, the national park of DonanaA kingdom of lynxes and flamingos. A breath of fresh air after the hustle and bustle of the city.
- December long weekend (December 5-8) : Winter Lights.
- Day 1-2 : Grenade for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The Alhambra under the winter light is magical. Enjoy the churros with chocolate to cope with the cold.
- Day 3-4 : Heading towards the AlpujarrasWhite villages clinging to the mountainside. Craft markets, gentle hikes and te al estilo moruno (mint tea) by the fireside.
💎 Your Fiesta Survival Kit
- Move Smart : On public holidays, bus and train (Renfe) timetables are skeletal. Rent a car is often the only option for true freedom, especially for festivals on the outskirts of towns. Book months in advance.
- Eat Local, Authentic During Holy Week, the torrijas (Spicy brioche) are everywhere. At the Feria, insist on finding the casetas with pescaíto frito de la bahía (fish from the bay) and not frozen. Your taste buds will taste the difference.
- The Final Word : “Olé!” But not just any time. Save it for a good glass of flamenco, a bullfight (if you’re a fan of bullfighting), or a good joke at Carnival. It seals a moment of pure, shared emotion.
Ultimately, experiencing Andalusia in 2026 through its holidays means accepting to be carried by its vital flow. It’s saying “yes” to the unexpected, like a procession blocking your path, “yes” to the invitation in a caseta“Yes” to a closing day that pushes you towards an unfamiliar village. This schedule is not a constraint, but the The best possible invitation to dance, without inhibition, to the rhythm of the south.
For a less hot and more relaxed holiday, read our article on… Public holidays, long weekends and school holidays in France in 2026:
Sources for this article: Andalusian Official Gazette 2026
