And so, 2025 begins, and while many of us can barely believe a quarter of a century has passed since the Millennium, planning our time must take priority for the year ahead.
Monday, January 6, will be the second public holiday of the year with shops, schools, and services shut as Spain exchanges Christmas gifts on the Epiphany.
In total, there are twelve national and regional festivities established; two celebrate local holidays and, according to law, must be added to each town.
The next religion-related national holiday will not be until Thursday, April 17, or ‘Easter Thursday,’ and Good Friday on the 18th. The long gap between public holidays and April usually bringing the first warm weather means this weekend is the biggest for tourism in the first half of the year. If you’re hoping to travel or planning a get-together in a restaurant, reserve early as everything will book out.
On February 28, don’t forget it’s Andalusia Day. It will be a nice long weekend, as this year it lands on a Friday, with shops and services closed.
Then there is May 1, Day of the Workers; August 15, The Assumption, another Catholic day; and October 12, the national day, also known as El Pilar; The Immaculate Conception Day on December 6; Constitution Day on December 8; and how could we forget, Christmas Day on December 25.
Added to these are the local holidays along the Costa del Sol and in Malaga capital: August 19 and September 8; in Estepona, May 15 and July 16; in Marbella, June 11 and October 20; in Mijas, September 8 and October 15; in Fuengirola, July 16 and October 7; in Benalmadena, June 24 and July 16; and in Torremolinos, July 16 and September 29.