Public holiday in Spain
Constitution Day - in lieu in Spain
Monday, December 7, 2026
Regional public holiday
Observed in Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and León, Extremadura, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla, Murcia
Constitution Day (in lieu) is the substituted public-holiday observance of Spain’s Constitution Day when 6 December falls on a non-working day in some regions. In 2026, it applies only in the listed autonomous communities and city of Melilla.
About Constitution Day - in lieu in Spain
This day marks the regional observance used to replace Spain’s Constitution Day holiday for places where the standard December 6 holiday is not taken on that date. It matters mainly as a working-calendar adjustment within the affected autonomous communities, rather than as a separate national commemoration. Because the holiday is regional, its practical effect is limited to the areas named in the calendar data. It also falls immediately before the national holiday of Immaculate Conception on 8 December, so the first week of December can create a short holiday period in Spain, but the exact days off depend on the local calendar.
History
Spain’s Constitution Day commemorates the approval of the 1978 Spanish Constitution in the referendum held on 6 December 1978. The present observance follows from Spain’s post-Franco constitutional transition, which established the current democratic system and territorial organization of the state. The “in lieu” form reflects the way public holidays can be shifted in Spain’s regional calendars when a date is replaced by another non-working day in a specific area.
How Constitution Day - in lieu is celebrated in Spain
In the affected regions, the day is generally observed as a day off in the public calendar. Many people use the long December holiday period for travel, short breaks or time with family, while shops and services follow their own schedules according to local practice.
Interesting facts
Constitution Day is one of Spain’s national civil holidays, but the in-lieu observance is not nationwide in the calendar data provided. Its proximity to 8 December can create a cluster of non-working days in early December, depending on the region and year.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 Dec 2026 | — | Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and León, Extremadura, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Melilla |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.