Public holiday in Spain
Epiphany in Spain
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
Epiphany is a nationwide public holiday in Spain on 6 January, marking the end of the Christmas season. It is especially associated with the arrival of the Three Wise Men and with family gift-giving.
About Epiphany in Spain
In Spain, Epiphany is a nationwide public holiday and one of the most significant dates in the Christmas period. It closes the festive season after New Year and is closely linked with the story of the Magi, who are central to Spanish holiday customs. For many families, the day matters as much as, or more than, 25 December because gifts are traditionally exchanged then rather than on Christmas Day. Shops and services may have altered hours, and many towns and cities focus their holiday programming on the days leading up to 6 January rather than on the date itself alone.
History
The Spanish observance of Epiphany grew from long-standing Catholic tradition, reflecting the feast’s place in the liturgical calendar. Over time, the day became established in popular culture as the date associated with the Three Kings and children’s presents, and it came to be widely recognized as a public holiday across Spain.
Traditions
The best-known Spanish Epiphany custom is the Cabalgata de Reyes, the parade held on the evening of 5 January in many towns and cities. Floats, music and costumed pages accompany the Three Kings, who are welcomed by crowds of families and children. Children often leave shoes out the night before so the Magi can place gifts inside or nearby. Many households also prepare a Roscón de Reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread or cake usually eaten on 6 January, often with hidden figurines or a bean inside.
How Epiphany is celebrated in Spain
The holiday is usually spent with family, opening gifts and sharing food at home. In many places the morning of 6 January is the main moment for presents, especially for children. Because the celebration is centered on the end of the Christmas period, the days immediately before it are often marked by parades, crowded city streets and last-minute shopping for gifts and roscón.
Interesting facts
In Spain, Epiphany is commonly called Día de Reyes, or Three Kings Day. It is one of the key dates that frames the Spanish Christmas season, with the main public celebrations concentrated on the evening before the holiday and the morning itself.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 Jan 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.