Public holiday in Spain
Holy Thursday in Spain
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Regional public holiday
Observed in Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Basque Country, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castile and León, Castilla-La Mancha, Ceuta, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla, Murcia, Navarre
Holy Thursday is the Thursday of Easter week in Spain, observed as a public holiday in many regions. It is especially significant in places where Holy Week processions and church services shape the day.
About Holy Thursday in Spain
In Spain, Holy Thursday is part of the Easter week cycle of observances linked to the Passion of Christ. Its public-holiday status is regional rather than nationwide, so the day matters most in the listed autonomous communities and cities where religious ceremonies and Holy Week schedules set the tone for public life. It sits between the quieter build-up of Holy Week and Good Friday, with many local calendars organized around church services, processions and family plans. In places where it is observed as a holiday, the day can affect opening hours and the rhythm of city life, especially in towns with major Semana Santa events.
History
Holy Thursday became established in Spain through the country’s long Catholic liturgical tradition, with Holy Week observance developing over centuries in church life and public custom. Its regional public-holiday status reflects the way Spain’s autonomous communities have long varied in how they mark Easter week.
Traditions
The most characteristic Spanish Holy Thursday customs are tied to Holy Week ceremonies: evening and night processions, visits to churches, and solemn liturgy commemorating the Last Supper. In some places, brotherhoods and religious confraternities carry devotional images through the streets, often accompanied by incense, candles and music. Traditional food on the day is not uniform nationwide, but it falls within the wider Spanish Easter period when many households keep to meat-free meals and simple dishes associated with Lent and Holy Week.
How Holy Thursday is celebrated in Spain
In the regions where it is a public holiday, Holy Thursday is commonly marked by attendance at services and by processions that draw large local crowds. Town centres in cities known for Semana Santa may be busier in the evening than during the daytime, while other areas keep a more subdued pace focused on family time and worship.
Interesting facts
The holiday is observed in a broad but not nationwide group of regions, including both mainland communities and the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, and the North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Its regional scope means the day can be a normal working day in parts of Spain outside the listed areas.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 Apr 2026 | — | Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castile and León, Extremadura, Galicia, Balearic Islands, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre, Basque Country, Ceuta, Melilla |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.