Festivals, Fiestas, Holidays
1052 newsReaders can follow how national headlines become local stories across Spanish cities, regions, institutions and communities.
RTVE names 18 acts for Benidorm Fest 2027
RTVE has named 18 acts for Benidorm Fest 2027, including Vicco and Ladilla Rusa. More than 1,000 applications were submitted; the semi-finals are set for 26 and 28 January.
Sofía brings a red suit to Spain’s National Day
At Madrid’s 12 October ceremony, Infanta Sofía wore a red double-breasted suit with gold buttons. It stood apart from princesa Leonor’s Army parade uniform.
Mercadona shutters stores nationwide for Día de la Hispanidad
Mercadona will keep supermarkets closed across Spain on October 12 for Día de la Hispanidad and the Pilar holiday. The two-day pause, including Sunday, underscores the chain’s hardline stance on holiday closures.
Spain's Supermarket Hours Split on 11 and 12 October
Spain's national holiday could change supermarket hours. Mercadona is generally expected to close, while selected convenience stores may open with reduced hours. Each branch requires a direct check.
Canary Islands divide shops over 12 October openings
The 12 October 2026 retail calendars split the Canary Islands. Gran Canaria and Tenerife are scheduled to close, while five other islands permit opening and individual retailers retain control of their hours.
Zaragoza puts firefighters at the heart of Pilar 2026
Zaragoza opens Fiestas del Pilar 2026 on 10 October with firefighters delivering the pregón from the Town Hall balcony. A sports parade and concerts will then spread activity across the city.
Valencia Pyrotechnics Draw a Line: Clear Plaza or Cancel October 9 Mascletà
Valencia’s fireworks industry is demanding the protest camp leave the city’s main square so the October 9 mascletà can go ahead. Organizers warn that any last-minute changes could put safety at risk and spark lawsuits.
Storms and cold air threaten Spain during the Pilar holiday
Spain faces a turbulent Pilar holiday as Aemet signals the arrival of intense storms, heavy rainfall, and a sharp drop in temperatures. The southwest, Alborán, Canary Islands, and Balearic Islands are set for the most severe weather, with some areas under orange alert.
Storm threat looms over southern Spain as DANA formation sparks concern
Southern Spain faces a potential weather disruption as Mario Picazo signals the risk of a DANA forming near the peninsula. The timing could coincide with the Pilar holiday, raising the prospect of intense rainfall in key regions. Uncertainty remains high as forecasts evolve.
Primavera Sound unveils its 25th anniversary lineup
Doechii leads a 151-artist bill built around indie favourites, new voices and a stronger female presence. Primavera Sound will run in Barcelona from 3 to 5 June 2027, with a free opening day and an electronic programme on 6 June.
Primavera Sound 2027 sets its 25th anniversary lineup
Primavera Sound will run in Barcelona from 2 to 6 June 2027. Doechii will make her Spanish debut alongside Phoebe Bridgers, Massive Attack and 148 other acts.
Primavera Sound Barcelona drops 2027 headliners: Phoebe Bridgers, Doechii, Massive Attack
Primavera Sound Barcelona has announced its 25th edition for June 2027, revealing a lineup led by Phoebe Bridgers, Doechii, Massive Attack, and Fontaines D.C. The festival will feature 151 acts, special collaborations, and exclusive performances.
Only select regions in Spain will get a November holiday break
Spain’s All Saints’ Day holiday in 2027 lands on a Sunday, but only some regions will shift the day off to Monday. Millions will miss out on the long weekend, as the BOE confirms which communities will benefit and which will not.
Temporada Alta turns 35 with Girona still at its core
Temporada Alta's 35th edition runs from 3 October to 8 December, with 91 shows in Girona, Salt and other municipalities. Early demand has already added performances to 12 productions as the festival expands its international programme without loosening its ties to Girona.
Classic cars take center stage at Rafal patronal festival
Rafal’s patronal festivities bring classic cars, music, and local traditions to the forefront. Residents of all ages gather for a week of unique events, blending nostalgia with vibrant community spirit.
Grande-Marlaska joins Guardia Civil parade in Cádiz for key celebration
Cádiz becomes the stage for the Guardia Civil’s main annual celebration as Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska attends a major parade. The event also highlights the growing presence of women in the force and the institution’s push for equality.
Spain sets its 2027 holiday calendar
Spain will have 14 public holidays in 2027. Nine apply nationwide, while regional and local authorities set the other five. Six regions will move the Assumption of the Virgin from Sunday 15 August to Monday 16 August.
Ted Huffman strips away Carmen's inherited mythology
Les Arts de Valencia will open its 2026-2027 season with Carmen on 2 October. Ted Huffman leaves the stage machinery in view and puts a woman fighting for freedom inside a violent society at the center of the opera.
Spain faces a year of long weekends packed into the final months of 2027
Spain’s 2027 work calendar will deliver its most generous long weekends in the last quarter of the year. With major national holidays falling on Mondays and Tuesdays, the autumn promises extended breaks, while the first half of the year remains sparse for those seeking time off.
Spain faces shifting holiday calendar as key 2026 dates move
Spain’s 2026 public holiday calendar brings major changes for workers. With Christmas falling on a Friday and several national holidays shifting to Mondays, the traditional long weekends are reshaped. Regional differences mean not everyone will benefit equally from the new schedule.
Barcelona draws 121000 people to its new beach Piromusical
Works at the Fira de Barcelona complex moved La Mercè's closing show from Maria Cristina to Nova Icària. Around 121000 people watched the music and fireworks from the beach and higher points across Barcelona.
Barcelona puts Oques Grasses at the heart of its new Piromusical
Barcelona closed La Mercè from the beach for the first time. Dulceida led TV3's broadcast while Oques Grasses shaped a Catalan-led soundtrack for the 30-minute coastal finale.
La bola negra breaks records with San Sebastián audience award
Just one day after its cinema debut, La bola negra by Los Javis clinched the San Sebastián Audience Award with an unprecedented score. The film’s explosive start signals a new chapter for Spanish cinema and cements the directors’ reputation for bold storytelling.
La bola negra wins the San Sebastián audience prize
La bola negra has won the public prize in the Perlak section at the San Sebastián festival. Mike Leigh took the Concha de Oro, while Javier Cámara received the Concha de Plata for best supporting performance.
Mike Leigh takes San Sebastián top prize for his final film
Mike Leigh's Tender Loving Care has won the Golden Shell at San Sebastián. The film also received awards for its screenplay and lead performance, while José Luis Rebordinos received a final ovation.
Bilbao amateur stuns poker elite at WPO Aix-les-Bains
A 10 euro online satellite ticket propelled Israel García from Bilbao into the spotlight at the WPO Aix-les-Bains, where he outlasted Spain’s top poker professionals and nearly reached the final table. His unexpected journey has captivated the Spanish poker community.
La bola negra wins San Sebastián public prize
La bola negra has won San Sebastián's top audience prize in Perlak. The Javis' film scored 9.4 from viewers and secured a €50,000 award for its distributor.
Cosmopoética opens in Córdoba under the shadow of its director’s sudden death
Córdoba’s Cosmopoética festival began in shock after director Pablo Téllez de la Poza died in a motorcycle crash just hours before opening night. The loss has shaken the city’s cultural scene.
Cosmopoética Festival Faces Tragedy as Director Dies in Madrid Crash
Just hours before the opening of Cosmopoética 2026, Pablo Téllez de la Poza, director of Verbo Servicios Culturales, lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Madrid. The festival will proceed as planned, but the loss casts a shadow over the event.
Brad Pitt turns San Sebastián red carpet into a two-hour fan event
Brad Pitt stayed nearly two hours at San Sebastián's Kursaal, signing autographs and meeting fans beside Inés de Ramón. One quiet "hola" became the night's loudest moment.
Nou Barris fills La Mercè week with concerts and local culture
Nou Barris is turning La Mercè into a full local programme. Concerts lead the week, while Tasta Nou Barris brings five district establishments together and La Titellada adds puppetry from Tuesday.
Motors, food, and Italian flair take over Seville’s Casino de la Exposición
From October 2 to 4, Seville’s Casino de la Exposición will turn into a slice of Italy. The X Feria de Italia brings food, music, art, fashion, and classic cars for a packed tenth anniversary program.
Brad Pitt chooses San Sebastián's 120-euro brunch
Brad Pitt chose the Hotel María Cristina during San Sebastián's film festival. Its premium brunch costs 120 euros per person and includes live music, premium drinks and Belle Époque surroundings.
La bola negra brings Lorca's unfinished work to the screen
La bola negra reaches Spanish cinemas on 25 September. Los Javis connect Lorca with queer identity and a family's buried memory across three timelines.
El mal padre pone a Atresmedia Cine ante su gran prueba familiar
Atresmedia Cine presenta El mal padre en San Sebastián. Eduard Fernández interpreta a un padre que se enfrenta a sus hijos durante un reencuentro lleno de reproches y heridas familiares.
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