A comprehensive overview of Spanish holidays, including common vocabulary, cultural significance, and examples across Spain and Latin America.
Holidays are an essential part of any culture, and Spanish-speaking countries have a rich tapestry of celebrations that reflect their history, religion, and traditions. This article covers the most important holidays in Spain and Latin America, along with the key vocabulary to help you talk about them confidently.
Common Holiday Vocabulary
Understanding basic holiday vocabulary will help you describe celebrations, talk about plans, and recognize important cultural references.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la fiesta | las fiestas | party/celebration | parties/celebrations | Mañana hay una fiesta en casa de Ana. | Tomorrow there is a party at Ana’s house. |
| el día festivo | los días festivos | holiday | holidays | El 25 de diciembre es un día festivo. | December 25th is a holiday. |
| la tradición | las tradiciones | tradition | traditions | En mi familia, tenemos muchas tradiciones navideñas. | In my family, we have many Christmas traditions. |
| el desfile | los desfiles | parade | parades | El desfile de Carnaval es muy colorido. | The Carnival parade is very colorful. |
| el regalo | los regalos | gift/present | gifts/presents | Recibí muchos regalos en mi cumpleaños. | I received many gifts on my birthday. |
| la comida | las comidas | food/meal | foods/meals | Siempre hay mucha comida en las fiestas. | There’s always a lot of food at parties. |
| el invitado | los invitados | guest | guests | Los invitados llegaron temprano. | The guests arrived early. |
| la música | — | music | — | La música en la fiesta era muy alegre. | The music at the party was very lively. |
| el baile | los bailes | dance | dances | En la fiesta hubo un baile típico. | At the party, there was a traditional dance. |
| la celebración | las celebraciones | celebration | celebrations | La celebración duró toda la noche. | The celebration lasted all night. |
La ___ duró toda la noche.
How do you say 'celebration' in Spanish?
celebración
'Celebración' means 'celebration.' 'Invitado' is 'guest,' 'tradición' is 'tradition,' and 'baile' is 'dance.'
Major Holidays in Spain
Spain has a rich calendar of holidays, many of which are deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and regional customs.
| Holiday | Date | Description | Example Sentence (Spanish) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Año Nuevo (New Year’s Day) | January | Celebrates the beginning of the new year with family gatherings and fireworks. | Celebramos Año Nuevo con una cena especial. | We celebrate New Year’s Eve with a special dinner. |
| Día de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany) | January | Marks the arrival of the Three Wise Men; children receive gifts. | Los niños esperan regalos de los Reyes Magos. | Children await gifts from the Three Wise Men. |
| Semana Santa (Holy Week) | March/April | A week of religious processions leading up to Easter. | Las procesiones de Semana Santa son impresionantes. | The Holy Week processions are impressive. |
| Fiesta Nacional de España | October | Spain’s national day; commemorates Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. | Hay desfiles y eventos en toda España por el 12 de octubre. | There are parades and events across Spain on October 12th. |
| Navidad (Christmas) | December | Celebrated with family dinners, midnight Mass, and gift-giving. | En Navidad, reunimos a la familia y compartimos regalos. | At Christmas, we gather the family and exchange gifts. |
Major Holidays in Latin America
Latin American countries have their own unique holidays, many influenced by indigenous cultures and Catholicism, with some variations by country.
| Holiday | Date | Description | Example Sentence (Spanish) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) | November 1- | A Mexican tradition honoring deceased loved ones with altars and offerings. | En Día de los Muertos, hacemos altares para nuestros abuelos. | On Day of the Dead, we make altars for our grandparents. |
| Carnaval | February/March | A festive season with parades, costumes, and dancing before Lent. | El Carnaval de Río es famoso en todo el mundo. | The Rio Carnival is famous worldwide. |
| de Septiembre (Independence Day in many countries) | September 15 (varies) | Marks the independence of Central American countries from Spain. | En Honduras, el 15 de septiembre es día de independencia. | In Honduras, September 15th is Independence Day. |
| Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) | June | An Incan festival celebrated in Peru to honor the sun god. | En Cusco, miles participan en el Inti Raymi. | In Cusco, thousands participate in Inti Raymi. |
| Navidad (Christmas) | December | Similar to Spain, celebrated with family, food, and religious ceremonies. | La Navidad en México incluye la tradición de las posadas. | Christmas in Mexico includes the tradition of Las Posadas. |
How to Talk About Holidays
Here are some common Spanish phrases to help you describe holidays, ask about traditions, and share your own experiences.
| Spanish Phrase | English Translation | Example Sentence (Spanish → English) |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Cómo celebras…? | How do you celebrate…? | ¿Cómo celebras la Navidad? → How do you celebrate Christmas? |
| En mi país… | In my country… | En mi país, hay una gran fiesta el 15 de septiembre. → In my country, there is a big celebration on September 15th. |
| Es tradición… | It is a tradition… | Es tradición comer pavo en Navidad. → It is a tradition to eat turkey at Christmas. |
| Me gusta… | I like… | Me gusta participar en los desfiles de Carnaval. → I like to take part in the Carnival parades. |
| Siempre / Nunca / A veces… | I always / never / sometimes… | Siempre vamos a la misa de medianoche en Nochebuena. → We always go to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. |
How do you ask 'How do you celebrate ...?' in Spanish?
¿Cómo celebras…?
'¿Cómo celebras…?' means 'How do you celebrate…?'. The other options ask 'Where,' 'When,' and 'Who' celebrates.
Conclusion
Holidays are a wonderful way to connect with Spanish-speaking cultures, whether you’re traveling, making conversation, or simply expanding your vocabulary. From religious observances to national celebrations and colorful festivals, each holiday offers a unique glimpse into the traditions that bring communities together across Spain and Latin America.
Flashcards (1 of 25)
- English Singular: party/celebration
- English Plural: parties/celebrations
- English Example: Tomorrow there is a party at Ana’s house.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
