Several bank holidays, a puente, Christmas markets, new flights routes and tax deadlines, here’s what to expect from life in Spain in December 2025.
Bank holidays
December will see several public holidays in Spain. They will begin with Saturday December 6th, which is Constitution Day. Although it will not affect many who work Monday to Friday, it will be a non-working day for those who usually work on Saturdays. This also means the majority of big supermarkets and many other big stores will be closed that day.
The next holiday is Monday December 8th – Immaculate conception Day, which is a national holiday in all regions.
Later on in December,both christmas Day and Boxing Day or Saint Stephen’s Day,known in Spanish as St. Stephen’s Day are public holidays. Christmas falls on Thursday the 25th this year and San Esteban on Friday the 26th.
businesses, schools, supermarkets and other shops will usually be closed both these days.
December bridge
The December puente or bridge day is December 7th,between the two holidays of the 6th and 8th.Even though the 7th isn’t a public holiday, many people take it off to enjoy a longer break and getaway to another city. Many people may also be taking Friday December 5th off this year to enjoy a four-day weekend.
This means that those days are likely to be very busy in Spain’s biggest cities. In 2023 in Barcelona police were deployed to prevent people from clogging up traffic by taking selfies in the middle of the road, while Madrid broke a new record for visitors in December 2024.
Christmas markets
Many Christmas markets will be opening up this month, making cities in Spain even more festive. Some of the best and biggest starting in december include the Mercadillo Navideño in Málaga on December 1st, the Mercado de Navidad de Bilbao starting on the 5th, the Mercado de Bib-Rambla in Granada on the 1st and the Mercado de Navidad de la Ciutat de les Arts in Valencia on the 13th.
Markets in other major Spanish cities opened at the end of November.
READ ALSO: The best Christmas markets in Spain in 2025
Festivals
Besides Christmas, there are several other festivals being held across Spain throughout this month. In Mallorca on December 24th, the Song of the Sibyl songs are performed in all the churches on the island, while December 28th is El April Fool’s Day (Day of the holy Innocents), which is similar to April fool’s when people are encouraged to play pranks and tell jokes.
The Carnival of Alcázar de San Juan or Carnavalcázar will also take place.
Spain News Update: December Forecast, New Flights & Regional Elections
Here’s a roundup of recent news from Spain, covering the upcoming weather forecast, new flight routes, and regional elections:
Weather Forecast: A Tale of Two Halves for December
Spain is bracing for a varied December weather pattern. According to meteorologist Jorge Rey, the first half of the month will be characterized by a stable anticyclone bringing generally pleasant temperatures alongside fog and potential frost, especially in the north of the contry. https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/news/spains-christmas-weather-forecast-revealed-snow-could-fall-at-very-low-levels/
However, a shift is expected around December 18th or 19th, with the arrival of some storms that will cause a slight temperature increase. The most important change is predicted to occur around December 22nd or 23rd. Rey forecasts the arrival of continental winds and a low-pressure system drawing in cold air from Siberia. This could bring rain to northern areas and the possibility of snow at unusually low elevations across the country. https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/news/spains-christmas-weather-forecast-revealed-snow-could-fall-at-very-low-levels/
New Flight Routes to Connect spain with the World
December will see the launch of several new flight routes, expanding travel options to and from Spain:
* China Southern Airlines: A new direct route between Guangzhou, China, and madrid will begin on December 2nd. https://www.aerotime.aero/26981-china-southern-airlines-launches-madrid-route
* iberia: Iberia will commence flights between Madrid and Recife, Brazil, starting December 13th, operating three times per week. https://www.iberia.com/es/en/news/new-route-madrid-recife/
* Wizz Air: A new connection between Alicante and Bratislava, Slovakia, will be established on December 15th, also with three weekly flights. https://wizzair.com/en-gb/news/wizz-air-adds-alicante-to-bratislava-route
Extremadura Heads to the Polls
The region of Extremadura will hold early regional elections on December 21st, a year and five months ahead of schedule. The decision to call early elections was prompted by a budget impasse. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-extremadura-region-hold-early-elections-dec-21-2023-11-28/
This marks the first time as 1983 that Extremadura’s elections have been brought forward. Historically, the region has been governed primarily by the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), with the exception of two terms under the People’s Party (PP) led by José Antonio Monago (2011-2015) and the current regional president, María Guardiola. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-extremadura-region-hold-early-elections-dec-21-2023-11-28/