Your guide for August 15 National Bank Holiday in Spain; activities, working hours and origins

Europe´s leader in national holidays, Spain is rich in unique celebrations, many of which are based on long-standing religious values.

While Patron Saint festivities differ across each town, each year, the entire country unites to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin on August 15. 

The Assumption of the Virgin is one of the oldest Catholic festivities, as Pope Sergius I officially established the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, 682. To this day, millions of families get together to show their devotion to the Virgin Mary and celebrate the joy of life. 

In the modern world, August 15 also marks a turning point for workers between the beginning of the holidays and returning to work; a day spent in reflection and gratitude. Despite being a National Bank Holiday, Spain doesn´t come to a standstill; instead, the day offers a golden opportunity for local businesses to grow, for the locals to embrace traditions, and for the visitors to learn about the beauty of Spain. 

Activities on the August 15 holiday

Beyond its religious context, the celebration of the Virgin Mary has a significant impact on Spain´s tourism, as the festivity takes place amid summer´s peak season. Today, it is a celebration that invites visitors to join and learn about the local culture, becoming the perfect day to visit sites like Barcelona´s Sagrada Familia, Compostela´s Cathedral of Santiago, or the Basilica of Montserrat. 

In smaller towns, local churches are guaranteed to host a large celebration, with special masses and processions, carrying stunning statues of the Virgin Mary adorned with flowers across the streets. The processions are attended by people of all ages and backgrounds and are highlighted by singing and praying.

Many families get together to craft flower bouquets or crowns for the Virgin Mary and spend their evenings attending local fairs and concerts, which are bound to be lit up with fireworks and traditional dances. Spain´s cuisine also plays a part in the celebration, with the special holiday treats, Roscon de la Virgen, shared amongst the crowds; these are sweet pastries flavoured with lemon or orange, topped with sugar glaze.

Working hours of stores, pharmacies, and doctors on the August 15 holiday

To find out whether your local pharmacies are open on August 15, check your city or town at farmaceuticos.com. All veterinaries and hospitals remain open as usual. Shopping centres such as La Marina will remain open but individual stores in town centres may be closed.

The largest supermarket chain, Mercadona, has differing working hours in every region of Spain. While in Madrid and Valencia, it will be closed, Mercadona will be open full-day hours or from 9am until 3pm in some regions of Spain. You can check your local Mercadona stores at info.mercadona.es. 

Lidl will be open but in most places, with limited hours, until 3pm. You can check your local Lidl store at Lidl.es. Carrefour will remain open in all parts of Spain, with its regular working hours from 8.30am until 11pm. Aldi stores can be checked at aldi.es, as in some areas the stores will be closed, while in hours will be open with reduced hours from 9am until 3pm. 

Road changes on the August 15 holiday

The Spanish Traffic Department announced their launch of a special operation on August 15, expecting more than 8 million vehicles on the Spanish roads. To check maps with updated road changes, visit

https://infocar.dgt.es/etraffic/