National Day of Spain (Fiesta Nacional)
Confirmed edition
Photo: Marcelo Kunze / Unsplash
About
Spain's national day on 12 October — also the Fiesta del Pilar — marks the 1492 arrival of Columbus in the Americas. It is a national holiday, headlined by a large armed-forces parade in Madrid.
Highlights
- National holiday on 12 October
- Falls on a Monday in 2026, creating a long weekend
- Major military parade broadcast from Madrid
Practical tips
- The Monday long weekend makes for busy trains and hotels — book early.
- Shops and offices close; monuments mostly stay open.
- A pleasant time of year to visit Seville as the heat eases.
Checked against
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