Seasons and traditions

It is for anyone thinking about moving to Spain, planning the move or already living there. These traditions shape when shops and offices close, when families travel and what people expect of you socially, so they are worth knowing before you settle in.

Start with "The Spanish year month by month". It gives you the whole calendar in one place, so you can see which seasons matter most to you. From there, go to the article for the season you are about to face.

Key rules

• Lottery draw: The Christmas lottery is drawn on 22 December, and prizes can be claimed within a three-month period after the draw.
• Minimum age: You must be 18 to buy state lottery tickets, bet online or enter casinos and bingo halls.
• August: August is the main slow period, so do bank, notary, immigration and tradesperson tasks in July or September.
• National holidays: National dates include Christmas, Reyes, Semana Santa, 1 May, 15 August, 12 October, 1 and 6 and 8 December.
• Working days: 24 December and 31 December are normal working days, so ask your employer and your children's school about shortened days.
• Regional holiday: 26 December is a holiday only in some regions, so check your local calendar.

Seasons and traditions: the whole process, step by step

• Plan around Carnival and the regional day in your community (see Regional days): Early in the year, when your regional calendar is published; regional days fall on set dates such as 28 February in Andalucía or 2 May in Madrid

• Book trains, flights and hotels for Holy Week (see Holy Week): 2 to 4 months before Holy Week, especially for procession cities; Good Friday is a national holiday and Holy Thursday is a holiday in most regions

• Expect closures and heavy traffic in Holy Week: Thursday to Easter Monday; Easter Monday is a holiday only in some regions

• Prepare for the summer slowdown and August closures (see Summer in Spain): Before August; many small businesses close for one to four weeks and 15 August is a national holiday

• Finish bank, notary, immigration and tradesperson errands: Before August, as responses are slower during the month

• Plan for 12 October, 1 November and the early December holidays (see Carnival, All Saints and other dates): 12 October is a national holiday; 1 November is a national holiday, and many people take a long weekend if it falls on a Tuesday or Thursday; 6 December is a national holiday and 8 December is a holiday in most regions

• Buy Christmas lottery tickets from official outlets (see The Christmas lottery): Before the draw on 22 December; prizes can be claimed within a three-month period after the draw

• Enjoy Christmas, New Year and Three Kings (see Christmas and Three Kings): 25 December, 1 January and 6 January are national holidays, while 24 December and 31 December are normal working days; 26 December is a holiday only in some regions

Documents you may need

• Your photo ID — The Christmas lottery (Lotería de Navidad), ONCE and betting explained

• The winning ticket — The Christmas lottery (Lotería de Navidad), ONCE and betting explained

Seasons and traditions: questions that cross several articles

Which holidays are the same across all of Spain and which change by region?

National holidays include Good Friday, 15 August, 12 October, 1 November, 6 December, 25 December, 1 January and 6 January, while Holy Thursday, Easter Monday, 26 December and regional days vary by community. Your community publishes its own calendar each year, and your town adds up to two local holidays. Read The Spanish year month by month for the overview and Regional days for local dates.

Should I run official errands in August or around Holy Week?

No, try to avoid both periods for banks, notaries, immigration offices and tradespeople, as they are slower or closed. In August many small businesses close for one to four weeks, and in Holy Week banks and public offices close on Thursday and Friday. See Summer in Spain and Holy Week for how to plan.

Is 8 December a day off everywhere?

No, 8 December is a holiday in most regions but not all, while 6 December and 12 October are holidays everywhere. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, some regions move it to Monday and others do not. Read Carnival, All Saints and other dates newcomers miss for the autumn dates.

Do the Christmas holidays run from 24 December to 6 January?

Not as holidays: 25 December, 1 January and 6 January are national holidays, while 24 December and 31 December are normal working days, though some employers give shorter hours. 26 December is a holiday in places such as Catalonia. Read How Spain celebrates Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year and Three Kings for the traditions.