What Holidays do Spanish Speaking Countries Celebrate?

When it comes to holiday celebrations, there are many differences between countries around the world. Spanish-speaking countries are no exception, with their unique cultural traditions and festivities. From religious holidays to cultural celebrations, here are some of the most popular holidays celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries:

Christmas

Christmas is a big holiday celebration in most Spanish-speaking countries. However, there are some differences between the countries in terms of their traditions. In some countries like Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from December 12th to January 6th, with the most important days being December 24th, Christmas Eve, and December 25th, Christmas day. In other areas such as Spain, Christmas Day is not as widely celebrated, and instead, people focus more on celebrating Epiphany on January 6th.

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries. This celebration honors deceased relatives and ancestors with the building of altars and the placement of their favorite food and pictures on them. People also visit graveyards to clean them up and place flowers on them. The Day of the Dead is considered a festive and happy occasion, and it is believed that the souls of the departed return to their families and friends.

Easter

In many Spanish-speaking countries, Easter is a big celebration that is closely linked with the religious holiday of Lent. This season of sacrifice and self-reflection culminates on Easter Sunday, which is often celebrated with large feasts and parades. In Spain, there are various unique Easter events such as the Easter processions, which involve people carrying large religious statues.

Independence Day

Many Spanish-speaking countries celebrate their independence day, which marks the country’s independence from Spanish colonial rule. In Mexico, Independence Day is celebrated on the night of September 15th, with a ceremony called “El Grito de Dolores,” which celebrates the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence. In other countries, the Independence Day celebration is a bit more low-key.

Carnival

Carnival is a huge celebration in many Spanish-speaking countries, but the way it is celebrated varies from country to country. For instance, in Brazil, Carnival is a massive event that includes colorful parades, music, and dancing in the streets, sometimes lasting for days. In other countries like Bolivia, Carnival involves dressing up in elaborate costumes and performing dances.

La Tomatina

La Tomatina is a Spanish festival that takes place in the town of Buñol, which involves the massive tomato fight in the streets. The festival takes place on the last Wednesday of August, and thousands of participants from all over the world come to take part in this wild event.

In conclusion, Spanish-speaking countries have a rich history of holidays that are unique to their particular cultures. Whether it’s Dia de los Muertos in Mexico or La Tomatina in Spain, these celebrations offer Spaniards and tourists alike an opportunity to celebrate their heritage and learn more about the people they live alongside.