New Year's Day
Nationwide public holiday in Spain · Año Nuevo
Dates
| Year | Date | Weekday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 January | Thursday | Nationwide |
| 2027 | 1 January | Friday | Nationwide |
Where it applies
Everywhere in Spain.
Is it a day off?
Yes. It is an official public holiday, so most employees have the day off. Government offices, schools and many businesses are usually closed; shops, restaurants and public transport may keep reduced hours. Check local announcements for opening times.
Make it longer
Fri 1 Jan – Sun 3 Jan is a 3-day weekend with no leave needed.
Plan more breaks with the leave planner.
Typical weather in Madrid around 1 January: high 11°C (52°F), low 1°C (33°F), rain on 16% of days.
Averages for 2015–2024, 3 days either side of the date, for the area around Madrid. Past averages, not a forecast.
Forecast for Friday 1 January in Madrid: (MET Norway)
About New Year's Day
New Year's Day opens the calendar year in Spain as it does elsewhere. What sets the Spanish celebration apart is the way the year is seen in during the final minutes of 31 December, a custom followed in homes and town squares across the country and broadcast live on national television.
Traditions
At midnight, people eat twelve grapes, one with each chime of the clock, for luck in the twelve months ahead. The best-known gathering is in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, where crowds follow the chimes of the clock tower. New Year's Day itself is usually spent resting and sharing a family meal.
Editorial summary by Public Holidays World. Dates on this page come from the data source; customs vary by region and family.
Coming up next in Spain
Wednesday, 6 January 2027
New Year's Day in other countries
Åland Islands
Albania
Andorra
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
More for Spain
Holiday dates are for general information and can change. Official government announcements take precedence.