Spain (Basque Country) : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

School holidays :

Catholic : One of three witnesses of the Transfiguration of Christ in Mt. Tabor, but also a witness to Jesus' agony.

Catholic : St Ignatius Loyala - Founder of the society of Jesus. Patron saint of retreats and retreatants Bilbao and San Sebastián only

Secular holiday : Virgin Blanca in Vitoria only

Catholic :

Secular holiday : Juan Sebastián Elcano (sometimes misspelled del Cano; 1486/1487 – 4 August 1526) was a Basque explorer who completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth. After Ferdinand Magellan's death in the Philippines, Elcano took command of the carrack Victoria from the Moluccas to Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain. Even though Magellan did not survive the trip, he has received more recognition for the expedition than has Elcano, for three reasons. First, Magellan was the one who started the voyage; second, Portugal wanted to recognize a Portuguese explorer; and third, Spain wanted to avoid encouraging Basque nationalism [Wikipedia]

School holidays :

Culture : Lasts 10 days www.sansebastianfestival.com in San Sebastian 2022 season confirmed

Secular holiday :

School holidays :

Catholic : The day now honors all saints of the church, even those not known by name. The first All Saints' Day occurred on May 13, 609 (C.E.) when Pope Boniface IV accepted the Pantheon as a gift from the Emperor Phocas. Boniface dedicated it as the Church of Santa Maria Rotonda in honor of the Blessed Virgin and all martyrs. During Pope Gregory III's reign (731-741), the festival was expanded to include all saints and a chapel in St. Peter's church was dedicated accordingly. Pope Gregory IV officially designated the day in 837. (World Book Encyclopedia)

School holidays :

Culture : Http://zinebi.eus/web/ 2022 edition confirmed

Sports events : Https://www.zurichmaratondonostia.com 2022 edition confirmed

Secular holiday : Commemorates the 1978 referendum when the Spanish people voted to approve the constitution.

Catholic : Dogma that Mary was from the first moment of conception, totally free from the stain of original sin. Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

School holidays :

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.