St James the Apostol
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Tuesday july 25, 2023
Catholic : One of three witnesses of the Transfiguration of Christ in Mt. Tabor, but also a witness to Jesus' agony.
Regional holiday
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Monday july 31, 2023
Catholic : St Ignatius Loyala - Founder of the society of Jesus. Patron saint of retreats and retreatants Bilbao and San Sebastián only
Regional holiday
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Saturday august 5, 2023
Secular holiday : Virgin Blanca in Vitoria only
Assumption
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Tuesday august 15, 2023
Catholic :
Summer holiday (end)
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Thursday september 7, 2023
School holidays :
San Sebastian Film Festival
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Friday september 22, 2023
Culture : Lasts 10 days
www.sansebastianfestival.com in San Sebastian 2023 edition confirmed
Virgin of the Pillar
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Thursday october 12, 2023
Secular holiday :
All Saints - (beginning)
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Friday october 27, 2023
School holidays :
All Saints' Day
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Wednesday november 1, 2023
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)
All Saints - (end)
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Thursday november 2, 2023
School holidays :
Festival Internacional de Cine Documental y Cortometraje de Bilbao
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Friday november 10, 2023
Culture : Http://zinebi.eus/web/ 2023 edition confirmed
San Sebastian Marathon
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Sunday november 26, 2023
Sports events : Https://www.zurichmaratondonostia.com 2023 edition confirmed
Mid-term holiday (beginning)
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Tuesday december 5, 2023
School holidays :
Constitution Day
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Wednesday december 6, 2023
Secular holiday : Commemorates the 1978 referendum when the Spanish people voted to approve the constitution.
Immaculate Conception
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Friday december 8, 2023
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
Mid-term holiday (end)
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Monday december 11, 2023
School holidays :
Christmas holiday (beginning)
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Friday december 22, 2023
School holidays :
Christmas Day
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Monday december 25, 2023
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 Years Day on Christmas Day.