Public holidays in Malaga in 2023 and 2024
If you travel to Spain a lot you’ll have noticed that this is a country that loves a holiday and Malaga is no exception. In this blog post we list the public holidays in Malaga for the remainder of 2023 and the whole of 2023, all 14 of them! Note all but two local holidays (19 August and 8 September) are also public holidays in Andalucia 2024.
What’s open on public holidays in Malaga?
Before our list of dates of public holidays in Malaga for part of 2021 and the whole of 2022, some information on what to expect open on a public holiday. As a general rule, the following are closed:
- Banks
- Government (regional and national) offices
- Malaga council offices
- Schools and universities
- Shops (except on permitted days – see specific dates below).
As a general rule, the following are open:
- Bars and restaurants (with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
- Public transport (Sunday timetables usually operate)
- Museums and monuments (with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
Also note that if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday after becomes the public holiday.
Public holidays in Malaga in 2023
October
Thursday 12 October – Spanish National Day. Bars, restaurants and shops are open.
November
Wednesday 1 November – All Saints Day, when Spanish people traditionally visit cemeteries and honour their dead. Shops, bars and restaurants open as usual.
December
Wednesday 6 December – Spanish Constitution Day. Shops and businesses close, but bars and restaurants open as usual. .
Friday 8 December – Immaculate Conception Day. Bars, restaurants and shops open.
Monday 25 December – Christmas Day, shops and the vast majority of restaurants will be closed. Find out more about Christmas in Malaga.
Sunday shopping – shops and markets open on Sunday 3, Sunday 10, Sunday 17 and until 3pm on 24 December to give you extra time for your Christmas shopping!
Public holidays in Malaga in 2024
January
Monday 1 January – New Year’s Day is a public holiday. Shops, businesses, monuments and museums in Malaga do not open on New Year’s Day. Some bars and restaurants may be open.
Saturday 6 January – Three Kings (Epiphany). Shops won’t open but they do open on Sunday 7 January, at the start of the sales and a great time to pick up some bargains when you’re shopping in Malaga.
February
Wednesday 28 February – Andalusian Regional Day, when the region of Andalusia celebrates its autonomical status. Most shops will be closed, but bars and restaurants open.
Read our month-by-month guide to events in Malaga
February has an extra day in 2024, a leap year.
March
Easter is early in 2024, with two public holidays in Malaga.
Thursday 28 March – Maundy Thursday, when shops, bars and restaurants open as usual.
Friday 29 March – Good Friday, when most shops will be closed, but many bars and restaurants open.
Easter is one of the most colourful times of year in Malaga, but also one of the busiest.
May
Tuesday 2 May – Labour Day. Shops are closed.
Did you know?
In Spain when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday those people who can take the Monday or Friday off as well. This is known as a ‘puente’ (bridge).
August
Thursday 15 August – Ascension Day and a holiday throughout Spain as well as Malaga. Bars, restaurants and shops are open.
Monday 19 August – the first of the two local holidays in Malaga and the high point of Malaga Fair. Shops and business close.
Sunday shopping – many shops open in August.
September
Saturday 8 September – a local holiday (in Malaga only) celebrating the city’s patron saint, the Virgin of the Victory. Bars and restaurants open, but many small shops close.
Looking for a great place to eat? Check our list of tried and trusted restaurants.
October
Saturday 12 October – Spanish National Day. Bars, restaurants and shops are open.
Wondering what’s on each month in Malaga? Read our monthly round-up of events
November
Friday 1 November – All Saints Day, when Spanish people traditionally visit cemeteries and honour their dead. Shops, bars and restaurants open as usual.
December
Friday 6 December – Spanish Constitution Day. Businesses and banks close, but many shops and most bars and restaurants open as usual.
Sunday 8 December – Immaculate Conception Day. Note that in 2024, Monday 9 December is a public holiday in Spain because the 8th is a Sunday. Businesses will be closed, but shops, bars and restaurants will open.
Wednesday 25 December – Christmas Day, shops and the majority of restaurants will be closed.
Find out more about Christmas in Malaga
Sunday Christmas shopping – shops will be open on Sunday 15, 22 and 29 December, so you can do your Christmas shopping.
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