La Mata Information

Fiestas in La Mata and holidays in La Mata
Fiestas are official holidays, which are often at the same time as religious based festivals, and they can last for many days. Spain celebrates fiestas for patron saints (local Saints) and the Virgin Mary, as well as festivals for regional communities.

Not all fiestas are celebrated with a carnival type parade, but most of them include, for example - religious processions, street parades, bullfights or flamenco dancing etc. These fiestas and colourful parades are very typical of Spain, and the majority of them are worth a look.

It's worth bearing in mind that on most local fiestas everything will probably be shut for the day!  Nevertheless, if you need to shop for something urgently you may wish to travel to a nearby town, where this particular festival possibly isn't being celebrated!

An example of what to expect at the fiestas in La Mata, can be seen, on the page from link below :

Fiestas in La Mata

The details of the fiestas in La Mata for the current year are directly below, but to get to next years, just click on the link below :

Local holidays and fiestas in La Mata, plus details of national holidays and fiestas in La Mata, next year

2010

National Fiestas
Below is a list of the Spanish National Fiestas for 2010 and 2011, including the English version and/or the UK equal. Unlike the UK, where it has become usual to open businesses etc on a bank holiday, in Spain a National Fiesta is time for the whole nation to take time out to celebrate, even the majority of cafes and bars are closed for the day. It makes no difference if the fiesta falls in the middle of the week (which is more often then not). If fiestas fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays, or when 2 fiestas are celebrated in the same week separated by one day, some businesses decide to take an extra day i.e. the Monday or Friday or the middle day to link them together - this is called a bridge day or in Spanish a 'puente'.

January 1st 2010
New Years Day
As in the UK, this is a day of recovery and planning for the year ahead.

January 5th 2010
Reyes Magos (Procession of the 3 Wise Men)
Epiphany (Epifania del señor), which is celebrated on the night of the 5th of January and during the 6th of January, and is also known as Reyes Magos (the 3 wise men or 3 Kings), is time when Spanish traditionally exchange presents. This is in celebration of the presents given to the baby Jesus by the Three Kings - Melchior, Casper and Balthazar. Traditionally Spanish children polish their shoes well and leave them outside the front door on the night of the 5th of January to show the Three Wise Men that they have been good, and then the Wise Men will leave them presents (in a similar way to Father Christmas leaving gifts under the Christmas tree). In the morning the presents are waiting for all of the good boys and girls.

January 6th 2010
Día de los Reyes
The 6th of January is a national Fiesta and is referred to, by the British, as 'the Spanish Christmas day'.

March 19th 2010
Fathers day / Día del padre
On the 19th of March it’s Día del padre (Father’s day in Spain).This is a national fiesta and, unlike the UK where the actual date for Fathers Day changes each year, in Spain it’s always celebrated on the 19th of March. The saint of fathers is San José (Saint Joseph), and so all of the Josés in Spain also regard it as ‘their saint’s day’. The day is traditionally a day to spend with your father and so the whole country has a day off.

April 1st to 5th 2010
Easter / Semana Santa
During the Easter period there are some religious parades to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent resurrection. Mass is held in the church on the main square in La Mata.

April 5th 2010
Easter Monday / Lunes Santo
Although the 5th of April isn't a national fiesta, La Mata also takes this date as a local holiday.

May 1st 2010
Labour day / Fiesta del Trabajo
A day off work is the perfect way to commemorate the day of ‘workers’. It is a national holiday so everything shuts for the day.

May 2nd 2010
Mothers day / Día del Madre
Día del Madre is always remembered on the first Sunday in May, and so the date changes each year. In 2010, Mother’s day in Spain is celebrated on the 2nd of May.

July 16th 2010
Festival of the Virgin Carmen (Patron Saint)/ Virgen del Carmen
Mass is held in the church on the main square to commemorate the day of the Virgen del Carmen. As this is a local fiesta in La Mata, some business's in La Mata will close for the day.

August 15th 2010
Asunción de la Virgen
Holy mass, in the church on the main square in La Mata town centre, commemorates this national fiesta.

October 7th 2010
Fiestas of la Virgen del Rosario
In October, there are celebrations for the fiesta of la Virgen del Rosario in La Mata. Rosario is one of the local saints of La Mata and so it’s a special time for the town. The celebrations include a bicycle race, a paella contest (held in the Plaza del Encarnación Puchol), a street parade, a night festival (held in the Plaza del Encarnación Puchol), Holy Mass and then a procession and fireworks after mass.

October 9th 2010
Day of the Valencia region / Día de la Comunidad Valenciana
Each area in Spain has a special day to celebrate the identity of their region, and so the Día de la Comunidad Valenciana is the community of Valencia’s turn. And what better way to celebrate then to have a day off!

October 12th 2010
Spain day / Día Nacional de España
This is a special day for the Spanish as they remember and celebrate their nationality. It's a national holiday in Spain and warrants a day off work.

October 31st 2010
Halloween
Halloween is not a Spanish fiesta as such, and it is celebrated in a more ‘low key’ way than the UK. You will, however, find that the British bars and restaurants make the most of the event and often there are fancy dress competitions at some of the bars in La Mata. 'Trick or treat' has caught on with the Spanish children, but is more an occasion to collect a bag full of sweets as the children stand at the door shouting “caramelos caramelos” (meaning sweets, sweets).

November 1st 2010
All Saints day
In Spain, it is traditionally a day to think about your family past and present. It’s a day when you should lay flowers at the grave of your relatives to show that they are remembered and then to celebrate the memories with a big family meal. This is also a national holiday and is celebrated with a day off.

December 6th 2010
Spanish Constitution day / Día de la Constitución España
The 6th of December 1978 is the day that the draft of the national constitution was accepted, in a national referendum, by the Spanish public.
This marked the beginning of a new and democratic turn in history for Spain. Although, at the time, in general, the occasion only involved the people who were in top ministerial positions, it is now remembered with pride by the majority of the nation. This defiantly justifies a national day of celebration and of course a day off!

December 8th 2010
Inmaculada Concepción
Holy mass, in the church on the main square in La Mata town centre commemorates this national fiesta. As it is a national fiesta everything is closed.

The Belen
A Spanish Christmas is celebrated in a slightly different way to that of the Brits, so it may be useful to know a little more. The majority of towns and pueblos (villages) have beautiful street lights, and in the town square (plaza) there is often a 'Belen' (meaning Bethlehem), which is an elaborate model village that depicts the tale of Christmas and the birth of Jesus. It's a real must to see!

December 24th 2010
Christmas Eve / Noche Buena
On Christmas Eve (known as Nochebuena) it is the Spanish custom to ‘see in’ Christmas day with a family meal. The menu has many courses: parma ham (cured) and cheese, fresh seafood, meat (normally lamb) etc. and then to finish there would be sweet cakes (postres), coffee, chocolates, liqueurs, champagnes (cava) and cider (sidra) etc. Considering that they don't start eating till about 10.30 pm, they are still going strong when Christmas day arrives, and beyond into the small hours. Families usually give and receive small gifts at this meal.

December 25th 2010
Christmas Day/ Natividad del Señor (Birth of Christ)
Papa Noel (Father Christmas) still comes to Spain, even though this is not a true Spanish tradition.
The 25th of December is a national fiesta however it is the night of Christmas Eve (24th of December) when the Spanish actually celebrate.

December 26th 2010
Boxing Day
The British invented, and keep the tradition of, Boxing Day, but, in general, it is seen as just an ordinary working day in Spain. You may, however, find that some offices and services are still closed.

December 31st 2010
New Years Eve
On New Years Eve in La Mata, everyone heads to the Town Square (Plaza) where there is a great atmosphere as the church bells ring in another year. On New Years Eve, tradition in Spain is to eat a grape on every strike of midnight. The story goes that this will bring you good luck. Tins of seedless grapes can be bought from most large supermarkets in the days running up to New Year's Eve and this certainly makes it easier to eat so many grapes (as the fresh grapes almost always have seeds). Try it out if you get the chance, it's quite a challenge!!!

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2011

January 1st 2011
New Years Day
As in the UK this is a day of recovery and planning for the year ahead.

January 5th 2011
Reyes Magos (Procession of the 3 Wise Men)
Epiphany (Epifania del señor), which is celebrated on the night of the 5th of January and during the 6th of January, and is also known as Reyes Magos (the 3 wise men or 3 Kings), is time when Spanish traditionally exchange presents.

This is in celebration of the presents given to the baby Jesus by the Three Kings - Melchior, Casper and Balthazar. Traditionally Spanish children polish their shoes well and leave them outside the front door on the night of the 5th of January to show the Three Wise Men that they have been good, and then the Wise Men will leave them presents (in a similar way to Father Christmas leaving gifts under the Christmas tree). In the morning the presents are waiting for all of the good boys and girls.

January 6th 2011
Día de los Reyes
The 6th of January is a national Fiesta and is referred to, by the British, as 'the Spanish Christmas day'.

March 19th 2011
Fathers day / Día del padre
On the 19th of March it’s Día del padre (Father’s day in Spain). This is a national fiesta and, unlike the UK where the actual date for Fathers Day changes each year, in Spain it’s always celebrated on the 19th of March. The saint of fathers is San José (Saint Joseph), and so all of the Josés in Spain also regard it as ‘their saint’s day’. The day is traditionally a day to spend with your father and so the whole country has a day off.

April 21st to 25th 2011
Easter / Semana Santa
During the Easter period, there are some religious parades to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent resurrection. Mass is held in the church on the main square in La Mata.

April 25th 2011
Easter Monday / Lunes Santo
Although the 25th of April isn't a national fiesta, La Mata also takes this date as a local holiday.

May 1st 2011
Labour day / Fiesta del Trabajo
A day off work is the perfect way to commemorate the day of ‘workers’. It is a national holiday so everything shuts for the day.

May 1st 2011
Mothers day / Día del Madre
Día del Madre is always remembered on the first Sunday in May, and so the date changes each year. In 2011, Mother’s day in Spain is celebrated on the 1st of May.

July 16th 2011
Festival of the Virgin Carmen (Patron Saint) / Virgen del Carmen
Mass is held in the church on the main square to commemorate the day of the Virgen del Carmen. As this is a local fiesta in La Mata, some business's in La Mata will close for the day.

August 15th 2011
Asunción de la Virgen
Holy mass, in the church on the main square in La Mata town centre, commemorates this national fiesta.

October 7th 2011
Fiestas of la Virgen del Rosario
In October, there are celebrations for the fiesta of la Virgen del Rosario in La Mata. Rosario is one of the local saints of La Mata and so it’s a special time for the town. The celebrations include a bicycle race, a paella contest (held in the Plaza del Encarnación Puchol), a street parade, a night festival (held in the Plaza del Encarnación Puchol), Holy Mass and then a procession and fireworks after mass.

October 9th 2011
Day of the Valencia region / Día de la Comunidad Valenciana
Each area in Spain has a special day to celebrate the identity of their region, and so the Día de la Comunidad Valenciana is the community of Valencia’s turn. And what better way to celebrate then to have a day off!

October 12th 2011
Spain day / Día Nacional de España
This is a special day for the Spanish as they remember and celebrate their nationality. It's a national holiday in Spain and warrants a day off work.

October 31st 2011
Halloween
Halloween is not a Spanish fiesta as such, and it is celebrated in a more ‘low key’ way than the UK. You will, however, find that the British bars and restaurants make the most of the event and often there are fancy dress competitions at some of the bars in La Mata. 'Trick or treat' has caught on with the Spanish children, but is more an occasion to collect a bag full of sweets as the children stand at the door shouting “caramelos caramelos” (meaning sweets, sweets).

November 1st 2011
All Saints day
In Spain, it is traditionally a day to think about your family past and present. It’s a day when you should lay flowers at the grave of your relatives to show that they are remembered and then to celebrate the memories with a big family meal. This is also a national holiday and is celebrated with a day off.

December 6th 2011
Spanish Constitution day / Día de la Constitución España
The 6th of December 1978 is the day that the draft of the national constitution was accepted, in a national referendum, by the Spanish public.
This marked the beginning of a new and democratic turn in history for Spain. Although, at the time, in general, the occasion only involved the people who were in top ministerial positions, it is now remembered with pride by the majority of the nation. This defiantly justifies a national day of celebration and of course a day off!

December 8th 2011
Inmaculada Concepción
Holy mass, in the church on the main square in La Mata town centre commemorates this national fiesta. As it is a national fiesta everything is closed.

The Belen
A Spanish Christmas is celebrated in a slightly different way to that of the Brits, so it may be useful to know a little more. The majority of towns and pueblos (villages) have beautiful street lights, and in the town square (plaza) there is often a 'Belen' (meaning Bethlehem), which is an elaborate model village that depicts the tale of Christmas and the birth of Jesus. It's a real must to see!

December 24th 2011
Christmas Eve / Noche Buena
On Christmas Eve (known as Nochebuena) it is the Spanish custom to ‘see in’ Christmas day with a family meal. The menu has many courses: parma ham (cured) and cheese, fresh seafood, meat (normally lamb) etc. and then to finish there would be sweet cakes (postres), coffee, chocolates, liqueurs, champagnes (cava) and cider (sidra) etc. Considering that they don't start eating till about 10.30 pm, they are still going strong when Christmas day arrives, and beyond into the small hours. Families usually give and receive small gifts at this meal.

December 25th 2011
Christmas Day/ Natividad del Señor (Birth of Christ)
Papa Noel (Father Christmas) still comes to Spain, even though this is not a true Spanish tradition.
The 25th of December is a national fiesta however it is the night of Christmas Eve (24th of December) when the Spanish actually celebrate.

December 26th 2011
Boxing Day
The British invented, and keep the tradition of, Boxing Day, but, in general, it is seen as just an ordinary working day in Spain. You may, however, find that some offices and services are still closed.

December 31st 2011
New Years Eve
On New Years Eve in La Mata, everyone heads to the Town Square (Plaza) where there is a great atmosphere as the church bells ring in another year. On New Years Eve, tradition in Spain is to eat a grape on every strike of midnight. The story goes that this will bring you good luck. Tins of seedless grapes can be bought from most large supermarkets in the days running up to New Year's Eve and this certainly makes it easier to eat so many grapes (as the fresh grapes almost always have seeds). Try it out if you get the chance, it's quite a challenge!!!

Add to favorites      Tell others about this page