First week in December – Not a good weekend to pop across the border!

The official opening of the majority of ski resorts in the PO usually takes place around the first weekend of December, depending of course on the snow forecast. If you’re thinking of going shopping in Spain, bear in mind  two of its festival days, “Le Saint Nicolas” and the “’Immaculée Conception”, both of which are bank holidays in Spain. Apart from in the ski resorts, most shops and offices will be closed.

6th December

Le Saint Nicolas 

St. Nicholas of Myra, Turkey

Born in 271 AD and died around December, 342 or 343 AD, St. Nicholas  was known for his kindness, generosity, and secret gift- giving.

He was a shy man, and when he died, all sorts of stories were told of the wonderful things he had done during his life, a perfect role model for the future Santa Claus!

He is also the patron saint of judges, murderers, pawnbrokers, thieves, merchants, paupers, scholars, sailors, bakers, travellers, maidens and poor children!! A heavy workload for even the most saintly saint.

Legends & Miracles

• The three daughters: He secretly gave bags of gold to a poor man so his daughters could marry, inspiring the tradition of gift-giving (and Christmas stockings).

• Saving sailors: Legend says he calmed a storm at sea, making him the patron saint of sailors.

• Rescuing children: In one story, he brought back to life three children who had been murdered and pickled by an innkeeper (a gruesome tale, but it made him patron saint of children).

  Over time, his legend evolved into Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, which later inspired Santa Claus.

  The 6 December is also  Constitution Day: marking the 1978 referendum that brought democracy after Franco. Madrid holds official ceremonies, while most Spaniards enjoy the time off.

8th December

l’Immaculée Conception

The Immaculate Conception was established as a Catholic feast day in 1476 by Pope Sixtus IV and celebrates the Catholic belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin.

It’s also the patron feast of the Spanish army’s infantry, so you’ll often see military parades and ceremonies.

For most Spaniards, though, these two Bank holidays are simply part of the big ‘Puente de Diciembre’ long weekend (6–8 Dec), a time to enjoy family, travel, and Christmas markets.

Over that weekend, the Spanish often make a long weekend of it – and the ski season gets off to a festive beginning.