Public Holidays in Madrid in 2026: What Is Open and What Is Closed

Madrid has 14 public holidays in 2026: 12 national or regional ones, plus two local city holidays, San Isidro (15 May) and the Almudena (9 November). On those days most shops close, transport runs on a reduced timetable and some museums close or change their hours. This guide gives the 2026 dates and a method to avoid arriving at a closed door; it complements our guide to Sundays in Madrid. Dates checked in October 2026 in the calendar of the Community of Madrid.

The 14 public holidays of 2026

The Plaza Mayor and the Casa de la Panadería

Date	Day	Holiday
1 January	Thursday	New Year's Day
6 January	Tuesday	Epiphany (Three Kings)
2 April	Thursday	Maundy Thursday
3 April	Friday	Good Friday
1 May	Friday	Labour Day
2 May	Saturday	Day of the Community of Madrid
15 May	Friday	San Isidro (local city holiday)
15 August	Saturday	Assumption
12 October	Monday	National Day of Spain
2 November	Monday	All Saints' Day (moved from Sunday 1 November)
9 November	Monday	La Almudena (local city holiday)
7 December	Monday	Constitution Day (moved from Sunday 6 December)
8 December	Tuesday	Immaculate Conception
25 December	Friday	Christmas Day

When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the Community of Madrid may move it to the Monday: this is the case in 2026 for All Saints' Day and Constitution Day. Dates change every year: check the official calendar for another year.

The "puentes": when the city empties

A holiday on a Monday or a Friday creates a three-day weekend, and many Madrileños leave town. In 2026 this applies to 1 May and 15 May (Fridays), 12 October, 2 November, 9 November and 7 December (Mondays), plus Holy Week and the December bridge. The city is quieter, but tourist sites are often busier. For Holy Week, see our guide to Holy Week in Madrid.

What is closed

Shops and supermarkets: most close on public holidays. Some shopping centres and department stores in the centre open on dates set each year; do not count on it and do your shopping the day before. See also shopping in Madrid.
Banks and administrations: closed.
Restaurants and bars: most open, except on 25 December and 1 January, when many close or serve a special menu. Book ahead.

Museums and monuments

Museums publish their closing calendar on their websites. A few examples already checked in our pages: the CaixaForum closes on 25 December, 1 and 6 January. The Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Royal Palace have their own closing dates and free-entry days: check their page and website before planning a holiday. As a rule, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December are the riskiest days.

Transport

On public holidays, the metro, buses and suburban trains generally run on a timetable close to the Sunday one, with lower frequency. Check the operator's app or website the day before. For details of the network, see transport in Madrid.

The two local holidays

San Isidro, 15 May: the feast of Madrid's patron saint, with a pilgrimage to the hermitage and a picnic at the Pradera. See the San Isidro festivities.
La Almudena, 9 November: the feast of the city's patron Virgin, with Mass at the Almudena Cathedral.

Practical tips

Do your shopping and withdraw cash the day before a holiday.
Book restaurants and museum tickets in advance.
A public holiday is a good time for open-air places: the Retiro, Madrid Río or the Plaza Mayor.
For free ideas, read free things to do in Madrid.

Holiday dates checked in October 2026; opening hours of sites are to be checked on their official websites.