Constitution Day marks the anniversary of the 1978 referendum that approved Spain's democratic constitution following the Franco regime. The Congress of Deputies holds an open day, allowing citizens to tour the parliamentary chambers. Government offices, banks, and most businesses close. Many schools organize educational events in the preceding week about constitutional values. This holiday often forms a long weekend when bridged with the nearby Immaculate Conception on December 8.
📜 History & Origins
After Franco's death in 1975, Spain began a delicate transition (la Transición) from dictatorship to democracy. A constituent Cortes drafted a new charter that was approved by 87.8% of voters in a December 6, 1978 referendum. The 1978 Constitution restored parliamentary monarchy, regional autonomy, and civil rights, and the December 6 anniversary was declared a national holiday in 1983 to anchor the new democratic culture.
🎉 How It's Celebrated
The Congress of Deputies and several regional parliaments open their doors for public tours, and schoolchildren spend the preceding week studying constitutional rights and the flag. Civil ceremonies include flag-raisings and readings of the Constitution's preamble. Because December 6 falls close to the Immaculate Conception on December 8, Spaniards routinely take December 7 as leave (a "puente") for a five-day bridge weekend that opens the Christmas season.
🍽️ Traditional Foods
Constitution Day has no dedicated cuisine, but its timing — bridging into the Immaculate Conception — marks the unofficial start of Christmas eating. Families begin baking (or buying) turrón, mazapán (marzipan from Toledo), and polvorones, and prepare the first cocidos and roasted meats of the season. Bars and cafés serve churros con chocolate to bridge-weekend shoppers and marketgoers.
