Mothers Day in Spain
Mothers’ Day, known as Día de la Madre or Día de las Madres in Spanish, honours mothers and mother figures in Spain on the first Sunday in May.
Is Mothers’ Day a Public Holiday?
Mothers' Day is not a public holiday and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in Spain. (Red days in May)
How its Celebrated
Mothers and maternal figures receive gifts such as chocolates, flowers, cards, jewellery and clothes on Mothers’ Day. Some families dine out for a special meal, while others stay in and celebrate the day with traditional, home-made meals. Many children make hand-crafted presents and cards for their mothers.
Although Mothers’ Day is not an official public holiday in Spain, but many retail businesses and restaurants may be particularly busy right before or on this day.
About Mothers' Day
Mothers’ Day pays tribute to the commitments and achievements that mothers make for their families. Many believe that the celebration stems from an ancient Greek festival honouring the goddess Rhea, mother of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. After that, the Romans emulated the Greeks and celebrated “Hilaria”, a festival in March that honoured the goddess Cybele.
Early Christians celebrated a festival in honour of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The modern-day origins of Mother's Day can be attributed to two women in the United States – Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis. Mothers’ Day is now largely promoted by many businesses including card companies, florists, and department stores in various countries including Spain.
Why is the date different in the UK?
In the UK, the date is linked to Easter, which is different each year as it is determined by the lunar calendar. The UK's Mother's Day always falls on the fourth Sunday during the period of Lent, when people typically give up things like certain foods or bad habits for the days leading up to Easter.
Check out this section of the website for Fiesta information
Like or follow us on Facebook