St. Valero’s Feast

St. Velero’s Feast is a provincial public holiday observed annually in Zaragoza, Spain, on the 29th of January. Because it is a public holiday in the province, it is a day off for many working people, and it is a day when schools, government offices, and some businesses are closed.

This holiday is observed under the Holiday Act of Spain, which allows for not only national holidays and holidays of the Autonomous Community but also two provincial holidays for each province. This holiday commemorates the feast day of Valerius of Saragossa, a 4th-century saint and the patron saint of Saragossa (Zaragoza).

The History of St. Velero’s Feast in Zaragoza, Spain

Saint Valerius was a bishop of the capital city of Saragossa and was a part of the Council of Elbira. He, along with his deacon Vincent of Saragossa, was imprisoned under Roman Emperor Diocletian around the year 306. He was venerated by the people of Zaragoza and is the patron saint of the city.

  • Facts About Zaragoza, Spain
  • Below are some of the fascinating and informative facts that we’ve learned about Zaragoza, Spain:
  • It is the 5th largest city in Spain.
  • It is the capital of the Aragon region.
  • The city has over 2,000 years of history.

Observing St. Velero’s Feast in Zaragoza, Spain

This holiday is mainly observed through religious ceremonies, especially at La Seo Cathedral. People also use the holiday to spend time with friends and family members, attend sporting events, and engage in other celebratory activities. The hashtag #SaintVelerosFeast can be used on social media to spread the word about this religious holiday.

Where is it celebrated?
Spain (Local holiday)
When is it?
This year (2024)
January 29 Monday
Next year (2025)
January 29 Wednesday
Last year (2023)
January 29 Sunday