St Francis of Assisi is kept on 4 October. Founder of the Franciscans, patron of Italy, of animals and of ecology, his memorial falls in early autumn; on Spain’s labour calendar some municipalities set the holiday around 4–5 October.
Verified data
In 2026, the dataset records Saint Francis as a local holiday in 4 municipalities, accounting for 1,256 residents in the 2025 register. The most common date is 5 October 2026. 2 municipalities set it on another date.
This comparison uses only the official working calendars incorporated into the dataset for each year.
Demographic profile
Age, citizenship, birthplace and average-age structure from the 2025 Annual Population Census.
46.1% / 53.9%
10.3%
60.3%
29.5%
12.3%
12.7%
49.8 years
Comparison with Spain and with the aggregate of the 2 regions where it is observed. All five comparisons are population-weighted and use only the 2025 Annual Census. A positive sign means the covered population has a higher value than the benchmark.
| Demographic profile | Covered population | Compared with Spain | Compared with its 2 regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 0–14 | 10.3% | -2.6 pp | -3 pp |
| Aged 65+ | 29.5% | +8.7 pp | +8.4 pp |
| Foreign citizenship | 12.3% | -1.8 pp | -0.9 pp |
| Born outside Spain | 12.7% | -6.6 pp | -3.9 pp |
| Weighted mean age | 49.8 years | +5.3 years | +5.1 years |
The largest difference from Spain is in “Aged 65+”: +8.7 pp.
Sex comes from the 2025 municipal register; all other metrics come from the 2025 Annual Census. Each percentage uses the total from its own statistical operation. INE municipal tables 68535 and 68541.
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (Assisi, c. 1181–1226) left family wealth to live the Gospel in poverty. He founded the Order of Friars Minor, staged the living Nativity at Greccio (1223) and, according to tradition, received the stigmata in 1224. He was canonised in 1228; his liturgical feast is 4 October (the Transitus is recalled on the eve).
Iconography links him to animals and creation; in many countries pet blessings coincide with his feast. In Spain the calendar label “San Francisco” usually points to this memorial, though it is wise to check each town’s parish dedication.
In 2026 the labour holiday appears around 4–5 October in municipalities such as Sotodosos, Ujados, Vianos (Castilla-La Mancha) and Lumpiaque (Aragon). It is not a national holiday: it is non-working only where the town hall declares it.
St Francis of Assisi, the Poverello.
When
In 2026 it falls on Monday 5 October in most municipalities. 2 move it to another date (when it lands on a weekend or by local agreement).
| Year | Main date | Municipalities |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Friday, 4 October | 1 |
| 2026 | Monday, 5 October | 4 |
Where it's a holiday
Its local holiday in 2026, by region. Each municipality links to its annual record and the available official source.
Together, they account for 1,256 residents in the INE municipal register at 1 January 2025.
FAQ
In 2026, Saint Francis is mainly celebrated on 5 October 2026 (Monday). Some municipalities move it to another date on the working calendar.
It's a local holiday in 4 municipalities in 2026, accounting for 1,256 residents in the 2025 register; mostly in Castilla-La Mancha (3 municipalities).
No. Saint Francis is a local-level holiday: it's only a non-working day in the municipalities that set it as their local festival; each keeps its official source.
Other holidays
Per-municipality data with its official source (regional gazette). Every date is verifiable on the municipality page. Data from festivos.io — CC BY 4.0.