The Day of Andalucía, also known as Andalucía Day (Día de Andalucía), marks the anniversary of a referendum held on February 28, 1980. A majority of voters supported this referendum for Andalucía to become an autonomous community in Spain. Many people spend the day with family or close friends. However, some people organize or attend private parties with traditional music, dancing, food and drink. Some municipalities hold communal meals with traditional foods, drinks and entertainment. Local politicians may present people with certificates or medals for service to the community.

Schools and most businesses are closed or have shortened hours on this day, so be sure to check opening hours of any business before you head out. Children in the region have the day off, so you will find many children out and about with their family celebrating the event heading to private parties with music, traditional dance, food and drink. Some cities celebrate the day with organized events or meals offering traditional food and entertainment, so look around for these.

Historical background. The autonomous community of Andalucía shares international land borders with Portugal and Gibraltar. Within Spain, it borders the autonomous communities of Castile-La Mancha, Extremadura and Murcia. People in Andalucia voted for the region to become an autonomous community of Spain on February 28, 1980.