"Long Weekend" or "bridge" are expressions used in Western countries to refer to a period of holidays or vacations. It is formed by joining a holiday with another, or a weekend. In some places, it is used the term "sandwich" to refer to a weekday located between two holidays, and this one is considered not working.
In December, the "twenty-fifth or Christmas Day" with its"Christmas Eve"(24th); the "First Day of January or New Year" with its New Year´s Eve (31st). The Sixth of January, Epiphany or "Three Wise Men" is very popular with children because they traditionally receive presents in Spain.
In the US, the fourth Thursday of November celebrates the traditional "Thanksgiving Day"; and it is bound to Friday normally considered non-working day plus the weekend. Friday is considered an unofficial holiday known as Black Friday, which begins the holiday shopping season. Many shops open their doors early and offer discount products to attract the public.
In the UK, a "long weekend" it is called "bank holiday" when the holiday is on Friday or Monday. In French culture exists equivalent: "faire le pont", and between Italian and Portuguese: "the ponte". In Germany and Switzerland: "brückentag".
Non-working days
In Spain, a worker usually has 15 public holidays per year: 12 days are national holidays, 2 local and one regional. Like Spain, all countries have a number of non-working days - from 10 to 15- are distributed throughout the year. Most states of the European Union have this figure, although the economic problems have led to the reduction.
In spring we celebrate Easter, religious holiday for Christians. Non-working days are Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. In general, these dates are holidays to rest or travel. The first day of May, as in many other countries, is celebrated "International Labor Day."
The fifteenth of August is the "Day of the Assumption of the Virgin". In Malaga, it is the main day of the "Fair" which takes place during this week. In Andalusia, we celebrate the twenty-eighth of February, date of the adoption of the Statute of Autonomy.
The twelfth of October, the festival is civil and religious. The "Columbus Day", both in Spain and Latin America remember the discovery of America. It is also the celebration of the Virgen del Pilar, patron saint of Spain.
The first of November is the "Day of All Saints." It is typical to visit and bring flowers to the cemetery.
