El Primero de Mayo in Toledo has always differed from the rest of Spain because it coincides with the celebration of la Virgen del Valle (the Virgin of the Valley), the town's main annual pilgrimage.
The celebration begins on the night of April 30 with parties and reunions between friends and families, which causes 24 hours of heavy work for the town's authorities, since some of the day's traditions are dangerous.
Many events require police and firefighter attention during the celebration surrounding the pilgrimage, such as small fires on the hill on which the valley sits, teenagers trying to climb the Rey Moro rock that overlooks the city, and problems with public order.
Since 1892, the oldest registered Primero de Mayo in Toledo,[1] the theater has played a main part in the holiday’s celebration and the fight for the working class’s rights.
[1] During that time, since all of Spain was using the theater as a medium for secret celebrations, Toledo's Primero de Mayo was not unique in any way besides the pilgrimage for la Virgen del Valle.
On May 1, former Día del Trabajador, the Workers' Brotherhood of Catholic Action of Toledo gathered in a chapel for a mass in honor of San José Artesano, which was officiated by cardinal doctor Pla y Deniel.
The cardinal also called the working class's desires to obtain a better quality of life ‘legitimate aspirations’,[1] suggesting the church's support to workers’ demands to their bosses and government.
[6] The festival, planned by the El Greco Foundation and the City Council of Toledo, shared the streets with the Primero de Mayo manifestations in 2014 and 2015, but could not return for a 3rd year due to lack of funds.