Aside from the "usual" holidays and events (Christmas, New Year's Day, etc.) Spain has many
unique Festivals. Some are world-famous, while some are a little more secret. No matter how
widely known, each celebration is important and just as exciting.
1-2: Granada Reconquest Festival-This festival celebrates the taking
of the town from the Moors in 1492. On January 2, the highest tower at
the Alhambra is open to the public. (Granada) For information, contact
Tourist office of Granada, Plaza de Mariana Pireda, 10, 18009 Granada (tel.
(958)22-66-88)
6: Día de los Reyes (Parade of the Three Kings)-Parades
are held on the eve of the Festival of Epiphany. "Kings" give kids candy.
(All over Spain) Top
February
1-15: Bocairente Festival of Christians and Moors-Fireworks, parades,
costumes and a reenactment of the struggle between Christians and Moors
mark this festival. A stuffed effigy of Mohammed is blown up also. (Bocairente,
Valencia) Top
March
19: Fallas de Valencia-From the 1400's, this fiesta sees the burning
of paper-mâché effiges of winter demons. The burnings are
preceeded by bullfights, fireworks and parades. (Valencia) Top
April
Mid: Feria de Sevilla (Seville Fair)-The most celebrated week of
revelry in all of Spain, this fair includes all-night flamenco dancing,
merrymaking in casetas, bullfights, horseback riding, flower-decked coaches
and dancing in the streets. (Seville)Make hotel reservations early.
For info contact the Seville Office of Tourism, Avenida de la Consititución,
21B, 41004 Sevilla (tel. (95)422-14-04)
8-15: Semana Santa (Holy Week)-A series of processions with hooded
penitents moves to the
piercing wail of the saeta, a love song to the Virgin or Christ. Pasos
(heavy floats) bear
images of the Virgin or Christ. (Seville)Make hotel reservations
early. For info contact the Seville Office of Tourism, Avenida de laConsititución, 21B, 41004 Sevilla(tel. (95)422-14-04)Top
May
1-14: Festival de los Patios-During this famous fair, residents
decorate their patios with oceans of flowers. Visitors wander from patio
to patio. (Córdoba)
11-14: Romería del Rocio (Pilgramage of the Virgin of
the Dew)-The most famous pilgrimage in Andalusia attracts 1 million people.
Fifty men carry the statue of the Virgin 9 miles to Almonte of Consecration.
(El Rocio, Huelva) Top
June
14: Corpus Christi-A major holiday on the Spanish Calander, it includes
big processions, especially in cathedral cities like Toledo, Málaga,
Seville and Granada. (All over Spain) Top
July
7-14: Fiesta de San Fermím-Ripped from the pages of The
Sun Also Rises, the "Running of the Bulls" throught the streets of
Pamplona is the most popular celebration in Spain. Also the most photographed
event, it also includes wine tasting, fireworks and bullfights.Make
reservations months in advance. For more information contact Office of
Tourism, Duque de Ahumada, 3, 31002 Pampalona (tel. (948)22-07-41)Top
August
1-31: Antander International Festival of Music and Dance-A repertoire
of classical music, ballet, chamber music, contemporary dance, recitals
and more take part during the festival. (Santander) Top
September
Mid: Cádiz Grape Harvest Festival-A major wine festival in
Andalusia (which means all of Spain as well) honors the famous sherry of
Jerez. The festival is five days of processions, flamenco, bullfights,
livestock parades, and, of course, drinking sherry. (Jerez de la Frontera)
Top
October
Saint Teresa Week-Carnivals, parades, singing and dancing honor
the saint of this walled city. Dates Vary (Ávila) Top
November
1: All Saints' Day-Families lay flowers on the graves of loved ones.
(All over Spain) Top
December
28: Día de los Santos Inocentes-The Spanish equivalent of
April Fools' Day is an excuse for people to act and do "loco" things. Top
