Events and Traditional Festivities in Andalucia

What´s on and Where in Spain

---

Events and festivals remain the centre-piece of Spanish life. And they are still observed as strongly today as they ever were. All over Spain including Andalucía and the Costa del Sol during Feria time (fair time) all the Spanish shops close, businesses shut down and the entire population of Andalucía it seems, takes to the streets to celebrate. It really is a fantastic spectacle. National events in Spain include the Three Kings night, San Juan, and Semana Santa (holy Easter week).

The Andalucian cities of Seville and Malaga are famous throughout Spain for the vastness of their processions. The night of San Juan is another extraordinary spectacle. It takes place on midsummer’s eve and sees huge fireworks displays and bonfires lit on the beaches across Spain. Traditionally, you have to jump over a fire three times to be cleansed and many also then leap into the sea – again a method of spiritual cleansing and getting rid of bad spirits. Of course, it turns into one huge party on the beach which lasts long into the night…

The evening of the Three Kings (Los Reyes) is another important celebration in the Spanish calendar. This is on January 5th each year, when huge floats proceed through the streets, symbolically carrying the Three Kings, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, who according to the Bible, brought gifts for the Baby Jesus, it´s the Spanish Christmas time!

There are also several regional festivals in Spain, and even festivals related only to particular cities, towns, or villages. For example, the Jerez horse fair is the place to see fantastic horsemanship, the April fair in Seville shows Flamenco at its best, and the processions of San Isidro in Estepona is an agricultural affair, as San Isidro is the patron saint of farmers. Elsewhere, Cordoba celebrates the Crosses of May Festival, the population of Tenerife have their own fiesta of San Antonio Abad, while the Rocio Pilgrimage is when nearly a million people from Spain and Andalucía descend on the small village of El Rocio – many on horseback or in decorated wagons. The Marbella Fair and the Manilva Carnival are also colourful lively events not to be missed, with multi-cultural music, traditional dance, and lots of locally made food and drink. Marbella de Tapas is a great 4 day annual compeition where establishments prepare their best tapas within one of the various catagories and only one can be the winner but plenty of full tummies!

Really…. there’s any excuse for a party as the Spanish do love to celebrate and why not, I ask you? There are many events through out Spain and to keep up to date with what’s going on when and where, the town hall generally offers a comprehensive guide. Radio stations and local magazines and papers also let you know what’s going on in your local village and area. Take a look at our videos to have a taster of what you could be missing if you don’t make it to a particular event. Life is what you make of it so why not enjoy it? Go on …....get out and about to as many events here in sunny Spain as possible!