What are your Favorite Festivals in Spain?
Spain has a plethora of festivals. Almost every weekend there´s something being celebrated. Through exploration and with the participation of guest writers, we will explore and learn about each region´s customs and festivals. Join us on this journey…
Popular Festivals
January 6th: El Día de Los Reyes Magos (The Day of the Three Kings) celebrates the return of the three kings. It is celebrated in most cities and villages in Spain.
January 15th: Fiesta de Antón honor the patron saint of animals, San Antón, various cities in Spain.
February (2nd or 3rd weekend): Las Bodas de Isabel de Segura commemorates the legend of two young lovers in Teruel, Spain. With thousands of people, dress up in 13th century clothing and watch plays that reenact the story.
March 17th: Las Fallas honors the saint of Valencia, Saint Joseph, with fire and magic in Spain´s third largest city, Valencia.
April (changes every year): La Semana Santa commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus with processions in various cities around Spain. The opening solemn processions take place on Palm Sunday and then ends with more joyous processions on Easter Sunday.
July 6th: San Fermin is the most internationally known fiesta which was featured in Ernest Hemingway´s The Sun Also Rises. It honors Saint Fermin, a co-patron of the autonomous community Navarre, in a week long celebration with the running of the bulls, bullfighting, fireworks, and the Gigantes & Cabezudos parade in Pamplona, Spain.
July (2nd weekend): Fiesta del Ángel de Teruel (Vaquillas) has been compared to San Fermin, it is the most popular festival in Teruel which honors the patron Saint Peter. This long weekend celebrates with with bullfighting, roped bulls in the town center, folk dancing, parties in the streets with bands and lots of sangria.
October 11th: Fiestas de Pilar: Every year, hundreds of thousands of Catholic and non-Catholic alike visit the Basílica to kiss the column, seeking protection and showing their faith and love for Virgen del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar) in Zaragoza, Spain.
December 25th: Navidad/Christmas is celebrated around Spain with various dinners among family and friends.
December 31st: Noche Buena/New Year´s Eve is usually celebrated with a family dinner much like in America. Many young people ranging from teens to those in their twenties meet up with their friends afterwards to celebrate in the streets, in peñas (rented out garage or spaces) or at local bars.
Do you have more events to add to this list? Leave a comment and it will be added!
