Top 15 Must-Experience Festivals in Spain

In nearly every Spanish city, town, and village, local cultural traditions thrive. The diversity across the regions brings an impressive array of festivals, often observed in honor of the local patron saint. These celebrations, frequently grounded in ancient customs and legends, can be quite exuberant, featuring food contests, extensive drumming sessions, and grand bonfires.

Throughout these festivities, local figures known as ‘gigantes’ (giants) and ‘cabezudos’ (big-heads) make their presence felt, embodying historical papier-mâché representations that have existed for centuries.

Here are the most significant festivals in Spain:

1. Semana Santa

The evening parades that unfold in every Spanish city during Holy Week prior to Easter are unparalleled in atmosphere. Participants, known as penitents, don robes and conical masks reflecting the colors of their religious brotherhoods. They carry long candles, and the most dedicated individuals pull large floats depicting Easter scenes, such as the Passion and sorrowful statues of the Virgin Mary.

Brass bands provide a soundtrack of solemn marches, while women in many southern regions perform saetas, flamenco laments. The ritual, steeped in medieval traditions, is organized by numerous Catholic brotherhoods, many of which trace their origins back to the Counter-Reformation of the 16th century. Semana Santa is celebrated from Maundy Thursday onwards, with notable festivities occurring in the medieval city of Ávila and the Andalusian cities of Seville and Málaga.

2. Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

In the two weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, a grand celebration transpires in the joint capital of the Canary Islands. Each year, the festivities adopt a new theme, with recent focuses including the 1980s, futurism, cartoons, and Bollywood, encouraging participants to don disguises. Various traditional musical groups participate, featuring Murgas (musical street performers) and comparsas (satirical musicians).

One of the most recognized events is the selection of the Carnival Queen, which occurs on the Wednesday before Ash Wednesday, where contestants appear in costumes so extravagant that they require wheels to move. The festivities culminate a week later with the traditional ritual of the burial of the sardine, heralding the start of Lent.

3. Carnival of Cádiz

Shortly thereafter, similar celebrations marking the start of Lent occur in the Andalusian city of Cádiz. This event emphasizes comparsas, musical groups that embrace the freedom of carnival to collectively dress and perform satirical songs about politics and current events. The apex is the contest at the Gran Teatro Falla, where the best comparsa is awarded recognition, often broadcasted to a national audience.

For two weeks, the streets are alive with diverse musical groups, many performing spontaneous theatrical acts.

4. Los Reyes Magos

The evening preceding Epiphany, January 6, holds significant importance for children across Spain, as it marks the arrival of the Three Kings in the nativity story to present their gifts to the newborn Jesus. To commemorate this occasion, processions featuring the kings, Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar, weave through many towns and cities, where they distribute sweets to the crowds.

On the night of January 6, it is customary for children to place their shoes out for gifts; awakening to discover what awaits them the following morning. Those deemed naughty may find coal among their presents, symbolized by ‘carbón dulce,’ a popular candy during the season.

5. Las Fallas, Valencia

The origins of these boisterous celebrations can be traced to the woodworkers in Valencia, who, as spring approached, would burn accumulated scraps from their workshops using a device known as a parot. Over time, the parots evolved into figurative representations called ninots, which now depict grotesque figures ranging from politicians to celebrities.

The grand culmination occurs on March 19, when all but one of the sculptures are burned in a dramatic display at the ‘Cremà.’ Each day from March 1 to March 19, attendees can partake in firecracker displays at Plaza del Ayuntamiento, known as the ‘Mascletà.’

6. Patios de Córdoba

To counter Córdoba’s arid climate, the traditional method involves creating a labyrinth of shaded alleys and interior courtyards (patios) adorned with fountains. For centuries, residents have enhanced these patios with vibrant floral displays every spring. During the first two weeks of May, the older districts of the city open their doors, commencing with the grand ‘Battle of the Flowers’ parade and a competition to select the most exquisite patio.

A designated route allows visitors to explore the finest patios, while evenings feature local music, dance, and an abundance of fino (dry sherry).

7. Feria de Abril

The Seville Fair occurs one week after Semana Santa and is a massive celebration teeming with energy. Attendees flock to the fairgrounds in Los Remedios, located in the southwest district of the city, where the aromas of fried delicacies, fino, orange blossoms, and jasmine fill the air. Most attendees are dressed in traditional flamenco attire, with women typically donning colorful polka-dotted dresses.

Approximately a thousand casetas—private tents offering live music, drinks, and tapas—invite participants to dance traditional Sevillanas until dawn.

8. Santa Tecla Festival, Tarragona

This historic city in southern Catalonia provides an atmospheric medieval backdrop for a festival dating back to at least the 11th century. Santa Tecla consumes the city for the last two weeks of September, characterized by dances, parades, and displays of castells (human towers). Parades in the cobbled streets of Part Alta feature representations of mythical creatures from medieval lore.

The appearance of the dragon signifies caution, as this figure expels fiery red sparks during the festivities. Additionally, the gegants (Catalan for Giants) participate, with Tarragona’s representing some of the oldest examples, originating from the early 19th century.

9. La Tomatina, Bunyol

The renowned food fight takes place on the final Wednesday of August in the town of Bunyol, situated approximately 40 kilometers from Valencia. Bunyol, with a permanent population of around 9,000, experiences a significant influx of visitors, swelling the crowd three to four times as tourists join the fray.

Due to its international acclaim, La Tomatina has transitioned to a ticketed event, requiring advance registration for entry. Despite the chaos, where 15 tons of overripe tomatoes are hurled within just two hours, the event proceeds safely each year. Participants are encouraged to crush the tomatoes before throwing, and it is prudent to wear goggles to avoid residue entering the eyes!

10. Moros y Cristianos, Alcoi

During the reconquista, Spain’s various Christian kingdoms combined to reclaim territory from the Moors, resulting in numerous cities witnessing significant battles. Today, communities commemorate key sieges, clashes, and campaigns from the 13th century through vibrant re-enactments. Alcoi hosts a three-day Christians and Moors festival in late April, recognized for its “International Tourist Interest” status, with roots dating back to the 16th century.

The festival reaches its peak the day following St. George’s Day when, dressed in chivalric attire, Christians are initially repelled from a model castle in Plaza Espana by the Moors brandishing turbans and scimitars. Using copious amounts of gunpowder, the Christians eventually gather around the statue of St. George to reclaim the town.

11. Feria de Jerez

This festival, occurring in late April or early May, also possesses “International Tourist Interest,” making it an ideal introduction to the traditions of this Andalusian city. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages when farmers convened to trade horses. Equestrian displays are central to the celebrations, reflecting the region’s esteemed horse-breeding heritage.

Fino wine plays a key role as well, often mixed with lemonade to create the popular “rebujito” cocktail. The festive atmosphere is enhanced by casetas, reminiscent of those found in Seville, but these tents in Jerez are accessible to all.

12. San Fermín, Pamplona

This festival garners international attention and is arguably the most renowned in Spain. Commencing with the chupinazo rocket ceremony at noon on July 6 and lasting until the 14th, it is a time of continuous revelry. The highlighted events are the exhilarating “encierros,” bull runs through the old town of Pamplona leading to the Plaza de Toros.

These runs feature six bulls and six steers, with daring participants adorned in traditional white attire and red neckerchiefs. Each afternoon, a bullfight is held, utilizing the same bulls that participated in the morning run, complemented by parades featuring Pamplona’s gigantes and cabezudos, a tradition over 150 years old.

13. Festa Major de Gràcia, Barcelona

From August 15 for an entire week, the Gràcia neighborhood in Barcelona undergoes a remarkable transformation. Each street and plaza displays different, imaginative themes, which come alive at night when illuminated. These decorations are crafted by local residents, who dedicate the year to conceptualizing and actualizing their inventive ideas.

The festival features a variety of events, including parades with gegants (giants), nightly musical performances in the plazas, and castells. On August 16, the competition for the best-decorated street and balcony is announced.

14. San Isidro, Madrid

A series of celebrations spans four to five days around May 15 in Madrid, coinciding with a pilgrimage to the shrine of San Isidro at the Pradera park. This pilgrimage attracts numerous participants, who often partake in a drink from the spring for good fortune.

The morning festivities include parades featuring gigantes, with many attendees garbed in traditional attire, such as the chulapo for men and goyesco for women. Throughout the celebrations, chotis, Madrid’s regional dance, can be witnessed alongside local culinary offerings, particularly rosquillas, a type of donut.

15. Aste Nagusia, Bilbao

The most significant celebration of the year in Bilbao commences on August 15 and lasts for nine days. The Txupinazo marks the launch of festivities, drawing crowds outside the Arriaga Theatre who await the firework signaling the start of the event. This moment also introduces Marijaia, a sculpture representing a jovial woman with raised arms.

Marijaia serves as a poignant symbol throughout the festivities, which encompass a variety of activities such as food fights, Basque strongman competitions, bull runs, bullfights, and fireworks displays. The celebration concludes with the ceremonial burning of Marijaia.