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Spanish ferias are much more than Sangria and Paella. Come with us and experience the dancing, singing and gastronomy.
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Ferias & Fiestas
When planning a tour of Spain, if there is a feria or fiesta taking place during your stay, we’d love to share this vibrant atmosphere with you.
Here at Spanish Detours, unlike traditional tours of Spain, our flexibility enables you to experience the very essence of Spanish life. We will time your days out, wherever possible, to coincide with fiestas and ferias that are in progress in towns and cities across Andalucía.
We want you to go home with lasting memories of this beautiful region of Spain.
Most of all we would like you to join in with the Spanish people in their fiestas, of which there are countless numbers being celebrated throughout the year.
When it comes to enjoying themselves the Spanish are the past masters. Every month of the year there are fiestas being celebrated all over Spain and the Andalucians fiesta more than anyone.
The solemn religious processions of the Semana Santa (Easter) that raise the hair on the back of your neck, with the performance of El Paso (the Passion Play) in our very own Riogordo which attracts thousands of visitors over Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
Contrast this with the first two weeks in September when Ronda bursts into life with a feria, flamenco contests and the Corrida Goyesca, bullfights in 18th century dress.
Shown below is just a sample of what you can experience during the course of the year.
JANUARYLa Toma - Celebration of the entry of the Catholic Kings into the city – at Granada.
Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos - Epiphany parade – at Malaga.
Romeria del Ermita - Pilgrimage procession – at Guadix.
FEBRUARYSan Cecilio - Fiesta in Granada’s traditionally gypsy quarter of Sacromento.
Candlemas - at Benagalbon
Fiestas de Carnaval - An extravagant week-long event during the middle of the month leading up to Lent in all Andalucian cities. Includes the Batalla de Flores (battle of the flowers) – at Malaga.
Andalucía Day - Public holiday celebrated all over Andalucía.
MARCH/APRILSemana Santa (Holy Week) - follows Palm Sunday and has it’s most elaborate and dramatic celebrations here in Andalucia. You’ll find moving and memorable processions of floats and penitents in all four major cities all culminating with processions throughout the region in every town on Good Friday. The house where you will be staying is only 6 metres away from the church. From the roof terrace you will have an incredible view of Riogordo’s procession.
El Paso - Performed in Riogordo (where you will be staying) on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. This 4 hour story of Christ, including his crucifixion attracts thousands of visitors from all over Andalucía for the two performances.
Seville Feria - two weeks after Easter a week-long festival at Seville which is the largest fair in Spain.
MAYCruces de Mayo (Festival of May) - celebrates the Holy Cross whereby large crosses are decorated and dislayed throughout Granada and Cordoba.
Fiesta de los Patios (Festival of the Patios) – is celebrated in Cordoba and includes a competition for the prettiest flower covered patio.
Corpus Christi - celebrated throughout the regions with bullfights and festivities at Granada, Seville, Ronda.
Feria de Ganado – at Riogordo during the last week of May. Breaking in and harnessing of livestock competition.
JUNEFeria de San Bernabe - during the second week of June at Marbella. This is often spectacular since this is the 'richest' town in Andalucía.
Candelas de San Juan - bonfires and effigies at various places.
Feria de Alhaurin de la Torre - processions, giants and an important flamenco competition.
JULYInternational Guitar Festival at Cordoba – takes place in early July and brings together top international acts from classical, flamenco and Latin American music.
Around the feast of San Francisco Solano – at Montilla celebrates it’s annual feria.
Feria de Almachar - in honour of Nuestra Senora del Amparo.
AUGUSTFeria de Malaga - This is one of Andalucía’s most enjoyable fiestas for visitors, who are welcomed by the ebullient Malagueños.
Vendimia - grape harvest fiesta at Montilla.
SEPTEMBERFeria de Ronda - during the first two weeks in September, Ronda bursts into life with a feria, flamenco contests and the Corrida Goyesca, bullfights in eighteenth century dress.
Fiesta de la Virgen de la Cabeza - at Almuñecar.
Fiesta de Pasa – during the middle of September at Viñuela. Grape treading inaugurating the wine harvest.
Feria Real de San Miguel – takes place at the end of September and the beginning of October at Velez Malaga.
OCTOBERFiesta de Castana – at Alcaucin. Chestnut, anisette and sweet potato tasting for all attending.
NOVEMBERTodos los Santos (All Saints Day) - where relatives visit the graves of their loved ones in the cemetery and decorate the graves with flowers and candles. Rather than being a sad occasion, this day a joyous event and cemetaries throughout Spain are filled with glorious floral displays.
DECEMBERFiesta de Chorizo – at Colmenar. Sausage fair including tastings. Since Franco’s days the themes of many traditional fiestas has changed to have a greater sense of frivolity and fun.