Spanish Fiestas and Festivals: A colorful experience

Spanish fiestas and festivals are as unique and diverse as the nation and her peoples. While most of the Spanish fiestas and festivals are celebrated nationally, there are many that are observed regionally, a direct result of the varied regional histories of this historic country. It seems that if there is one thing that the people of Spain know how to do it's party and, no matter what time of year a tourist chooses to visit, there is some important celebration happening somewhere in Spain.

99% of the population of Spain is Roman Catholic. Obviously the major Christian holidays and observances play an important part in the life of the average Spaniard, with both Christmas and Easter playing major roles. Christmas is so important that its observations last from December 8 until January 6. There are, however several Spanish fiestas and festivals associated with these holidays that are unique to the citizens of Spain and many festivals and fiestas that are wholly Spanish traditions.

New year in Spain brings nationwide Spanish fiestas and festivals. Celebrants gather in the streets to await the arrival of midnight. In some areas the people wear masks and elaborate costumes, creating an atmosphere similar to the Brazilian Carnivale or New Orleans at Mardi Gras. One chief tradition has celebrants attempting to eat twelve grapes during the last twelve seconds before midnight. Success is said to bring good luck. After the stroke of midnight the party continues well into the wee hours of the morning.

On January fifth most of Spain celebrates the procession of the Three Magi. Associated with Christmas, the Three Magi are in many ways a Spanish version of Santa Claus, the belief being that they bring presents to the children.

Carnival may well be the largest nationwide Spanish fiesta and festival celebration in all of Spain. Taking place in mid February or early March, the festivities are marked by singing in the streets and general revelry all over the country.

In Barcelona, one of Spain’s largest cities, March third kicks off the Spanish Festival of San Medir, the patron saint of the city. Travel advisors say that this is one of the better times to visit because the people are in an overly festive mood and welcome visitors to the city with much celebration. This merriment recommences on April 23 with the Spanish festival of Catalonia’s patron saint, Sant Jordi.

As with most of the Spanish festivals and fiestas, there is quite a bit of drinking involved.

Ferias

Most cities hold a week long feria each year. Most of these coincide with the celebrations of particular religious feasts and are celebrated with a good deal of drinking and merriment. During a feria the locals dress in traditional garb and celebrate day and night. Bullfights are often held during the ferias as well. Many cities celebrate the Spanish fiestas and festivals of San Fermin (also known as Sanfermines) all over Spain and it is one of the largest festivals you’ll find in the northern regions of the country. The most famous aspect of the celebration is without a doubt the Running of the bulls in Pamplona. This spectacle (one which must be seen… but not necessarily participated in) takes place at the launch of the week-long festival on July seventh. Many travelers visit the city intending to join in the run and report that it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of their lives. Caution is recommended, however, as every year there are participants in this event that do not live to tell about it later...

(Editor's Note: I run it two years ago traditionally drunk, and saw an Australian fellowmate got hit by a Bull 10 feet away...)

One of the more interesting fiestas is the August celebration of La Tomatina, the Tomato Festival. Taking place in Bunyol, near Valencia, the celebration of La Tomatina begins the last week of August with the main event, a massive “tomato battle” happening on that Wednesday. The tomato battle is exactly what its name implies, a fight in which the participants (typically everyone in town, locals and visiting tourists alike) throw tomatoes at one another.

La Tomatina is world famous and attracts many visitors each year. As such, the city had to develop a set of rules governing the tomato fight. Relatively simple and intended to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all, the rules are strictly enforced and are as follows:

* No bottles or items which could cause an accident

* No tearing Tshirts

* Tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown

* Be careful with the lorries which carry the tomatoes

* When the second banger is fired, tomato throwing must cease

(Editor's Note: Couldn't see for a day after a direct hit from a tomato, my shirt was gone immediately and a girl near me had to fight to have her's left on. Don't count on the locals to follow the rules, fight for your own life with a tomato in each hand!)

Following is a list of the major ferias of Spain. Plan to visit a city during a Feria and feel what does it means to party!

* Castellon (La Magdalena - the week before, of, or after Las Fallas)

* Valencia (Fallas – March 10-19)

* Seville (April Fair - Sunday after Easter for two weeks)

* Jerez de la Frontera (Feria del Caballo – falls in May - date depends on Easter)

* Madrid (San Isidro – May 1-30)

* Granada (Corpus Christi - First week in June)

* Alicante (San Juan - week of June 24)

* Badajoz (San Juan - week of June 24)

* Burgos (26 to 29 June), Algeciras (June 27-July1)

* Pamplona (San Fermin 6 to 14 July)

* Santander (San Jaime - week of July 25)

* Valencia (San Jaime - week of July 25)

* Huelva (Colombinas – August 1-5)

* Vitoria (Virgen Blanca – August 4-8)

* Malaga (August 14-25)

* Almeria (Virgen del Mar – August 25-31)

* Bilbao (Semana Grande – August 19-26)

* Murcia (September 11-20)

* Albacete (September 9-16)

* Salamanca (September 12-22)

* Valladolid (San Mateo - week of September 26)

* Logrono (San Mateo - week of September 26)

* Zaragoza (El Pilar - week of October 12)

* Jaen (last week in October)

* Madrid, Seville, and Valencia all have short ferias lasting about three days each at the end of October

Learn more about Spanish fiestas and festivals.

Back 22.03.2006.