Festivals & Events

There are so many special events in Spain; the main ones are listed on this page.

Click here for general public holidays, saints days and "puentes".

31 December 2009: New Year Countdown

Welcome in the New Year in Puerta del Sol, Madrid or La Plaza Nueva, Seville but don't forget to bring 12 grapes and a bottle of bubbly!
Suggested hotels: Casa del Maestro, Casa Romana, Hotel Alminar, Un Patio En Santa Cruz, Un Patio Al Sur, Casa Numero 7

5 January 2010: Fiesta de los Reyes, Malaga

The Three Kings of the Orient arrive in the city and are paraded through the main streets on huge decorated floats throwing sweets and small toys to the excited children.
Suggested hotels: Hotel Picasso, Puerto El Peral, Las Islas

19 - 20 January 2010: La Tamborrada, San Sebastian

Bring ear plugs and prepare for 24 hours of marching bands parading through the streets of San Sebastian playing drums and barrels in honor of their patron saint, Donostia or San Sebastian.
Suggested hotels: Villa Soro, Hotel Iturregi

26 January - 20 February 2009: Carnival, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Join in Gran Canaria’s biggest party of the year. This year’s theme is "Television".
Website: www.lpacarnaval.com
Suggested hotels: Hacienda del Buen Suceso, Hacienda de Anzo, Las Calas, Caserio de San Jose

12 - 21 February 2010: Carnival, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Another excuse to celebrate! Don't miss the largest carnival in Tenerife with street bands, processions and amazing costumes.The theme for this years carnival is the history of "carnaval".
Website: www.carnavaltenerife.com
Suggested hotels: Hotel Villalba, Senderos de Abona, El Patio de Tita

11 - 21 February 2010: Carnival, Cádiz

Cádiz becomes one big street party when thousands of people take to the streets on both weekends wearing themed costumes making fun of Spanish celebrities, politicians and current events.
Website: www.carnavaldecadiz.com
Suggested hotels: Casa Viña de Alcantara, Hotel Chancilleria, Casa Cinco, La Botica de Vejer, Hotel V...

15 - 20 March 2010: Las Fallas, Valencia

A wild few days of civic partying, climaxing with fireworks and amazing bonfires throughout the city. Eleborate effigies of local and national politicians go up in flames (what a fine idea!).
Suggested hotels: Casa Aldomar, Font Salada, Hotel Buenavista, Hotel Chamarel, Hotel Alahuar

16 - 19 March 2010: Las Fallas, Calpe

Just like Moors & Christians, the passion for Las Fallas is spreading, and now Calpe is celebrating their very own "Las Fallas".
Suggested hotels: Villa Marisol

28 March - 4 April 2010: Semana Santa

Holy Week (Easter) is celebrated throughout Spain, but no-one does it better than los andaluces.
Suggested hotels: All Andalucia hotels

20 - 25 April 2010: April Fair, Sevilla

THE big fiesta in Sevilla. Be sure to book early.
Suggested hotels: Casa del Maestro, Casa Romana, Hotel Alminar, Un Patio En Santa Cruz, Un Patio Al Sur, Casa Numero 7

22 - 24 April 2010: Moors & Christians, Alcoy, Alicante

Celebration of the historic battles between the Moors and the Spanish. Other towns in Alicante have a similar festival on other dates, and there are others even further down the coast.
Suggested hotels: La Puerta del Agua, Finca El Tossal, Mas Fontanelles, Casa Aldomar, La Serena, Cases Noves, Casa Del Maco, Hotel Alahuar

25 April - 2 May 2010: International Boat Show, Palma de Mallorca

Unmissable event for yachting and power-boat enthusiasts.
Suggested hotels: Convent de la Missio, Dalt Murada, Palacio Ca Sa Galesa, Sa Torre de Santa Eugenia, plus just about any other hotel in Mallorca

3 May 2010: Cruces de Mayo

The Crosses of May Festival take place in various towns and cities all over Spain where the locals dress large crosses with colourful flowers and have parties in the streets.

2 - 9 May 2010: Feria de Caballo, Jerez

Horse Fair in the city that is home to the famous Spanish Riding School.
Suggested hotels: Hotel Chancilleria, Casa Viña de Alcantara, El Santiscal, Cortijo Soto Real

5 - 16 May 2010: Festival de Los Patios Cordobeses, Cordoba

The famous Córdoba Patio Contest when home-owners throw open their patios and compete for the prize awarded to the most beautifully decorated patio. Not to be missed by those who love flowers and gardens.
Suggested hotels: La Hospedería de El Churrasco

7 - 9 May 2010: Spanish Grand Prix (F1), Barcelona

Always one of the most exciting events on the grand prix calendar. Spanish hero Fernando Alonso will be in a Ferrari. How will he fare against the Brits in the McLarens and Schumacher in last year's winning car?
Suggested hotels: Duquesa de Cardona, Cal Mestre, Hotel Palou

20 - 24 June 2010: Las Hogueras, Alicante

Colourful processions, marching bands and dancing, culminating in a huge fireworks display and bonfire at midnight on 24 June.
Suggested hotels: La Puerta del Agua, La Serena, Mas Fontanelles, Cases Noves, Casa Del Maco, La Madrugada, Hotel Alahuar, Finca El Tossal, Villa Marisol

22 - 24 June 2010: Festes de Sant Joan, Ciutadella

Traditional Menorcan equestrian event with much jousting and skilled horsemanship. (definitely not for amateurs!)
Suggested hotels: Morvedra Nou, Biniarroca, Sant Joan de Binissaida

24 June - 14 July 2010 : Granada International Festival of Music & Dance

Held in the Alhambra Palace and the surrounding area. Buy tickets online (from mid-April 2010) via the Festival's webpage on www.granadafestival.org
Suggested hotels: Casa Morisca, Puerta de Las Granadas, Zaguan Del Darro, Santa Isabel La Real, Muralla Ziri, Abadia

25 - 27 June 2010: The European F1 Grand Prix, Valencia

Formula 1 pays a second visit to Spain, on the swish harbourside of Valencia; the very same harbourside where the America's Cup boats are based.
Suggested hotels: Casa Aldomar, Font Salada, Hotel Buenavista, Hotel Chamarel, Casa Del Maco, Hotel Alahuar

29 June 2010: Batalla del Vino, Haro, La Rioja

This particular "battle" employs rather unconventional weapons and munitions, namely traditional Spanish leather wine vessels and wine. A messy affair thoroughly enjoyed by everyone within range
Suggested hotels: Villa De Ábalos, Antigua Bodega de Don Cosme Palacio, Castillo El Collado

6 - 14 July 2010: Running of the Bulls, Pamplona

San Fermín is a week-long fiesta including the famous "running of the bulls" through the streets of the old town.
Suggested hotel: Hotel Iribarnia

21 - 25 July 2010: Jazzaldia, San Sebastian

One of the longest-running jazz festivals in Europe. For tickets: 0034 943 440 034 or www.jazzaldia.com
Suggested hotels: Villa Soro, Iturregi

25 July 2010: Feast of Saint James (San Tiago), Santiago de Compostela

One of the most important Christian festivals in Spain, and a national holiday. Thousands of pilgrims arrive in the city of Santiago de Compostela and join the local Galicians for a day of great celebrations. Saint James is, after all, the patron saint of Spain and Galicia itself.
Suggested hotels: Rectoral de Cobres, Casa Grande da Fervenza

13 - 21 August 2010: Malaga Fair

Yet another not-to-be-missed bonanza of partying, that the Andalucians do so well.
Suggested hotels: Hotel Picasso, Puerto El Peral, Las Islas

August 2010: Local Fiestas

August is the month when nearly every city, town and village in Spain and the Balearics celebrates a local fiesta.
Suggested hotels: Just about every one on our websites; Mainland Spain or the Balearics.

21 - 29 August 2010: Aste Nagusia, Bilbao

The "Big Week" in Bilbao in which the city hosts a celebration of traditional Basque music and dance, along with fireworks, bullfighting, gastronomic competitions and sports events.
Website: www.astenagusia.com
Suggested Hotels: Iturrienea Ostatua, Hotel Katxi, Iturregi

25 August 2010: Buñol Tomato Festival, Valencia province

Yes, it's the one that everyone's heard of! The whole town goes absolutely mad, throwing ripe tomatoes at all and sundry.
Suggested hotels: Font Salada, Hotel Buenavista, Hotel Chamarel, Casa Del Maco, La Madrugada, Hotel Alahuar

4 September 2010: Goyesca Fair, Ronda

Popular bullfight in which the fighters dress in the costumes shown in Goya's famous 18th century paintings. Before the bullfight there is a costume parade with horse-drawn carriages, through the town and ending at Ronda's historic bull ring, in the middle of the arena. Don't worry if bull-fighting isn't your thing: there's lots more going on too. Please note that hotels get booked up months ahead for this event.
Suggested hotels: Enfrente Arte, San Gabriel, Fuente de La Higuera, Molino del Santo

17 - 25 September 2010: International Film Festival, San Sebastian

See the stars arrive for Europe's biggest annual film event.
Website: www.sansebastianfestival.com
Suggested hotels: Villa Soro, Hotel Iturregi

21 - 27 September 2010: Fiestas de la Vendimia, Logroño

Celebrate the grape harvest in La Rioja.
Suggested hotels: Castillo El Collado, Antigua Bodega De Don Cosme Palacio, Villa de Abalos

9 - 17 October 2010: Fiestas del Pilar, Zaragoza

Street processions with beautiful flowers, theatre performances, live music and dancing in the city's squares in honour of the Virgin of Pilar.

November 2010 (exact date not yet confirmed): Olive and Olive Oil Festival, Baena, Córdoba

One of the biggest olive oil producers in the world. A three-day day fair dedicated to everything to do with olives and olive oil, with tastings, cooking demonstrations and educational events held throughout the festival.
Suggested hotel: La Hospedería de El Churrasco

31 December 2010: New Year Countdown

5 January 2011: Fiesta de los Reyes, Malaga