The Spanish are very well known for their ability to enjoy themselves and have a good time. In addition to the national fiestas we all know such as Christmas and Easter, there are many other reasons to celebrate in Spain and even the smallest villages hold a fiesta for their patron saint on the appointed day.
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Jan 1st |
Año Nuevo – New Year’s Day |
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Jan 6th |
Diá de los Reyes, Epiphany – Three Kings |
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March 19th |
San José – Father’s Day |
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March 25th |
Viernes Santo – Good Friday |
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March 28th |
Diá de Pacua – Easter Sunday |
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May 1st |
Diá del Trabajo – Labour day |
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June 24th |
San Juan - St. John’s Day |
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June 6th |
Corpus Christi |
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June 29th |
San Pedro y San Pablo - St. Peter & St. Paul |
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July 25th |
Santiago - St James, Patron Saint of Spain |
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August 15th |
Asuncion - Assumption of the Virgin |
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October 12th |
Diá de la Hispanidad – Columbus Day |
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Nov 1st |
Todos los Santos – All Saints Day |
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Dec 6th |
Diá de la Constitucion – Constitution Day |
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Dec 8th |
Immaculada Concepcion – Immaculate Conception |
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Dec 25th |
Navidad – Christmas Day |
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Dec 28th |
Diá de los Santos Inocentes- All Fools Day |
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Picaos - In the town of Rioja men walk barefoot
in the street over the Easter period and flagellate themselves
until they bleed.
Hot
Feet - On the night of June 24th, Saint John, in
San Pedro Manrique, men walk over a bed of red hot coals.
Crazy
Wine Battle - In Haro, Rioja, the inhabitants hold
a wine battle, rather like a traditional food fight on June 29th
each year.
An
Unusual Procession - If you have survived a life
threatening illness then you can take part in the Procession of
Coffins in the town of Santa Marta de Ribarteme. On July 29th you
can ride in a coffin to celebrate survival and life!
New
Year's Eve in the Summer - In 1994 a power cut
stopped the population of Berchules in Granada from celebrating
New Year's Eve , so they decided to move the new year celebrations
to the beginning of August. It has now become somewhat of a tradition
to celebrate New Year's Eve in the summer.
Tomatina
- Or better known as a gigantic tomato fight, is held in Bunyol,
Valencia on the last Wednesday in August. The whole affair is rather
messy as literally thousands of ripe tomatoes are thrown at the
crazy participants.
April
Fool in December - In England this is known as April
Fool's Day, but in Spain it is held on December 28th. It is traditional
on this day to take part in practical jokes. |
Three
Kings - On the night of January 5th there is great
excitement as the Three Kings parade through the towns of Spain.
The reason - Instead of Father Christmas or Santa Claus, it is the
Three Kings who deliver the Christmas presents to children in Spain
on Epiphany, January 6th.
Carnival
- Carnival, although once banned under Franco, is now celebrated
throughout Spain. Parties are held and everyone dresses up for this
pre-Lent pagan festival. The most famous is held in Cádiz
in southern Spain, and on the Canary Islands.
Easter
- Ornate floats with images of Christ or the Virgin Mary are carried
through the town centres throughout Spain between Palm Sunday and
Good Friday, and on Easter Sunday.
Fallas
de Valencia - Massive tableauxs of papier mache
characters are made to be burnt on the Night of Fire in Valencia
on 19th March.This is quite something to see as thousands of euros
and months worth of work go up in flames.
Seville
Fair - Around two weeks after Easter this week-long
Andalusian Fair is held and has to be one of the most famous in
Spain. Parades of beautiful Spanish horses, bullfights and flamenco
dancers celebrate in the streets.
Jerez
Horse Fair - In mid May another Andalusian fiesta
takes place in the Sherry-making town of Jerez. There are displays
of horsemanship, bullfights and flamenco.
Moors
and Christians - On hte east coast of Spain throughout
the spring and summer, you will discover the fiesta of the Moors
& Christians where mock battles take place and the period costumes
are truly amazing. The festivities are extremely noisy with many
fireworks and early morning awakenings. One of the most famours
'Moros y Cristianos', is held in the town of Alcoy.
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