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Festivals in Andalucia

Festivals in Andalucía © Michelle Chaplow
Festivals in Andalucía

Festivals

There is no better way to get to know Andalucia than through their many and fascinating traditional festivals. The local fiesta is the moment when every town and village strives to put on a splendid show, not only for themselves but also for those who come from afar to admire and enjoy. Over 3,000 fiestas are celebrated every year in Andalucia, including fairs, pilgrimages, carnivals, mock battles between Moors and Christians and religious processions. Each town and village has at least one patron saint and the processions in their name.  In fact, there is scarcely a day in the year without its fiesta. 

Below is our descriptive guide to the more popular festivals taking place each year. They are listed more or less in the order that they take place in the year. Alternatively consult a larger listing of the Festivals and Fiestas in Andalucia in a month by month format.  Also consult our list of the summer ferias and this extensive guide to the  main modern music and dance festivals.

Traditional Festivals in Andalucia

The Day of the Three Kings ¡Feliz día de Reyes! © istockphoto The Day of the Three Kings ¡Feliz día de Reyes!

There is quite a debate across Spain regarding whether Santa Claus is displacing the traditional Three Kings at Christmastime in Spain. The truth is that Santa Claus is becoming more and more… More →


Carnivals in Andalucia © Michelle Chaplow Carnivals in Andalucia

Spain is a country with a well known Catholic tradition. The carnival is, therefore, celebrated before the 40 days of Lent as a way to let loose before the prohibitions of the upcoming religious… More →


Visiting Andalusia on Día de Andalucía is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the region's culture and traditions. © Michelle Chaplow Visiting Andalusia on Día de Andalucía is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the region's culture and traditions.

Every year on 28 February, the region of Andalusia celebrates Día de Andalucía. Andalusia Day is a public holiday throughout the region, one of several festivos during the year, which celebrates… More →


Holy Week, Semana Santa, in Andalucia is an event that literally transforms towns and cities across this region © Michelle Chaplow Holy Week, Semana Santa, in Andalucia is an event that literally transforms towns and cities across this region © Michelle Chaplow

Holy Week, Semana Santa, in Andalucia is an event that literally transforms towns and cities across this region. Processions of elaborately decorated floats with Jesus and Mary statues, groups of… More →

 Hermandad de Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor Hermandad de Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor

In 1993, a young woman from the village of Luque in Cordoba had the idea of creating an hermandad (church brotherhood which goes out in a procession in Holy Week) specifically for women. The… More →


Feria de Sevilla - An experience that you simply can not miss if you are in Seville this period © Michelle Chaplow Feria de Sevilla An experience that you simply can not miss if you are in Seville this period © Michelle Chaplow

Spring in Seville has a special atmosphere, garlanded with the sweet scent of orange blossom and jasmine, and a frisson of excited anticipation, as the city's two most important events take place… More →

The Cordoba Spring Fair, or Feria de Nuestra Señora de la Salud (Our Lady of the Health) © Michelle Chaplow The Cordoba Spring Fair, or Feria de Nuestra Señora de la Salud (Our Lady of the Health)

The Cordoba Spring Fair, or Feria de Nuestra Señora de la Salud (Our Lady of the Health), takes place during the last week of May. Its venue is the municipal fairground on the north bank of the… More →


Battle of the Flowers (Batalla de las Flores) © Michelle Chaplow Battle of the Flowers (Batalla de las Flores)

Battle of the Flowers (Batalla de las Flores) isn't usually in May but end of April. The "battle'' consists of a procession of floats making its way along the city`s Paseo de la Victoria


Cruces de Mayo in Cordoba © Michelle Chaplow Cruces de Mayo in Cordoba

The May Crosses Festival (Cruces de Mayo) is celebrated in many parts of the world, especially in Latin America and Spain. In Cordoba festival holds special importance and is the best known of the… More →


Jerez Horse Fair © Michelle Chaplow Jerez Horse Fair, a stunning display of the finest horses of the region. © Michelle Chaplow

The Jerez Horse Fair, known as the Feria del Caballo, is traditionally held during the first or second week in May. It is an exciting and lively event that brings the entire city to the González… More →


Patios de San Basilio © Michelle Chaplow Patios de San Basilio © Michelle Chaplow

The Patio contests is sponsored by the Córdoba City Hall and began in 1918. But to really understand why a contest of this type was created in Córdoba you must know something about the local… More →


June is the month for Corpus Christi celebrations. © Michelle Chaplow June is the month for Corpus Christi celebrations in Andalucia

Corpus Christi feast is the Catholic solemnity in honour of the presence of the body of Christ in the holy water. It is celebrated throughout Spain and is held in either May or June depending on… More →


We have art to avoid dying from reality© Michelle Chaplow We have art to avoid dying from reality , The Night of San Juan is definitely one of these events.  It is a celebration that is usually held on the beach with roaring bonfires, drink, food, and friends  © istock photo The Night of San Juan is definitely one of these events. It is a celebration that is usually held on the beach with roaring bonfires, drink, food, and friends

Certain festivals seem to summarise life in Spain, with its love of having a good time in the company of friends and loved ones. The Night of San Juan is definitely one of these events. It is a… More →


Estepona Feria Poster 2024 Estepona Feria Poster 2024

The Caseta Municipal will host free concerts by King Africa, David Barrull, José Ortiz, Miguel Campello, Merche and Las Hermanas Rodes. From Thursday to Saturday there will be a free horse-drawn… More →

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Estepona Summer Feria takes place the first week in July from Tuesday to Sunday and gives everyone a week to enjoy dancing, drinking and eating. Both the day fair and the night fair take place at… More →

Ronda's Feria Goyesca is pure historic pageantry © Michelle Chaplow Ronda's Feria Goyesca is pure historic pageantry

Ronda is an ancient mountain town of scenic vistas, omantic plazas, and historic treasures. Once a year, Ronda also sees a return to tradition with its annual Feria Goyesca. A fairly recent… More →

Local Malagueñas enjoying their home town feria. © Michelle Chaplow Local Malagueñas enjoying their home town feria.

The annual Malaga city fair in August is an exuberant week-long street party with plenty of flamenco and 'fino' (sherry). The fair commemorates the re-conquest of the city by Isabella and… More →

Feria de Sevilla - An experience that you simply can not miss if you are in Seville this period © Michelle Chaplow Feria de Sevilla An experience that you simply can not miss if you are in Seville this period © Michelle Chaplow

Spring in Seville has a special atmosphere, garlanded with the sweet scent of orange blossom and jasmine, and a frisson of excited anticipation, as the city's two most important events take place… More →


 The Virgen del Carmen was once known as 'Queen of the Seas'. © Michelle Chaplow The Virgen del Carmen was once known as 'Queen of the Seas'.

Religious icons are hugely popular in Andalucia; they are normally handcrafted from wood and porcelain and spend 99.9 per cent of the year in glass-covered alcoves at the local church. Most are… More →


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This festival is more popular in the east of Andalucia in the mainly provinces of Granada and Almeria, It takes place on different many days through out the year depending on the locality.

Horseracing on the golden sands of Sanlúcar. Photo Ricardo Jiménez Horseracing on the golden sands of Sanlúcar. Photo Ricardo Jiménez

Every year the beaches of Sanlucar de Barrameda in the province of Cádiz come alive with the pounding of hooves as the famous horse races take over the coast. Traditionally, the races take place… More →

The pilgrimage takes place over the weekend before Pentecost © Michelle Chaplow The El Rocio pilgrimage takes place over the weekend before Pentecost © Michelle Chaplow

The El Rocío pilgrimage is the most famous in the region, attracting nearly a million people from across Andalucia and the entire country, and beyond. Every Andalucian city, town and village has… More →

Perhaps the most spectacular romeria is the one devoted to the Virgen del Rocío Perhaps the most spectacular romeria is the one devoted to the Virgen del Rocío, popularly called "El Rocio" for short. © Joaquin Alarcon

Andalucia is famous for its pilgrimages or "romerías" - so called because pilgrims traditionally walked to Rome, and therefore became known as "romeros" - to popular shrines, around which fiestas… More →

The devote congregation during the service © Michelle Chaplow The devote congregation during the service © Michelle Chaplow , Gypsy Festival Cabra © Michelle Chaplow After the Service the congregation take the Virgin de la Sierrra from the Church and parade her around the grounds. © Michelle Chaplow

The “Romería Nacional de los Gitanos”, or National Gypsy Pilgrimage” traditionally takes place the third Sunday in June and attracts not only gypsies, but also “gachos” (non-gypsies). In fact,… More →

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One of Andalucia’s most picturesque “romerías” traditionally took place every year in Ronda on a Sunday late in May or early in June. However in late 2016 it was decided to change the date to the… More →

The San Isidro procession is led by agricultural floats and ends with the saint himself © Sophie Carefull & Michelle Chaplow The San Isidro procession is led by agricultural floats and ends with the saint himself

On the 15th May Estepona celebrates the day of its patron saint, San Isidro Labrador (the Farmer), with a procession starting at San José church in the old town and making its way around the… More →

The first pressing of the vintage © Michelle Chaplow Vendimia de Jerez, the first pressing of the vintage © Michelle Chaplow

In most wine-growing districts of Andalucia and Spain, the vintage or grape harves begins on the feast of St Matthew (21st September). In Jerez it starts officially on 8th September, the feast of… More →

Cascamorras waving the flag in Baza. Phot courtesy Baza Town H Cascamorras waving the flag in Baza , Cooling off in a fountain in Baza © Michelle Chaplow Cooling off in a fountain in Baza

Cascamorras festival in the towns of Guadix and Baza has been declared Festival of International Tourism interest due to its intriguing history. Although the festival is relatively little-known… More →

All Saints' Day follows Halloween -  Casares © Brian Gutcher All Saints' Day follows Halloween - Casares © Brian Gutcher

On 1 November, Tosantos (a contraction of todos los santos, or "all the saints") is celebrated throughout Andalucia, particularly in the villages of Cadiz and Malaga. It is traditional to visit… More →

Christmas Festivals in Andalucia Christmas Festivals in Andalucia

Christmas brings great cheer across Spain as families prepare to spend the Season together over one elaborate meal after another. Every year Andalucia.com brings you a special look at Christmas… More →

The Verdiales celebrations, of dancing and singing can be thristy work © Michelle Chaplow The Verdiales celebrations, of dancing and singing can be thristy work © Michelle Chaplow

December 28th, right smack in the middle of the Spanish Christmas season, we have the annual Verdiales competitions taking place right outside Málaga City. The festival will bring together… More →

The Day of the Three Kings ¡Feliz día de Reyes! © istockphoto The Day of the Three Kings ¡Feliz día de Reyes!

There is quite a debate across Spain regarding whether Santa Claus is displacing the traditional Three Kings at Christmastime in Spain. The truth is that Santa Claus is becoming more and more… More →

The Verdiales celebrations, of dancing and singing can be thristy work © Michelle Chaplow The Verdiales celebrations, of dancing and singing can be thristy work © Michelle Chaplow

December 28th, right smack in the middle of the Spanish Christmas season, we have the annual Verdiales competitions taking place right outside Málaga City. The festival will bring together… More →

12 lucky grapes, one for each month of the forthcoming year. © Michelle Chaplow 12 lucky grapes, one for each month of the forthcoming year.

Possibly you thought the Christmas season was over on New Year’s Eve, but in Spain this is just the mid-point of all the celebrating. In this country, the tradition is to have a rather late dinner… More →

Theatre Festivals in Andalucia

Theatre Festivals. Sevilla, Málaga, Cadiz, Jerez and other cities offer theatre and opera festivals and programmes.

Music and Dance contemporary Festivals

Classical Music, Flamenco & Pop. Andalucia has it all © andalucia.com Classical music, flamenco and pop - Andalucia has it all.

There are hundreds of local music and dance festivals held in Andalucía each year, especially in the summer. We track fifty established ones. 2025 is set to be another big year, with organisers… More →

Festivals in Andalucia

Here is our long list of hundreds of pages of Festivals in Andalucia in the towns and villages of Andalucia.

There are hundreds of local music and dance festivals held in Andalucía each year, especially in the summer. We track fifty established ones. 2025 is set to be another big year, with organisers… More →

As winter evenings draw in, the towns and villages of Andalucía once again burst into colour with the glow of Christmas lights. Across the region, from the snow-capped Sierras to the sun-warmed… More →

The eighth edition of the Pueblos Blancos Music Festival, a grassroots event took lace in the Serranía de Ronda from Thursday, 31 July to Sunday, 3 August 2025.

The Semana Santa (Holy Week) procession Palm Sunday it the first of six different days during Semana Santa in Estepona that have processions.

Every year on 28 February, the region of Andalusia celebrates Día de Andalucía. Andalusia Day is a public holiday throughout the region, one of several festivos during the year, which celebrates… More →

The 14th of February is Valentine's Day, or Dia de los Enamorados (Lovers' Day) in Spain. Many hotels and restaurants around Andalucia will have special offers on, so if you're after a… More →

Benalmadma Pueblo is one of the best towns to take part in a Corpus Christi festival on the Costa del Sol. Several of the streets in and around Plaza de España are decorated with a carpet of… More →

The eighth edition of the Pueblos Blancos Music Festival, a grassroots event, took place in the Serranía de Ronda from Thursday, 31 July to Sunday, 3 August 2025.

Holy Week, Semana Santa, in Andalucia is an event that literally transforms towns and cities across this region. Processions of elaborately decorated floats with Jesus and Mary statues, groups of… More →

Popular festivals in Cortes y Graena are San Lorenzo, San Torcuato, San Antonio de Padua and San Marcos.

The summer feria in San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella, it is traditionally held on the third week of October from a Monday or Tuesday to a Sunday to coincide with the Saint’s feast day.

Amazingly 2025 will be the 43rd edition Zaidin Rock which is now the longest running free admission Rock Festival in Spain (and probably Europe). Location is the esplanade between Estadio Los… More →

The summer feria in San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella, it is traditionally held on the third week of October from a Monday or Tuesday to a Sunday to coincide with the Saint’s feast day.

The Caseta Municipal will host free concerts by King Africa, David Barrull, José Ortiz, Miguel Campello, Merche and Las Hermanas Rodes. From Thursday to Saturday there will be a free horse-drawn… More →

Some of the most popular festivals in Dúrcal

The main festivals celebrated in Pinos Puente are Cabalgata Reyes Magos, La Candelaria, Carnival, Semana Santa, May Crosses, San Pascual Bailón, Feria de Agosto, Processsion of the Virgen de… More →

Popular festivals in Peligros are Cabalgata Reyes Magos, Fiestas de San Ildefonso, Carnival, Día de Andalucía, Semana Santa, May Crosses, Fiestas de las Mozuelas, San Juan, Festival Internacional… More →

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Popular festivals in Calicasas are Cabalgata Reyes Magos, Carnavales, Semana Santa, Día de la Cruz, Fiestas Patronales en Honor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario and Día de la Patrona.

Popular festivals in Pulianas are Cabalgata Reyes Magos, La Candelaria, Carnaval, Jueves Lardero, Semana Santa, May Crosses and Fiestas Patronales en Honor a Nuestra Señora de los Remedios y del… More →

The first records of Alfacar as a settlement date from the Zirid period (1010-1090). The name Alfacar comes from the Arabic term al-Fajjar, which means mud, clay or pottery. At… More →

Popular festivals in Alfacar are Cabalgata Reyes Magos, Noche de los Capachos, Fiesta Patronales de San Sebastián, Carnavales, Semana Santa, Fiestas de San Pedro, Verano Cultural, Fiestas de… More →

This festival which celebrates its 31st edition in 2025 features about 40 rockabilly, blues, surf, and boogie-woogie bands from Europe, and USA. Took place 5-9th February 2025 in several venues in… More →

Cabalgata Reyes Magos, The Three Kings procession is celebrated on the evening of 5th January.

Popular festivals in Sorihuela del Guadalimar are Festividad de Santa Águeda Virgen y Mártir, Festividad de San Isidro and Romería de Santa Quiteria Virgen y Mártir.

Cabalgata Reyes Magos, The Three Kings procession is celebrated on the evening of 5th January.

Popular festivals in Navas de San Juan are Romería de la Virgen de la Estrella, Feria y Fiesta en Honor a San Juan Bautista and Fiesta del Emigrante.

Popular festivals in Sorihuela del Guadalimar are Festividad de Santa Águeda Virgen y Mártir, Festividad de San Isidro and Romería de Santa Quiteria Virgen y Mártir.

Dreambeach 2013 was the first edition of Dreambeach. It took place from 10th to 15th August 2017. This was the longest festival yet. Six days Tuedsay to Sunday. The Sunday was a wind down… More →

Dreambeach moves to a new location for it 10th Aniversary in 2024 at La Toya Retamar close to Almeria City and Airport leaving behind Playa Villaricos (Cuevas del Almanzora, Almería).

The Starlite Festival is a three month-long music and cultural event held in June, July and August at the Cantera de Nagüeles, in Marbella. It is now established as one of the important annual… More →

Marenostrum Fuengirola - 18th May to 17th August 2024. Marenostrum Fuengirola is one of the larger series of outdoor concerts events on the Costa del Sol. Organised by Fuengirola Town Hall, it… More →

The 2023 edition of the Primavera Trompetera Festival took place on the 30th and 31st March and 1st April 2023. This festival takes place in the motor racing Circuito de Jerez - Ángel Nieto… More →

This festival celebrated its 30th edition in 2024 and feature about 40 rockabilly, blues, surf, and boogie-woogie bands from Europe, and USA. the festival took place in several venues in… More →

Fuengirola has some particularly interesting festivals: April: The International Fair : “La Feria de los Pueblos”. This is a wonderful fair, which is held in the main fairground of Fuengirola (… More →

The seventh edition of the grass roots Pueblos Blancos Music Festival returns to the Serrania de Ronda Thursday 25th through Sunday 28th July 2024.

More information

Hopefully this overall guide has been a help in planning your trip or in understanding the many varied festivals of the the region. For more dates try our events home page or look up an individual town in our destinations section.

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