Spain is a fun, friendly, and lively place. The best way to experience the cheerfulness of local Spanish culture is through its cultural festivals that take place across various cities throughout the year. These festivals attract millions of people annually who wish to take part in the exciting traditions of Spain.
These festivals are all about noisy and colorful exhibitions that are bound to be unforgettable. They offer a variety of atmospheres from the madness of food fights to the soberness of religious parades- and everything in between!
Tid Bit: If you are unlucky and can’t go to the festivals in person, fret not! These festivals can be streamed right at home with a reliable internet connection like Cox. Simply reach out to Cox Servicio al Cliente(dedicated Spanish customer service) to enjoy seamless access to Spanish culture at your home. Well, here is a list of the greatest Spanish festivals that offer the best of its exotic culture.
- San Fermin- Pamplona Bull Run
San Fermin is the most well-known Spanish festival due to its famous bull run. It is also popular because of a famous book called “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway. This is a week-long festival that takes place annually in Naverre during early July, boasting a variety of activities.
Apart from the running of the bulls, these activities include Riau-Riau dancing, parades, music, and bullfights. It finally ends with the popular “Pobre de Mi” (Poor Me) song. San Fermin is held in honor of the city’s patron Saint Fermin, making it the perfect festival to dip yourself in the beauty of ancient Spanish culture.
- Jerez International Flamenco Festival
The famous Spanish city Andalusia is well-known for Flamenco. This traditional Spanish dance is the best representation of the Spanish culture. The best place to witness this romantic display of touching guitars and whirling skirts is the Flamenco festival in Jerez where spontaneous Flamenco performances will take your breath away.
Moreover, this festival takes place annually over a period of 2 weeks in the middle of February. It also includes classical Spanish concerts and ballet. The Flamenco Festival is the best place to attend to see the beauty of Spanish art.
- La Tomatina Tomato Fight
La Tomatina is the biggest and craziest food fight in the world! Every year, on the last Wednesday of August, thousands gather in the small town of Buñol to throw tomatoes at each other. People say the food fight started in 1945 when a fight broke out during the Giants and Big-Heads parade.
Above that, it was reported that the weapons were found where people sell fruits and vegetables. And that is how, years down the line, La Tomatina developed as a planned food fight. This festival is the best representation of the vibrancy of Spanish culture.
- Las Fallas
Las Fallas is the biggest gala that takes place in the middle of March in the city of Valencia. This festival is in honor of San José or Saint Joseph, marking it as another wonderful display of the rich Spanish culture. The word “Fallas” refers to the huge paper sculptures that are burnt at the end of the festival in massive bonfires.
These monuments are funny ways to show what is happening at cultural events. The bonfires themselves are an unbelievable sight to witness and are said to represent the historical welcoming of Spring.
- Carnival
Well, another one is the Carnival. These huge open-air parties take place annually in February or March in multiple cities across Spain. The Carnival takes place in the weeks leading up to the solemn Lent and Holy Week. It is a time to celebrate with music, elegant costumes, and dances.
Tourists are bound to enjoy the breathtaking “Arrival of the King” parade that concludes with the “Burial of the King.” Tenerife, Cadiz, and Sitges are some of the more popular hosts of this festival, offering the best time and place to let loose. The Sitges Carnival is especially popular for its inclusive environment.
- Batalla de Vino (Wine Battle)
The one festival that can compete with the craziness of La Tomatina is the Batalla de Vino, which takes place in Haro every June. Haro is located in the La Rioja region which produces the most famous wine in Spain. The spirited nature of the Spanish culture shows in soaking each other with wine until everything turns purple.
This wine battle takes place at the Chapel of San Felices de Bilibio, where people wear white and gather at the Cliffs of Bilibio. A rocket is fired to mark the beginning of the wine. And then the battle is followed by bullfights.
Wrapping up
From the burning vision of Flamenco to the breathtaking sight of massive bonfires, Spanish festivals are a treat for all the brains. No culture remembers its history the way the Spanish do. Don’t miss out on these festivals if you want to be swept off of your feet by the richness of Spanish culture.
