14 Unique and Amazing Holidays in Spain
Celebrating holidays in Spain is guaranteed fun! Spain is a fascinating country full of holidays, delicious food, interesting people, beautiful architecture, and much more! Every city and village has its own unique celebrations.
Today, we’re focusing on Spanish holidays so you can start planning your trip—or just learn for the sake of learning.
Read on to discover 14 amazing holidays in Spain that you won’t want to miss. Use this information to practice your Spanish-speaking skills and deepen your understanding of Spanish culture!
14 Outstanding Spanish Holidays
Spain has much to offer travelers, from delicious food and drinks to colorful dances and celebrations. Spaniards enjoy life and celebrate it. Check out this curated list of the best-known holidays in Spain!
1. Holy Week (Semana Santa)
Holy Week is one of the most anticipated holidays in Spain. It’s a full week full of Easter processions and religious devotion. Even if you aren’t religious, this event is worth witnessing at least once. The most spectacular festivities during Semana Santa take place in Seville and in Málaga.
This is an excellent Spanish holiday for the culture seekers! Learn more about Semana Santa in Spain.
2. Carnival
This is a Spanish holiday that is colorful and rhythmic. Carnaval is an extravagant party throughout Spain, and the most famous ones take place in Cadiz and Tenerife.
The event attracts people from all over the world. Some cities in Spain dedicate the whole month of February to the carnival celebrations. They have contests, and people dance and feast. This holiday in Spain transforms cities into a nonstop music, fun, and energy. Don’t miss out on this unique fiesta. Learn more about Carnival.
3. The Fallas of Valencia
An explosive party in Valencia takes place around the middle of March. The Fallas is one of the most famous holidays in Spain. UNESCO considers it to be an event of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This holiday in Spain lasts for a week with giant and colorful statues and figures that fill the streets. They tend to be satirical, political, or related to pop culture and entertainment.
Enjoy grand spectacles by day and nighttime shows with fireworks and music. The highlight is the last night of the festival when the statues are burnt during an impressive light show.
Walking the Fallas route is an excellent way to get to know the city of Valencia. Find out more about The Fallas here.
4. La Tomatina
La Tomatina in Buñol might be the most famous holiday in Spain. For more than 70 years, it’s been celebrated on the last Wednesday of August. Thousands gather to throw tomatoes at each other!
Up to 20,000 people attend this famous Spanish festival. Tickets sell out fast, so make sure to get yours well in advance if you plan to go. Here’s more on La Tomatina.
5. Festival de Los Patios in Cordoba
Festival de Los Patios in Cordoba is a holiday in Spain that’s celebrated in early May. Owners of the most beautiful patios open their doors to the public on this holiday.
The vivid festival draws thousands of tourists. It’s ideal for plant lovers and foodies. This Spanish holiday is perfect for culture seekers and romantic getaways. Here’s more on El Festival de Los Patios.
6. Saint John’s Eve
Saint John’s Eve is a special Spanish holiday celebrated on June 23. It marks the beginning of summer. It takes place at the beach with bonfires and fireworks and involves superstitions and old customs. Many people jump over fires and others jump into the waves at midnight for good luck.
During this celebration, sardines are cooked with the ashes of the bonfires. In Barcelona and Valencia, everyone will be looking for the best view of the bonfires at midnight. Here’s more on Saint John’s Eve.
7. Boloencierro in Mataelpino, Madrid
This village decided to replace the traditional running with bulls with boloencierro where the protagonist is a big plastic ball. They all run as fast as they can trying to escape this giant ball that weighs more than 150 kg.
Children enjoy their own mini boloencierro with smaller and lighter balls that are painted in bright colors. This event is ideal for adrenaline seekers and groups of friends to enjoy. Here’s more on this unique Spanish holiday.
8. The Wine Battle of Haro
Yet another famous holiday in Spain happens just a few days later on June 29. Over 10,000 people wake up early in the morning to gather in the square of Haro for a wine battle.
They all dress in the typical clothes of La Rioja—a white shirt and trousers with a red neck handkerchief. After the battle begins, wine is thrown everywhere and the whole town is painted in red. It’s a holiday to spend with friends or your partner. Here’s more on The Wine Battle of Haro.
9. Semana Grande de Bilbao
The Great Week of Bilbao is for those who want to see another side of Spain. Bilbao is a thriving city with many unique events including this one.
In the middle of August, Bilbao prepares for its main event, la Semana Grande. It’s a nine-day festival with concerts, performances, fairs, and other forms of entertainment that takes place all over the city.
The closing ceremony on the last day is the main event with parades and floats. This holiday in Spain is perfect for families. Here’s more on The Semana Grande of Bilbao.
10. The April Fair of Seville
The Feria de Abril starts with a traditional lighting of the entrance at midnight. For a whole week, the city is full of colors, entertainment, and flamenco.
It’s the best time of the year to explore Seville because the city is full of the authentic Spanish, festive atmosphere. If you go out at night, you’ll enjoy performances and dances. It’s ideal for groups of friends and culture lovers. Here’s more on The April Fair of Seville.
11. Feria del Caballo in Jerez
The Feria del Caballo in Jerez is a horse fair. Expect joyous celebrations, Andalusian gastronomy, flamenco performances, and a whole lot of horses!
This holiday in Spain happens in May and is considered a feast for the senses. Feast your eyes on parades with horses and shop at huge markets selling all sorts of goods.
Everyone dresses up; women wear typical flamenco dresses and men wear
trajes cortos. The most important thing about this Spanish holiday is to go out and enjoy the Spanish cultures and traditions as much as you can. It is ideal for culture lovers. Here’s more on The Feria del Caballo.
12. August Fair in Malaga
This fair in Málaga involves an entire week full of celebration, fun activities, and food in the heart of the Costa del Sol (Sun Coast). It’s a great summer fair to attend with family or friends.
The streets are decorated with flowers in this mid-August event, and it has a huge market where people can buy souvenirs and delicious street food. Many foodies love to come to this fair and taste dishes from Malaga.
13. Fiesta Mayor de Gracia
La Fiesta Mayor de Gracia in Barcelona is another summer celebration. Gracia is a neighborhood in Barcelona that transforms during these festivities. Residents decorate their streets and hold a competition to choose the best and most stunning ensemble.
The fiesta also features street acrobats, exhibitions, parades, and markets. It’s held every year in the squares of Gracia. Here’s more on The Fiesta Mayor.
14. The Night of San Juan
This beach party is held every year in San Juan on June 23 in Andalucia where the weather is warm and parties stretch into the night. This is an ancient Pagan festival that has now become legendary for its music, dance, and fun!
The night is all about fire and water. It is wonderful for people of all ages. People congregate to build small fires and enjoy the shortest night of the year together. The tradition is to jump over the fire three times to be cleansed and purified. Here’s more on The Night of San Juan.
Are You Ready for a Holiday in Spain?
Spain has festivals and holidays for different preferences and ages, from religious celebrations to simply having fun and throwing food. Which one of these holidays in Spain caught your attention? No matter which Spanish holiday you prefer, make sure to practice your Spanish-speaking skills before you go. To improve your Spanish, sign up for a free class at Homeschool Spanish Academy to have a real-life conversation with a professional teacher from Guatemala!
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