No nation on earth is quite as good at enjoying itself
as Spain. It has been said that because so many fiestas are held the
length and breadth of the country, even if you could attend more than
one a day, you would not be able to visit them all in a single lifetime.
Fiestas are regarded as a crucial part of the Spanish way of life, and
the Province of Granada, in the heart of Andalucía, is no stranger to
art of celebrating. Every town and village within the province gives at
least a couple of days a year over to partying, with many of the
smaller fiestas being held in honour of the patron saint of the
particular municipality. Many of the larger cities are divided into
areas known as ‘barrios’, and in somewhere such as Granada, each barrio
will organise its own fiesta.
As well as these community celebrations, each year Spain lays host to
some really major events; probably the most famous being the Running of
the Bulls at Pamplona, the fireworks of Las Fallas in Valencia, the
Feria of Málaga, and of course, the amazing, coordinated religious
processions of Semana Santa (Holy Week), the most notable of which are
held in Sevilla.
The town of Buñol in Valencia is host to arguably the most bizarre of
all festivals; the annual ‘Tomatina’ is a fiesta centred around an hour
long orgy of tomato throwing, and is held every year on the last
Wednesday in August.
The sheer vibrancy, sights, sounds and colour associated with the
variety of events on offer countrywide make them spectacles not to be
missed.
Explore our Guide 2 Fiestas issue for villages celebrating their own local fiestas.
For notable events that are coming soon check out the Upcoming Events issue.
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