Thinking about moving to Spain? Make sure not to miss out on these celebrations during your time here! Spain is renowned for its lively and diverse holidays, where centuries-old traditions blend seamlessly with modern-day festivities. Spanish fiestas are an explosion of color, culture, and community spirit. Whether you're running with the bulls in Pamplona or witnessing the burning of the giant sculptures of Las Fallas in Valencia, Spanish holidays promise unforgettable experiences that showcase the country's deep-rooted passion for celebration.
Contents:
- San Isidro
- Las Fallas
- La Feria de Sevilla
- La Tomatina
- Carnaval de Canarias
- 1. San Isidro
- When: May 15th
- Where: Madrid City Center
- What: Madrid's largest and most iconic holiday that is celebrated every May in honor of the city's patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, the protector of farmers. The festivities include religious processions, traditional music, dancing the Chotis (Madrid traditional dance), and gatherings in Madrid’s parks, like the Pradera of San Isidro, where locals dress in traditional costumes (chulapos and chulapas). Visiting Madrid during the San Isidro festivities makes for an unforgettable and authentic experience of the Madrileño way of celebrating!
- 2. Las Fallas
- When: March 15th-19th
- Where: Valencia
- What: A fiery festival where giant floats (called "fallas") are set to flames on the last night of the celebration. The festival also includes parades, fireworks, and the offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary. Las Fallas is one of Spain’s most visited festivals with almost 3 million people attending each year!
- 3. La Feria de Sevilla
- When: Approximately 2 weeks after Easter (The dates change on a yearly basis)
- Where: Sevilla
- What: La Feria de Sevilla is perhaps the most well-known celebration throughout Spain. It is a lively fair where locals and visitors dress in traditional attire from Andalusia, dance flamenco, enjoy local food and drink, and participate in parades of horses and carriages. The fairground is filled with casetas (tents) where people gather for dancing and socializing. The typical drink of the Feria de Sevilla is Rebujito, a mixture of sherry and lemon-lime soda.
- 4. La Tomatina
- When: The Last Wednesday of August
- Where: Bruñol, Valencia
- What: A giant tomato fight where participants throw overripe tomatoes at each other in the streets of Buñol. This fun, messy celebration is another one of the most famous festivals in Spain. If you don’t mind getting messy, then the Tomatina is the perfect celebration for you!
- 5. Carnaval de Canarias
- When: The week leading up to Lent (February/March)
- Where: Tenerife (Canary Islands)
- What: Although Carnaval is celebrated all over Spain, the Canary Islands are most famous for their colorful celebrations during this time of the year, especially in Tenerife. This celebration is filled with costumes, parades, music, and dancing, similar to the famous carnivals in Brazil or Venice. Tenerife’s carnival is particularly renowned for its massive scale and energy.
If you are planning to check out these unforgettable celebrations during your long-term stay in Spain, making sure your visa is acceptable is essential! Our expat visa services can help you acquire your visa to stay in Spain for over 90 days and even get your documents translated and apostilled! Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about our visa services.