Beyond Dawlish
Spain is definitely a country in its history that loves to celebrate, Spain’s festivals are a moving, unique, and highly traditional mix of dance and song and food and lavishness and fun. In Spain, a festival is bound to suit your agenda and will work its magic in your heart. Maybe culture, music or adventure. A Spain Visa gives you the opportunity to join in these amazing celebrations, and to experience the Spanish festivities first hand.
The country’s heritage and lively spirit are shown every year at each festival, with locals and guests joining in on unforgettable celebrations. Both throwing tomatoes at La Tomatina and watching the Las Fallas lights are experiences not to be passed by for anyone on a bucket list. The 10 best festivals in Spain ready to dance, feast and celebrate.
Here are the 10 Best Festivals in Spain You Should Experience
1. La Tomatina
La Tomatina is the ultimate thrill seeker festival held in Bunol every August. The streets become a red sea of thousands throwing overripe tomatoes, as it turns into a spectacle of thousands squashing tomatoes at one another. The festival takes but an hour, yet the fun and excitement hang around well after. La Tomatina is wild and an unforgettable experience filled with music, parades and parties leading up to the big event.
2. Running of the Bulls
The Running of the Bulls is one of Spain’s most famous festivals, and it is held in Pamplona every July. Participants go brave and run by four charging bulls inside the narrow street, turning this into an adrenaline pumping spectacle. Festival even if you don’t run, there is thrilling parades, traditional dances, and vibrant street parties. That’s a very special way to experience Spain’s bold and daring culture up close.
3. Las Fallas
Las Fallas in Valencia is a mesmerising festival of art, fire and tradition. In March, the city streets are filled with enormous, colorful sculptures (ninots) that are burned on the last night in a fiery spectacle. In addition, there are fireworks, parades and live music at the festival. One of the experiences you can’t miss if you love creativity and excitement is Las Fallas.
4. Feria de Abril
Feria de Abril in Seville is a week-long party for flamenco, music and lively fairgrounds. This festival, which is held two weeks after Easter, is a good reason to bring the city to life with beautifully decorated tents, traditional Spanish outfits, and passionate dance performances. It is full of delicious tapas, sherry and the locals and visitors gather to dance the night away. It’s the ideal spot to get into the festive spirit of Spain.
5. Semana Santa
Holy Week, Semana Santa, is one of Spain’s most important religious festivals. It is celebrated across the country during Easter, and the solemn processions, intricate floats, and traditional music are held. The best way to see the dramatic parades is in Seville and Malaga, where thousands of people take to the streets, a deeply moving display of faith. The festival is a spiritual and cultural amalgamation.
6. Carnival of Tenerife
Tenerife’s Carnival is one of the biggest and most brilliant carnivals in the world. In February the island explodes with extravagant parades, colorful costumes and non-stop dancing. Glamorous street parties and other carnations continue for days, but the true main event is the acquittal of the Queen during the night. Tenerife’s Carnival is a must if you love music, energy and dazzling outfits.
7. La Merce
La Merce is Barcelona’s celebration in honour of its patron saint every September. The festival also includes huge human towers (castellers), giant puppets plus awesome displays of firework. The Correfoc, a fire run with people dressed as devils dancing their way through the streets with fireworks, is one of the highlights. Barcelona is one of the best times to visit and to experience its unique traditions.
8. Festa Major de Gracie
During the Festa Major de Garcie, the streets of Barcelona’s Gracie district become a vibrant wonderland every August. The streets look like they got decorated locally to have an intricate theme and it brings a magical atmosphere to the place. There is also live music, food stalls and dance performances, and the festival is one of the most charming and lively festivals in Spain.
9. San Juan Festival
Spain’s biggest beach party is the San Juan Festival held on the summer solstice in June. Tourists and locals sit in the grass along the coasts and clear land around the coasts for bonfires, fireworks, and nearly all night long. The belief is that jumping over the bonfires brings good luck for the year to come. This festival gives you a night of unforgettable fun whether you’re in Barcelona, Valencia or Alicante.
10. El Colacho
El Colacho is one of Spain’s most unusual traditions and it happens in the village of Castrillo de Murcia. During this festival, men dressed as devils jump over newborn babies to cleanse them of evil spirits. The unique ritual in which this occurs dates back to the 1600s, mixing a religious belief with ‘folklore’. It may sound odd, but it is a cherished and long-standing tradition in Spain.
Conclusion
Spain’s festivals are a true representation of the country’s passion, creativity and love for celebration. Each of these festivals are unforgettable, either dancing at Feria de Abril, viewing the flames of Las Fallas or timthumb for first-hand experience of the thrill of the Running of the Bulls.
If you are all set for the experience of Spain’s vibrant culture and to participate in these fantastic celebrations, the first step is to apply for a Spain Visa for Indians. As there are so many festivals all year round, you can always have a reason to visit and experience Spain’s traditions first hand. It is time to pack your bags, cheer up your holiday spirit and ready to enjoy the holiday like never before.
