Fiestas & Celebrations — Life on the street

Spain celebrates more and more exuberantly than any other European country. Every village, every city has its fiesta — often several. It is estimated that there are 25,000 local festivals per year in Spain. Celebrating is not a leisure activity but an expression of identity.

The big festivals

• Las Fallas (Valencia, March): Huge satirical papier-mâché figures (Ninots) are set up throughout the city and burned in the Nit del Foc (Night of Fire) on March 19. Deafening firecrackers (Mascletà) at 2 PM on the Plaza del Ayuntamiento — the ground vibrates
• Semana Santa (Easter, everywhere, especially Sevilla): Processions with tons-heavy holy figures (Pasos), carried by penitent brotherhoods in pointed hoods (Nazarenos). In Sevilla, the processions run around the clock, the city is turned upside down
• Feria de Abril (Sevilla, April): A week of Flamenco, Sherry, horse-drawn carriages, and Sevillanas dance in the Casetas (festival tents). Women wear Flamenco dresses, men wear Traje Corto
• San Fermín (Pamplona, July): The infamous bull run — every morning at 8 AM, hundreds of (reckless) people run in front of six fighting bulls through the old town streets to the ring. Hemingway made it world-famous
• La Tomatina (Buñol near Valencia, August): The largest tomato fight in the world — 20,000 people throw 120 tons of overripe tomatoes at each other

Local Fiestas

Almost every village has its patron saint, whose feast day is celebrated with mass, procession, food, music, and usually fireworks. These local fiestas are more authentic than the big events — visitors are invited, wine is poured, and dancing ensues. Ask at the hotel or tourist information about the next fiesta!