Spain Events and Festivals

10/06/2007 - 10/14/2007Pilar Festival

The Pilar Festival is held each October and is the largest festival in the city's calendar attracting thousands of visitors each year. Officially, the festival is in honour of the city's patroness, the Virgin of the Pilar, but in reality, it is just a good excuse for a big party. The main events of the festival include the official opening of the fiesta, ceremonies offering flowers and harvest produce to the Virgin, live music and dancing, theatre performances, boat trips and scenic balloon flights. Another popular aspect of the festival is the procession of the Giants and Bigheads - large papier-mache figures - that are an essential part of the modern day celebrations. The "pillar" comes from the Column of Jasper where the Virgin Mary apparently appeared to St James and is an important site for religious pilgrims. Although officially a religious holiday, the festival takes on a distinctly hedonistic feel as the whole city turns out for the party. Festivities last for several days with the main procession taking place on 12 October. The first officially known festival was celebrated from 12-20 October, 1723