Spain — Events
Feria de Artesania
December 15, 2011 - January 9, 2012
Popular festive craft fair promoting Spanish traditional artisanship, now in its 23rd year.
St Thomas Day
December 21, 2011
A great gastronomic feast in Bilbao. Traditional products from the region’s rural areas are displayed on more than 300 stalls, and everybody can buy or taste delicious dishes in a joyful atmosphere.
Nochevieja (New Year's Eve)
December 31, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Crowds gather to eat grapes and drink champagne.
Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Murcia
March 31, 2012 - April 7, 2012
Easter week is celebrated throughout most of Spain with religious processions, and the city of Murcia is no exception. In fact it is distinguished by several variations on the usual theme, including nocturnal processions and the custom of handing out sweets, boiled eggs and buns. Easter in Murcia has been described as an explosion of beauty, passion and Baroque. The night sky illuminated with candles and lanterns; the mingling scents of orange blossom and incense; the color and the music - all these things combine to create a very atmospheric effect.
International Week of Religious Music
March 31, 2012 - April 7, 2011
Cuenca is a spectacular city situated between two gorges. It has a monumental historic quarter, as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage site. Since 1962 the Cuenca Religious Music Week has enthralled audiences in a range of churches and concert venues throughout the town. As the fourth oldest music festival in Spain it has developed a distinctive personality through its highly specialized music, its geographical location and the rich heritage that surrounds it.
Easter Celebrations (Semana Santa)
April 1, 2012 - April 30, 2012
No fewer than 23 brotherhoods (Hermandades) contribute to the processions of Holy Week in Zaragoza. Between them, they put more than 15,000 members on the streets in loud drum parades - demonstrations of faith and fervor that draw crowds of 100,000 or more. The origins of the particular celebrations in Zaragoza go back to the religious orders of the 13th century. The climax being the Santo Entierro Procession on Good Friday.
International Music Festival
April 1, 2012 - September 30, 2012
Each year the village of Deia, perched over the Mediterranean on Mallorca’s mountainous north coast, presents a season of classical music. The festival began in the 1970s when a group of musicians gathered to perform concerts in Deia church. Guest artists of growing stature have been drawn to the festival ever since. Almost every musician of the Balearic Islands has performed here, and many performing artists have traveled from Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Munich, London, New York, Berlin, Athens and Moscow.
Temporada Taurina (bullfighting)
April 24, 2012 - October 8, 2012
Seville is the birthplace of flamenco and bullfighting – both known to be important cultural arts in Spain. Although bullfighting is a rather controversial subject these days, it is still very much alive in today’s world. To catch a match, the best time to do so is during the bullfighting season. It begins at the end of Semana Santa on the Resurrection Sunday and continues through to the Feria de Abril after which there are less frequent fights. The season only comes to an end in July although you can still catch some in September and October.
Festival Flamenco
May 1, 2012 - May 31, 2012
One of the nation’s best Flamenco dancing competitions, drawing competitors from all over the world. It is usually accompanied by classical guitar concerts.
San Isidro
May 15, 2012
The commemoration of Madrid’s patron saint, with a procession to the church of San Isidoro, open-air dance performances, theater productions,zarzuela, pop and rock concerts and sports competitions.
