GRANADA - FIESTAS

January

Fiesta de la Reconquista (Festival of the Conquest of Granada)
Early January, a celebration of the Catholic monarchs, with a number of parades and a colorful banner raised outside the historic city hall.

February

Carnaval
Early February, a party atmosphere fills Granada during the February carnival season, with an enormous range of street entertainment, musicians, dancing and carnival processions. Many of the main festivities are held in and around the many public plazas.

San Cecilio Fiesta
Early February, held just before lent, with week-long celebrations based around the Sacromonte district, Granada`s gypsy quarter, including Flamenco dancing, fancy dress and costumed processions.

March

International Tango Festival
Early March, with dance competitions and demonstrations held at many venues in central Granada, including the Isabel la Catlica Theatre and the Auditorio Manuel de Falla concert hall.

April

Granada International Festival of Young Filmmakers
Early April, many short films and screenings at cinemas and theatres throughout the city. Other festival highlights include workshops and awards.

Semana Santa (Holy Week)
There are numerous unforgettable moments in the Easter celebrations in Granada, in which 32 cofradías (brotherhoods) participate. Unique settings such as the Albayzín quarter, the Alhambra and the Sacromonte hills fill with processions, religious figures and carvings, and the cofradía members. On the night of Holy Wednesday it is the turn of the Cristo de los Gitanos, a spectacular and moving sight thanks to the huge fires lit in the caves and homes of Sacromonte. On Holy Thursday the procession of the Cristo de Silencio takes place, the silence broken only by the sound of the drums. This is when the Albayzín fills with color and a special aroma. Meanwhile, at nightfall on Good Friday the oldest cofradía of all, the Soledad de San Jerónimo, takes to the streets in a thrilling procession in which real people represent historical figures from the Bible. Finally, Easter week in Granada culminates on Easter Sunday with the procession of the facundillos in which children carry ceramic lanterns (facundillos) that jingle as they walk along.


May

Dia de la Cruz (Day of the Cross)
May 3rd, a major festival where public plazas, houses, patios and balconies across Granada are filled with crosses covered in flowers (Cruces de Mayo), together with a range of festivities, such as horse-riding and `sevillanas` (traditional Andalucian dancing).

Granada`s International Theater Festival
Early-May, attracting many of the best plays and touring theatre groups at the time, for a number of performances during the first two weeks of the month, at both the Isabel La Católica Theatre and the Alhambra Theatre, with a program of events readily available.

Aniversario de Mariana Pineda
Late May, celebrating the life and contributions of local heroine Mariana de Pineda (1804 - 1831), who was involved in a number of liberal causes in the area.

June

Feria de Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi Fair)
Early June, lasting just over one week with fairgrounds, food and drink, competitions, concerts and dancing, bullfights, market stalls, parties, and crowds of both participants and spectators. One of Granada`s most popular festivals, the Feria de Corpus Christi is always well attended, with visitors to the city welcomed, and many locals wearing typical Andalusian dress and riding decorated horse and carts. Many similar events are held at nearby towns and cities.

International Festival of Music and Dance
Late June, one of Europe`s most significant festivals of its kind, with concerts, orchestras, dances and traditional Flamenco dancing performed at venues including Granada`s Alhambra Palace, the Generalife Gardens and Carlos V Palace. Other highlights include opera concerts and many outdoor events, where the surrounding views can also be enjoyed.

Fiesta del Albayzin (Festival of the Albaicin)
Late June / early July, a religious festival based around the Hermitage of San Miguel and St. Peter`s Day on June 29th, with decorated streets, outdoor dancing events, horse and carriages, religious parades and music, lasting just over two weeks.

September

Fiesta de Nuestra Senora de las Angustias
Late September, celebrating the city`s Patron Saint, La Virgen de las Angustias, with a range of outdoor activities, including fairs, bullfights, markets, open-air dancing, and a procession carrying a religious statue of the saint.

October

International Jazz Festival
Late October, an extremely popular festival attracting many notable jazz musicians and performers from around the world, with concerts, films and seminars throughout November, centerd around the Isabel La Católica Theatre and the Alhambra Theatre.

November

Hocus Pocus Festival
Mid-November, a magical event held every year in Granada, with a number of magic shows known as `Hocus Nights`, together with demonstrations and workshops at several central venues.

December

New Year`s Eve - December 31st
With festivities, parties and fireworks throughout the city as the forthcoming year is celebrated.