Think Spain is just about tapas and siestas? Well, think again. Festivals in Spain are where the country truly comes alive. Cities & towns are bursting with colour. Centuries-old Spanish traditions come alive. And chaos ensues in the best way possible. From fiery pyrotechnics to wild food fights, these popular festivals put street parties and carnival celebrations on a whole new level. So if you’re looking to plan your trip any time soon, here’s a quick guide to Spain’s best festivals to get your started.
1. La Tomatina, Buñol – August
Get ready for the ultimate food fight at La Tomatina, the world’s messiest and most famous tomato battle. Thousands gather in Buñol to pelt (yes, literally) each other with overripe tomatoes in a mad, red frenzy. This isn’t just a festival. It’s a sticky, joyous explosion of Spanish spirit and a street party like no other.
2. Las Fallas, Valencia – March
Las Fallas is where art meets anarchy in a fiery celebration of patron saints and satire. Giant sculptures crafted with incredible detail fill Valencia’s streets before being spectacularly set ablaze. It’s one of Spain’s most popular festivals, mixing traditional costumes, firework displays, and that unmistakable carnival celebration vibe.
3. Semana Santa – March/April
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is Spain’s deeply spiritual festival with haunting processions, candlelit streets, and centuries-old brotherhoods. Some of the best cities to visit in Spain like Seville, Málaga, and Granada offer some of the most moving Semana Santa Holy Week experiences, blending spirituality with spectacular ritual. It’s truly unforgettable.
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4. Feria de Abril, Seville – April
Seville’s Feria de Abril is flamenco fever and fiesta magic rolled into one. Expect stunning traditional costumes, horse parades, and endless casetas (small houses or huts) where locals dance until dawn. This festival is a highlight of Spain traditions, embodying the soul of Andalusia (autonomous community of Spain) through passionate music and vibrant street parties.
5. La Mercè, Barcelona – September
Barcelona’s biggest festival, La Mercè, is a vibrant mix of creativity and culture. Locals gather to form mind-blowing human towers, and watch 3D projection shows and fire-spitting dragons (not the real ones unfortunately) light up the sky. This is a festival where Catalan traditions meet modern spectacle, perfectly showcasing Spain’s knack for unforgettable street parties.
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6. Aste Nagusia, Bilbao – August
Aste Nagusia (AKA “The Great Week”) is Bilbao’s biggest blowout. Imagine nine days of non-stop culture, concerts, fireworks, and fiestas. The city comes alive with pop-up stages, street performers, and locals rocking blue scarves in honour of their patron saint. Expect giant puppet parades, open-air concerts, and enough pintxos to keep you fuelled ’til dawn. Wanna experience the heart of the Basque Country in the Iberian Peninsula? This is the festival for you.
7. Haro Wine Festival, La Rioja – June
Forget tomatoes – Haro’s wine festival turns food fights into a splashy, boozy wine battle. Picture locals (and you on your Spain trip) drenching each other with red wine before heading to BBQs, tapas and dance floors. It’s a deliciously messy celebration of La Rioja’s vineyards and a unique twist on Spain’s popular festivals. It looks a lil’ bit like Holi – India’s festival of colours.
8. Romería del Rocío, Andalusia – May/June
Romería del Rocío is where faith meets fiesta in full technicolour. Every spring, thousands of pilgrims (dressed in flowing flamenco dresses and wide-brimmed hats) journey across the sun-drenched Andalusian countryside in horse-drawn carriages and on foot. And of course, in classic Spanish fashion – this religious pilgrimage quickly turns into a rolling party, with spontaneous singing, rhythmic clapping, shared meals, and late-night dancing around campfires.
9. Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife – February
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is Spain’s answer to Rio – loud, bold, and unapologetically fabulous. Held in the Canary Islands every February, this Spanish festival explodes with dazzling costumes, over-the-top parades, and street parties that go until sunrise. You’ll dive into the chaos with the locals, dance to Latin beats and celebrate freedom, creativity, and pure joy. It’s one of the most famous carnivals in Spain and an unmissable experience for anyone who loves their festivals.
Which festivals are famous in Spain?
Oh, just a casual calendar packed with iconic chaos. Think La Tomatina, Las Fallas, Feria de Abril, and Semana Santa/Culture, fire, food fights – Spain doesn’t do boring.
What is Spain’s national festival?
That’d be Fiesta Nacional de España, held on 12 October every year. It’s got military parades, Spanish pride, and a whole lot of flag-waving.
What is the most famous carnival in Spain?
Hands down, Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife – a festival that can give Rio a run for its feathers. Insane costumes, parades, and non-stop dancing. This festival turns the Canary Islands into one giant disco-ball dream.
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When is the Tomato Festival in Spain?
La Tomatina explodes into juicy madness on the last Wednesday of August in Buñol. It’s basically the messiest, most satisfying Spain festival you’ll ever attend. BYO goggles and tomato-chucking arm strength. It’s a thing you just have to do in Spain if you’re ever in Buñol at the right time.
How many festivals are there in Spain?
Too many to count without a spreadsheet. Spain basically invented the “any excuse for a fiesta” lifestyle. From major religious holidays to tiny town traditions, there’s a Spain festival happening somewhere nearly every week.
