My top 28 Granada
|
| Scroll down or just click on your chosen month. January February March April May June July August September October November December |
|
 |
One of the many Street Exhibitions in Granada
1st January
The first day of January and the beginning of a whole new year. Grapes, underwear and optimism are in full force on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Granada.
2nd January
The Reconquest Festival of Granada. This colourful festival is known locally as "El Día de la Toma" (the Day of Capture). It celebrates the day in 1492 when Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II won possession of the Palace of the Alhambra from King Boabdil, the last Sultan of Spain. The colourful procession celebrating this day passes from the Royal Chapel near the Cathedral and on to the Plaza de Magnolias where the Ayuntamiento (Civic Hall) is based.
5th and 6th January
The King's celebration in Granada has wonderful processions on the 5th January. As well as all the floats and exhibits, the three Holy Kings pass through the streets of Granada on their camels, throwing sweets and gifts into the crowds. The Ayuntamiento (Civic Hall) then hosts a grand finale on its high balcony so that everyone can see and enjoy the proceedings.
Children receive their Christmas presents on the 6th.
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
1st February and nearest Sunday
This is a fascinating festival which celebrates the feast day of San Cecilio, one of the important saints of Granada city. Join in - or watch - the pilgrimages to Abadía del Sacromonte (Sacromonte Abbey) where the Saint's remains are interred. After mass, you can also visit the catacombs beneath the Abbey to see the Holy White Stone. Tradition states that any woman who kisses the stone will be married within the year. Again, after mass everyone enjoys the celebration party where traditional foods and wines are available along with flamenco dancing. Many participants wear fancy dress costumes to add to the atmosphere.
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
Late March or early April
This is one of the most famous celebrations in Spain - Granada's Semana Santa (Easter Week) which commemorate Christ's Death and Rising. Celebrations last a full week. Granada is world famous for its many processions, penitentes and church services, and people come from the world over to watch and take part in the processions. Consequently accommodation needs to be booked well in advance.
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
|
 |
Early April
The Granada International Festival of Young Film makers takes place in early April. During this time there is a wide selection of short films available at cinemas and theatres throughout the city.
April or May
Several times each year everything is different because the Book Fair in Granada is here. Takes place on or near Puerta Real in the centre of the city. Plenty of books (mainly Spanish, but some English).
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
1st May
Fiesta del Trabajo (International Labour Day). A national holiday.
3rd May
Cruz de Mayo or the Festivals of Crosses, is another one of the most popular celebrations in Granada. This is a day of flamenco, flowers, music and singing. Celebrations go on throughout the city, but especially in the Albaicin, San Miguel Bajo, and in the Realejo area.
First two weeks of May
Granada's International Theatre Festival takes place now. Touring theatre groups perform at the Theatre of Isabel la Católica and the Alhambra Theatre.
26th May
The anniversary of Mariana Pineda, which celebrates the life of local heroine Mariana Pineda (1804 - 1831). She bravely fought in the uprising against King Ferdinand VII's regime.
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
May or June depending on when Easter occurs
The Corpus Christi fiesta in Granada is one of the best celebrated fiestas all over Spain. Celebrations include Bull fights, Processions, Exhibitions, Performances by Choirs and Orchestras and Dance groups.
Last two weeks of June
The celebrations of the Music and Dance Festival spread throughout the city via the bars and the streets. The programme is traditionally based on classical music, ballet and Spanish dancing but it also includes exhibitions, Flamenco and contemporary music, and so there is always plenty of choice for everyone.
24th June
The feast-day of Saint John the Baptist gives us the San Juan Festival. The celebrations in Granada centre around washing away the old and starting with the new. This is also the time of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, which marks the longest day of the year.
29th June
The Festival of the Albaicin is a religious festival held on St Peter's day. Calles and Plazas (streets and squares) are decorated. Parades, dancing, horses and carriages and music all add to the festivities. On the 29th everyone wears their traditional clothes to join in the procession to the chapel of San Miguel.
Go to top of the Granada Festivals page.
There are very few organised festivals and celebrations during July, which makes it a good month to chill out and enjoy the sun, tapas and pavement cafes.
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
|
 |
parts of Granada festivals
15th August
The Feast of the Assumption (La Asunción) is celebrated with a large procession through Granada honouring the Virgin Mary.
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
Last Sunday in August
This is the day of the Festival of the Patron Saint of Granada, The Virgen de Las Angustias (Our Lady of Sorrows). Celebrations include bullfights, processions and Dancing in the streets. The highlight is the main procession showing the flower laden float holding the Virgin, after which everyone enjoys the fun of the fair along with plenty of food to extend the air of happiness and enjoyment.
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
12th October
Most of the activity for the Fiesta of Pilar centres around the Plaza de Bib-Rambla near the Cathedral. This is where stalls and amusements are set out and adults and children of all ages are entertained, amused and fortified by delicious food and drink.
12th October
This is the Dia del Hispanidad (the Day of "Spanishness"). It is a holiday day with a large procession, going past the Royal Chapel next to the Cathedral where the Catholic Kings are laid, and then onwards through the streets of Granada.
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
1st November
Today is All Saint's Day (Todos los Santos) when we are encouraged to remember the dead whose feast days or names are not listed in the calendars. Most Granadinos will visit family cemeteries to pay respects to their loved ones who have passed away. The atmosphere can be cheerful and happy as well as sad, with children and adults taking part as a complete family.
Mid November
The Hocus Pocus Festival is a magical event which is held each November in Granada. There are workshops and demonstrations at various places in Granada.
Middle weeks in November
One of the longest established happenings of its kind in Europe is the International Granada Jazz Festival. It features over fifty separate concerts each November with celebrations and music at venues all over Granada and the Isabel La Católica Theatre and the Alhambra Theatre. If you enjoy jazz, this is "where it is at".
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
6th December
Today is Constitution Day (Dia de la Constitución) when we celebrate when Spain became a democracy in 1978. Look out for political statements.
8th December
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (La Inmaculada Concepción). With Granada being mainly Catholic, this is an important day in the city's calendar.
13th December
El Dia de Santa Lucia. This day marks the beginning of the Christmas period for many Granadinos. San Lucia is the patron Saint of Blindness, and so, no matter where we are, the day can be celebrated by lighting candles to help light the way forward.
25th December
Anyone coming to Christmas in Granada is definitely in for a treat. There is such a wide variety of activities and places of interest to enjoy.
28th December
The day of the Santos Inocentes. This is the Spanish equivalent of April Fool's Day... But beware! The Granadinos have a wicked sense of humour.
Go to Granada festival's top of page.
Remember, these are just some of the Granada festivals during the year. The truth is, practically any time you visit us, there will be something happening for you to enjoy.
But which one will be your favourite?
Related links
- Sixty four things that make Granada city breaks great
- Our Top Ten Places to Visit
- Tapas in Granada
- Guitars hand made in Granada
- Ski! It can be fun, fun and more fun
- Our top ten things to do
"Best of" pages....
- My top five Granada flamenco clubs
- Get more for your money If you have a property in Granada
- Semana Santa - Easter Week - in Granada
- Get relief for pain in your joints
- Constipation cure suitable for people on the go and on holiday
- Getting cheap flights to visit Granada or wherever you'd like to go
Granada is famous for many things:- tapas, flamenco and the Alhambra to just name three. But the cultural festivals and religious celebrations give the city a richness that can be savoured with pleasure.
If you're new to our blog, why not subscribe via the RSS feed. Just click on the "subscribe to The Granada Blog" link above left.
Let us know what you think. click on your blog comments.
Return to the bed breakfast Granada Blog Page.
To go to the top of this page click on Granada Festivals
To catch more information about Granada festivals subscribe to our newsletter.
To find out all about Granada go to Granada information
 |
Granada info
|
 |
For Amazon.co.uk
|
For Amazon.com
|
|
|
|
|
|