February Festivals in Spain
February in Spain may be a quieter month compared to the summer season, but it is still full of fascinating festivals and fiestas that attract visitors worldwide.
With mild weather, fewer crowds and unique cultural events, February is a great time to experience Spain's rich traditions and celebrations.
One of the most famous events in February is the Carnival, celebrated throughout the country with different customs and styles. In cities like Cadiz, Tenerife, and Sitges, Carnival takes on a more flamboyant and festive tone, with colourful parades, street parties, and fancy dress competitions. Meanwhile, in more rural areas, the Carnival is celebrated with traditional rituals, such as the "Jarramplas" in Piornal, where men dress in colourful costumes and hit themselves with turnips.
In Pamplona, the Taconera Fair offers a colourful display of flowers and plants, while in Barcelona, the city celebrates Santa Eulalia with music, dancing, and street performances.
Overall, February is a time for visitors to experience the diverse cultural offerings of Spain, from the raucous Carnival to the more solemn and traditional events. With fewer crowds and moderate weather, it's a great time to explore and enjoy the festivities of this vibrant country.
Popular February Festivals and Fiestas in Spain
Carnivals:
They are one the most significant festival events of the year and are held in several Spanish towns and cities, particularly in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Cadiz.
They commemorate the final days before Lent, which is a time of penance and fasting for Christians. The carnivals include exciting activities like parades and fancy dress.
The drag queens, comparsas (dancing troupes), murgas (satirical musical groups), and the selection of the carnival queen are some of the most well-known attractions.
In most cases, the carnivals begin on Ash Wednesday and end on Shrove Tuesday.
Las Bodas de Isabel Segura:
Is based on a historical event in Teruel from February 18–21.
It recreates the terrible tale of two young people who died for love in the 13th century and are known as the Lovers of Teruel.
The wedding of Isabel de Segura, who wed another man after concluding that her true love, Diego de Marcilla, had passed away, is re-enacted throughout the event.
The festival also features dining, dance, and music.
San Cecilio Festival:
This religious festival takes place on February 1st in Granada, in the province of Granada. It celebrates Saint Cecilius, the patron saint of Granada and one of the Seven Apostolic Men who brought Christianity to Spain.
The festival features a pilgrimage to the Sacromonte Abbey, where the relics of Saint Cecilius are kept.
The festival also includes music, dancing and gastronomy.
Gastro Festival Madrid:
This is a gastronomic festival that takes place from January 23rd to February 7th in Madrid, the capital city of Spain. It celebrates the culinary culture and diversity of Madrid and Spain.
The festival features activities such as food tastings, food pairings, food tours, and food exhibitions.
Fiesta de las Cuadrillas:
This is a folkloric festival held on January 26th in Barranda, in the province of Murcia.
It celebrates the traditional music and dance of this rural area, known as cuadrillas. The festival features performances by different groups of musicians and dancers, who compete for prizes and recognition.
The festival also includes workshops, exhibitions, and gastronomy.
Almond Festival:
This is a gastronomic festival held on February 7th in Tejeda, in the province of Las Palmas. It celebrates the almond blossom, which covers the landscape with pink and white flowers.
The Almond Festival features activities such as almond picking, almond cooking contests, almond tasting and almond exhibitions.
There is also plenty of music, dancing, and folklore activities.
San Valentín Festival:
This famed romantic festival is popular in Spain and takes place on February 14th in various towns and cities across Spain.
It celebrates love and friendship and is one of the most popular days for couples to express their feelings.
The festival usually involves exchanging gifts, such as flowers, chocolates, and cards; going out for a romantic dinner or a movie; or taking a trip to a special place.
San Cecilio Festival:
This is a religious festival that takes place on February 1st in Granada, in the province of Granada. It celebrates Saint Cecilius, the patron saint of Granada and one of the Seven Apostolic Men who brought Christianity to Spain.
The festival features a pilgrimage to the Sacromonte Abbey, where the relics of Saint Cecilius are kept. The festival also includes music, dancing, and local gastronomy.
The Festival of Santa Agueda:
This is a feminist festival that takes place on February 5th in various towns and villages across Spain, especially in Zamarramala, in the province of Segovia.
It celebrates Saint Agatha, the patron saint of women and breast cancer survivors.
The Santa Agueda Festival features activities such as electing a female mayor for the day, who has authority over men; wearing traditional costumes and carrying wooden sticks; and singing songs and chants.
Moors Versus Christians
This amazing festival can be seen in the town of Bocairante in the province of Valencia, which celebrates the annual Moors versus Christians festivities in honour of Saint Blas, the town's patron.
This is one of the oldest and most spectacular celebrations held in Spain.
You will be entertained by street bands, dancing, and amazing parades during the six days the festivities go on, not forgetting the deafening sound of gunpowder as it is fired from imitation muskets day and night.
One of the main highlights is the Entra, which has over 3.000 participants and a remarkable parade of floats.
You can also see the Moors Vs Christians battle reenactments in other towns around Valencia, including Alcoy, Villajoyosa, Vilena and El Campello.
Carnivals – Variable dates
The Cadiz and Tenerife Carnivals are Spain's main February festivals attractions. They herald the start of the carnival season, which offers some of the best celebrations anywhere in the world, easily rivalling those of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The best carnivals are in Tenerife and Cadiz, where the street parties are world-renowned. Colourful processions and extravagant costumes abound in many cities and usually commence on Ash Wednesday.
The Cadiz Carnival is arguably one of the most extravagant parties, lasting well over a week.
A giant paper-mache sardine is mourned as it makes its way along the Cadiz streets to its final resting place in what is known as the Burial of the Sardine.
If you plan to visit the Tenerife and Cadiz Carnivals, be careful when planning your trip. The local accommodation is usually booked well in advance.
Gastro Festival Madrid – Variable dates
The Gastro Festival in Madrid runs from around the third week of January to the first week of February. It is Madrid’s time of the year to celebrate Spain’s culinary culture.
Here is a chance to try out a vast range of local food in many participating bars and restaurants. Cocktail bars, gourmet shops, restaurants, museums, and art galleries are all incorporated into a city-wide gastronomic celebration.
Our favourite is the Degustatapas, a great way to try out as many tapas as you can eat for a one-off fixed price, around 3€. For that, you get a beer and one tapa.
Las Bodas de Isabel Segura - Teruel
This unique and fun festival starts on the third Thursday Friday in February and runs for three days.
The festival is based on the story of Don Diego's love for Isabel, which occurred in 1212, when mummified bodies were discovered in the San Pedro Church during restorations in 1555.
If you like medieval themes, this festival is for you. You can dress up in medieval costume, take part in the local medieval market, and enjoy the combats and re-enacted scenes of this famous local legend.
Sitges Carnival
Sitges – Catalonia is home to the colourful Sitges Carnivals held at the end of February.
This is a huge gay event parade and one of the most flamboyant in Spain. Wild parties start from Jueves Lardero (“Fatty Thursday”), with an enormous feast of local food and lots of parties.
There is a huge, fun-filled drag queen parade that works its way through the town on Sunday and Tuesday.
The Almond Festival La Palma – Beginning of February
Each year, at the beginning of February, when almonds are plentiful, the locals on the island of La Palma on Gran Canaria gather around the market squares to embrace the many virtues of this versatile nut and enjoy this unique festival celebrating the humble almond.
The fun includes participants competing to crush as many almonds as they can in 30 minutes. Participants and spectators alike are entertained by live music from local orchestras and bands.