May Festivals in Spain

Popular May Festivals

Fiesta de Los Patios:

This floral festival takes place in the first half of May in Cordoba. It consists of opening the courtyards or patios of private houses to the public and decorating them with flowers, plants and fountains.

The patios compete for prizes based on their beauty and originality. The festival also includes concerts, exhibitions and gastronomy.

San Isidro:

This cultural festival takes place on May 15th in Madrid, Spain. It celebrates Saint Isidro, the patron saint of Madrid.

The San Isidro festival features a pilgrimage to the saint's chapel, music, dancing and bullfighting.

The festival is also an occasion to wear the traditional costume of Madrid, called chulapo or chulapa.

Jerez Horse Fair:

This equestrian festival, which dates back to 1491, takes place in the first week of May in Jerez de la Frontera, in the province of Cadiz.

It celebrates Jerez's horse culture and traditions with a parade of horses, carriages and riders. The festival also features street parties, music, dancing and sherry tasting.

Girona Flower Festival:

This floral festival takes place in the second week of May in Girona, in the province of Girona.

The festival transforms the city into a colourful garden with large displays of blooming flowers in every space around the streets and buildings.

There are also concerts, workshops and competitions.

Pilgrimage of El Rocío:

This religious festival takes place on Pentecost Sunday (50 days after Easter) in El Rocío, in the province of Huelva.

It attracts millions of pilgrims who venerate the Virgin of El Rocío, also known as La Blanca Paloma (The White Dove).

The pilgrims travel from different parts of Spain on foot, horseback, or carriage. The festival features processions, prayers, songs, and dances.

Caballos del Vino:

This historical festival takes place on May 2nd in Caravaca de la Cruz, in the province of Murcia.

The festival commemorates an event in 1232 when a group of knights brought wine to the besieged city using horses.

Here, the locals dress up horses with elaborate embroideries and race them up a steep hill to the castle.

There are also parades, music and fireworks.

WOMAD Festival:

This is a music festival that takes place in mid-May in Caceres.

It stands for World of Music, Arts and Dance and features artists from different countries and cultures.

The festival also includes workshops, exhibitions and children's activities.

Noche en Blanco:

This cultural festival takes place on a Saturday night in mid-May in the province of Málaga. It opens museums, galleries and cultural venues for free until dawn.

The Noche en Blanco festival also includes concerts, performances and street art.

Maios Fiesta:

This is a folkloric festival that takes place on May 1st in Ourense. Participants create sculptures with flowers and plants representing different characters or scenes.

The sculptures, called mains, are displayed in public squares or streets. The festival also includes music, dancing, and gastronomy.

San Jorge:

This cultural festival takes place on April 23rd (but it can extend into May) in various regions of Spain, such as Aragon, Catalonia and Valencia. It celebrates Saint George, the patron saint of these regions, and World Book Day.

The festival features book fairs, rose stalls, parades and concerts. In Catalonia, exchanging books and roses as gifts is customary on this day.

Snail Festival:

This is a gastronomic festival that takes place in late May in Lleida. It celebrates the snail as a delicacy and a symbol of the city.

The festival features a large snail market, where visitors can buy and taste different varieties of snails cooked in various ways.

The Snail Festival also includes music, dancing and competitions.

Primavera Sound:

This music festival, which takes place in late May or early June in Barcelona, features a wide range of musical genres and artists from around the world.

The festival is held in various venues across the city, such as the Parc del Fòrum, the Auditori del Fòrum and the Sala Apolo.

Dos de Mayo:

This historical festival takes place on May 2nd in Mostoles, in the province of Madrid. It commemorates the uprising of the people of Madrid against the French occupation in 1808.

The festival features a re-enactment of the proclamation of war by the mayors of Móstoles, as well as parades, concerts and fireworks.

Feria de Cordoba:

This festive fair takes place in late May or early June in Cordoba. It resembles the Seville April Fair but has a more relaxed and familiar atmosphere.

The Cordoba fair features food stalls, music, dancing and bullfighting. The fairgrounds are located near the Guadalquivir River and are illuminated by thousands of lights at night.

San Isidro Festival Madrid

San Isidro is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in Spain, particularly in Madrid.

The festival is held in honour of Saint Isidore, the patron saint of farmers, and is celebrated every year on May 15th. It spans several days and includes religious processions, traditional dances, music performances, and lots of food and drinks.

During the festival, the streets of Madrid come alive with colours, lights, and a festive atmosphere. People dress up in traditional Spanish attire, and the city is filled with the sounds of Spanish folk music and lively chatter.

The chotis dance, a traditional dance performed by couples dressed traditionally, is one of the highlights of the San Isidro festival. A bandoneon and an accordion play music to accompany the dance.

Additionally, the festival is well known for its delectable cuisine, especially the churros and chocolate that are typical snacks served during the celebrations. The festival is a significant cultural event in Spain because it draws both locals and tourists.

People from all walks of life come together at the San Isidro festival to celebrate their heritage and honour Saint Isidore, the patron saint of farmers.

Jerez Horse Fair

The Jerez Horse Fair, or Feria del Caballo, is a week-long celebration in the Andalusian city of Jerez de la Frontera.

Every year in May, thousands of people travel from all over the world to attend the festival.

The fair features the Andalusian horse, renowned for its beauty and agility. The festival includes equestrian competitions, parades, performances, live music, flamenco dancing, regional cuisine and beverages.

Along with the fair, there is a sizable market where locals and visitors can buy various products, such as clothing, jewellery, and crafts.

The horse-drawn carriage parade, where you can admire the elegance of the horses and carriages, is one of the fair's main attractions.

The Jerez Horse Fair has been around since the fifteenth century. It is one of Spain's most prestigious and historic equestrian competitions.

The fair honours the Andalusian horse and the region's rich culture and traditions. So, if you are interested in horses, flamenco, or Spanish culture, you should add this fantastic festival to your following holiday itinerary.

Cordoba Courtyard Festival – Fiesta de los Patios

The courtyards festival is held during the first two weeks of May, and locals open their colourful courtyards and patios to visitors.

These are no ordinary courtyards, though, as these are full of late spring flowers offering an explosion of colours and smells.

The patios and courtyards can be found all around the city, although the main areas to visit include the Alcazar Viejo district, between the Alcázar and the parish of San Basilio. They are also close to the Church of San Lorenzo: La Magdalena, the Mosque-Cathedral and the old Jewish quarter.

The town hall organises competitions for the best courtyards dating back to 1921.

Girona Flower Festival

Held during the second week in May in the Catalonian village of  Girona, around a two-hour drive from Barcelona.  The town comes into bloom during the Girona Flower Festival.

This age-old tradition involves large displays of blooming flowers in every space around the streets and buildings in the town’s old section. As far as Spanish festivals go, this has to be the sweetest-smelling of them all.

Fiesta Cruz de Mayo

Fiesta de la Cruz de Mayo, also known as the May Cross Festival, is an annual celebration in Cordoba.

This event, which takes place on May 3rd and 4th, is a unique opportunity to experience the city's culture and traditions.

The celebration is centred around the cross, which is adorned with flowers and placed in a prominent location for all to see.

People of all ages gather to enjoy traditional food, music, and dance performances during the festival. The streets are filled with colourful decorations and a festive and lively atmosphere.

You can see the traditional Andalusian dress and marvel at the intricate flower arrangements that adorn the city's courtyards.

One of the festival's highlights is the competition for the best-decorated cross, with locals competing to create the most stunning and creative design.

The event is a testament to the city's religious and cultural history and a must-see if you´re interested in experiencing the rich traditions of Andalucia.

White Night Malaga (Noche en Blanca)

Malaga always warmly welcomes cultural festivities, and the Noche en Blanca festival is no exception.

Over 160 activities, including music, visual arts, street arts, and extraordinary visits, are planned throughout the city. Past events have received as many as 200,000 visitors, and it is believed this number will only grow in the coming years.

A visit to the Costa del Sol in May is never complete without indulging in the freebies its capital, Malaga, offers.

Snail Festival Catalonia

If you enjoy living life in the slow lane, you will love this.  Spain, and especially Catalonia, consider snails to be a delicacy. The snail festival is, therefore, the region’s way of celebrating one of Catalonia's culinary delights.

Indulging in these slippery critters along with a few glasses of sherry is a unique way to embrace the local culture. The snail festival is normally held from May 20th to 22nd.