Best July Festivals in Spain

 

San Fermines Festivals
San Fermines Festivals

July is a month of celebration and joy in Spain, with an abundance of festivals and fiestas taking place across the country.

From the running of the bulls in Pamplona to the colourful Feria de Julio in Valencia, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

This month is also known for its traditional patron saint celebrations, where towns and cities come alive with music, dance, and fireworks.

Along with these traditional events, there are also modern music festivals, such as the Bilbao BBK Live, which attracts international musicians and thousands of visitors.

Join us as we explore some of the most exciting festivals and fiestas held in Spain during July, including the San Fermines in Pamplona, the Moors Vs Christians reenactments in Alicante, the Cordoba guitar festival and the cider festival of Asturias.

July festival calendar

- San Fermín:

This famous festival takes place in Pamplona from July 6th to 14th. It features the running of the bulls, where brave participants run ahead of six bulls along a narrow route to the bullring.

- Moors and Christians:

This historical festival takes place in various towns and cities in Spain, especially in the Valencia region. It commemorates the battles between the Moors and the Christians during the Reconquista period.

- Santiago Apostol:

This religious festival celebrates Saint James, the patron saint of Spain and Galicia. It takes place on July 25th in Santiago de Compostela and other places related to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

The festival includes a mass, a procession, a folkloric dance called "La Danza de la Espada" and a spectacular firework display over the cathedral.

- Festival Internacional do Mundo Celta:

This cultural festival celebrates the Celtic heritage and music of Galicia and other regions of Europe. It takes place in Ortigueira from July 15th to 18th. It features concerts, workshops, exhibitions and a Celtic market.

- Cordoba Guitar Festival:

This musical festival showcases the art and culture of the guitar in Cordoba, a city with a rich guitar-making tradition. It takes place from July 8th to 18th. It features performances by renowned guitarists from different genres such as flamenco, classical, jazz and rock.

- Cider Festival:

This gastronomic festival celebrates cider production and consumption in Asturias, a region famous for its apple orchards and cider houses. It takes place right across Asturias, one in particular is in the charming village of Nava from July 9th to 11th. It features cider tasting, contests, workshops, music and dancing.

- International Jazz Festival:

This musical festival showcases the best of jazz music in Getxo, a coastal town near Bilbao. It takes place from July 30th to August 3rd. It features concerts by local and international jazz artists and bands, as well as jam sessions, workshops and competitions.

- Stilt Dancers:

This folkloric festival features dancers who perform on stilts in Anguiano, a village in the La Rioja region. It takes place on July 22nd. The dancers wear colourful costumes and bells and dance down a steep street to honour Mary Magdalene, the patron saint of the village.

- Song Festival:

This musical festival features singers who compete for prizes and recognition in Benidorm, a popular tourist resort on the Costa Blanca. It takes place from July 23rd to 25th.

- Antequera Fair:

This traditional fair celebrates the culture and history of Antequera, a town in Malaga province with a rich heritage of monuments and legends. It takes place from July 21st to the 25th.

The San Fermines Festival Pamplona

Bull Running Pamplona

One of the most well-known festivals in Spain and around the world is the San Fermines Festival, which takes place every year in Pamplona, Navarre.

Saint Fermin, the city's patron saint, is honoured during the festival. Thousands of people travel from all over the world to attend the San Fermines Festival, which takes place from July 6 to July 14.

The Running of the Bulls, a daily event in which bulls are let loose into the streets and runners attempt to outrun them, is the festival's most well-known feature.

This exciting but risky event has come to represent the San Fermines festival and draws lots of thrill-seekers.

The festival is also known for its traditional clothing, with men wearing white shirts and pants, red bandanas and sashes, and women wearing white dresses with red belts and scarves. The festival also features music, dancing, and parades, as well as fireworks displays and religious processions.

San Fermines is a beloved tradition in Spain, with many families and groups of friends attending together each year. It is a time of celebration and camaraderie, where people from all walks of life come together to enjoy the unique customs and culture of the festival.

Moors Vs Christians Festivals

Moors vs Christians Festival

The Moors ruled great swathes of Spain for almost 800 years and left an indelible legacy on the country when it comes to culture and gastronomy.

Many cities and towns hold amazing Moors Vs Christians festivals in July each year, some of the best held around Alicante in the Valencia region.

Stunning costumes, parades and mock battles are the centrepieces of these festivals.

One of the largest and best of these festivals is held in the town of Alcoy which is held in April, the second-best is held in Villajoyosa during July and is well worth a visit.

The Villajoyosa Moors Vs Christians Festival has been going on for over 250 years and is usually held during the last week of July.  Thousands of local residents participated in the reenactment of a historic battle that took place in 1538. Visitors are also treated to parades, marching bands and huge firewood displays.

Virgen del Carmen Festivities of Andalucia

Virgen del Carmen

The Festivals del Carmen, also known as the Virgen del Carmen festivals, are vibrant and traditional celebrations held in various coastal towns and villages in Andalucia, Spain.

These festivals honour the Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen and sailors.

For many, it is one of the summer highlights as it holds great cultural significance for many locals.

The Festivals del Carmen typically take place in July, generally on the 16th of July.

One of the most famous locations to experience these festivals is in the province of Malaga, particularly in the towns and villages of Mijas, Marbella, Torremolinos and Estepona.

During the festivals, beautifully adorned statues of the Virgen del Carmen are carried in a procession from the local church to the sea. The statue is then placed on a beautifully decorated boat and taken for a sail along the coastline, accompanied by a flotilla of fishing boats and pleasure crafts.

This incredible maritime procession is a sight to behold, with colourful banners, flowers, and traditional music filling the air.

The festivals also feature lively street parades, where locals and visitors alike gather to watch traditional dances, music performances, and cultural displays.

The streets come alive with the sound of flamenco music, the aroma of delicious local cuisine fills the air, and the atmosphere is electric with excitement and celebration.

One of the highlights of the Festivals del Carmen is the fireworks display that illuminates the night sky.

The fireworks symbolise the blessings and protection bestowed upon the fishermen and sailors by the Virgen del Carmen.

Although the Virgen del Carmen fiestas are traditionally popular in Andalucia, they are held in various forms in other parts of Spain as well including the Canary Islands.

International Music and Dance Festival in Granada – Variable dates

Every July Granada welcomes visitors to enjoy the city's cultural, historical and gastronomic delights.

Visitors are treated to the sounds of the local folklore music and dance while at the same time enjoying the beautiful environment of Granada.

This fused combination of great music and historical ambience has made the International Music and Dance Festival in Granada one of the largest of its kind in Spain.

Cordoba’s Guitar Festival – Variable dates

Flamenco Guitar

If you love music the Cordoba Guitar Festival is a must-visit for you, held in Cordoba for the past 33 years it features a large selection of Flamenco artists, ancient, modern and jazz musicians, dancers and groups.

Shows take place all over the city including such historic and illustrious venues including the Grand Theatre, the Castle of the Christian Monarchs, Plaza Capuchinos, the Corredera Square, the Royal Stables, the Congress Palace, the Potro Inn or the Plaza de Tierra Andaluza.

The Cordoba guitar festival is one of the cultural highlights of the year in Cordoba becoming increasingly popular in the last 10 years.

The Stilt Dancers - Rioja

The Danza de Los Zancos ( Stilt Dancers ) festival is held from the 21st to the 23rd of July each year in the town of Anguiano in the region of Rioja, northern Spain.

The highlight of the festival is seeing eight local young men descending the steep cobbled streets of the town on 50cm high stilts whilst spinning around.

This curious festival is held twice a year, in July and at the end of September.

Cider Festival Asturias

Cider from Asturias
Cider from Asturias

The region of Asturias in Northern Spain is not only a green and picturesque region, but it is also the home of that renowned apple drink, Cider.

One of the best cider festivals is held in the town of Nava, Asturias during the second week of July.

Visitors to the festival enjoy folkloric music, dance, bagpipers and live music during the small hours.

This is a perfect place to learn everything there is to know about Cider,  there is a contest to find the best pourers which is great fun to watch.

International Jazz Festival at Getxo – Variable dates in late July

Jazz Festival

The Biscayan town of Getxo hosts numerous concerts during July. Here Jazz lovers from all over the world congregate in the town to enjoy live music.

Getxo's town centre gets converted into staging areas to host numerous concerts as well as many festival competitions.

The International Jazz Festival in Getxo hosts some of the top jazz artists be sure to check the schedule as there are many concerts on offer throughout the month.

Best Festivals in Spain - Month by Month

National Holidays in Spain

Jan 1st -  New Years Day - Ano Nuevo
Jan 6th - 12th night, The Three Kings  - Dia de los Reyes
Mar 19th - Fathers Day - San Jose
Variable - Good Friday - Viernes Santo
May 1st - Labour Day - Dia del Trabajador
Aug 15th -  Assumption - Dia del Asuncion
Oct 12th - Spanish National Day - Dia de la Hispanidad
Nov 1st -  All Saints Day - Todos los Santos
Dec 6th -  Constitution Day - Dia de la Constitucion<
Dec 8th -  Immaculate Conception - Imaculada Concepcion
Dec 25th - Christmas Day - Navidad

 

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