Festivals and Holidays in Granada

Festivals and Holidays

Your time in Granada is sure to be exciting with the host of activities that await you but if your lucky enough to be around on the right day then you can get to experience first hand some of the captivating festivals that give Granada their unique sense of character that the locals really value. So take a look below and see whats going on when your around.

• January
  Festival of the Conquest of Granada honoring the Catholic Monarchs. In 1491 they entered the Alhambra and power shifted from the Moors to the Catholic Spanish kingdom.

• February
  San Cecilio Fiesta, a week long set of celebrations. Granada's patron saint has its turn in the spotlight as the city celebrates with a mass, gastronomy competitions and many other activities.

• March
  Festival Internacional de Jovenes Realizadores, a short film festival that concentrates on bringing new talent to the table. Awards are given for categories such as Best Original Music and Best Script and many others. A great experience for all those interested in different forms of media art!

• March/April
  Semana Santa, or Holy Week. A serious yet celebratory festival as many people living in Granada take their religion seriously. It is a series of events during Holy Week leading up to Easter. Processions featuring religious brotherhoods, elaborate floats of Christ and the Virgin Mary, hooded penitents and marching bands.

• May
  Dia de la Cruz, or Day of the Cross, celebrates the end of winter. The festival gets the locals dressed up for a party lasting three days. Crosses are decorated with or made out of flowers and are kept stay in top shape It's one of the more upbeat and characteristic festivals of the year and very popular with locals and tourists alike!

• June
  The International Festival of Music and Dance offers a great selection of music. Acts are located all around town, but the main setting is the Generalife Gardens in the Alhambra. It has flamenco dancing and the sound of Spanish guitars flowing and it's a real great day for any music lovers.

• July
  Fiesta del Albayzin, which runs from June into July. This festival is based around San Miguel and involves aspects of Saint Peters day. You'll be able to tell when it's going on because the streets are decorated and music and dancing abound.

• September
  Fiesta de Nuestra Senora de las Angustias, which is also know as the day of the Virign. It's celebrated with a day of processions and parties that fill the streets.

• October
  International Jazz Festival. The European jazz network is the home to this festival and carries with it a great importance. It has a great range of acts that help promote the great reputation of jazz music.

• November
  Hocus Pocus Festival great acts such as magicians and clowns from all over the world, with stalls set up all around for this four day festival. As the name suggests, you're sure to have a magical time enjoying the festival.

• December
  New Years Eve: fireworks and parties are the great thing about this festival celebrated by all. It's sure to get you ready for all the new year's resolutions and will help you start the new year out in style.

Back to Granada Culture