It’s hard to find a week in Spain when there isn’t some kind of holiday or fiesta going on.
As a visitor, it is, of course, fascinating to join in or just to observe the spectacle which is such an important part of cultural and religious lives of the Spanish. Just as importantly it is good to know when these events take place because they often impact travel plans, accommodation availability, and access to shops, monuments and attractions.
This does not claim to be a fully comprehensive list, an almost impossible task, as even the tiniest village holds an annual fiesta around the date of the local saints day. Also included are school holidays and the important dates celebrated in neighbouring provinces as this may be useful for those planning a trip to Granada and beyond.
January
1 – National Holiday: Año Nuevo New Years Day
2 – Granada: Dia de la Toma Reconquest Festival, celebrating the Christian conquest of the Moors in 1492
6 – National Holiday: Dia de los Reyes The Three Kings, 12th Night and Efianía Epiphany
20 – National Holiday: San Sebastian Saint Stephen and the famous Tamborrada
February
1 – Granada: San Cecilio Local fiesta celebrated in the gypsy quarter of Sacromonte
Mid – Andalucía: Carnival week long celebration leading up to Lent. The most spectacular Carnival event in mainland Spain is held in Cádiz.
28 -Andalucía: Dia de Andalucía Andalucía Day
March
12-17 – 36th Festival Internacional de Tango in Granada
Variable – National: Semana Santa Holy Week following Domingo de Ramos Palm Sunday
Semana Santa 2024: 24-31 March
24 – Domingo de Ramos Palm Sunday
29 – Viernes Santo Good Friday
31 – Domingo de Resurrección ó Domingo de Pascua Easter Sunday
1 April – Lunes de Pascua Easter Monday
Accommodation in Granada is in high demand during Semana Santa, so be sure to book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
School holidays in Andalucía 25 March – 1 April.
April
5-7: The Sun & Snow music festival in the Sierra Nevada
If you are planning to go further afield than Granada it is worth noting that the week-long Seville Feria de Abril takes place two weeks after Easter. 14-20 April 2024
28 April: 2024 Ski season in Sierra Nevada ends
May
1 – National: Dia del Trabajo Labour Day
Variable – Corpus Christi Important religious processions all over Spain, the most important of which can be found in Toledo, Malaga, Granada and Seville
25 May – 1 June (variable): Granada Feria Granada Fair
27 May – 3 June, National: Corpus Christi. Important religious processions all over Spain, the most important of which can be found in Toledo, Malaga, Granada and Seville
May is a lovely time to come to Granada to explore the city and visit the Alhambra before the summer heat arrives.
2-12 May – If you are planning to explore further afield in Andalucía, May is a also a great time to visit Córdoba to experience the Patio Festival Fiesta de los Patios, when the city’s stunning courtyards are filled with flowers and open to the public.
Córdoba makes a great day trip from Granada.
June
25 May – 1 June (variable): Granada Feria Granada Fair
27 May – 3 June, National: Corpus Christi. Important religious processions all over Spain, the most important of which can be found in Toledo, Malaga, Granada and Seville
13 – Local: Fiestas Patronales de San Antonio Trevélez, La Alpujarra
23/24 – Local: Candelas de San Juan Saint John which includes Noche de San Juan Bonfires and burning effigies on Spain’s beaches.
23/24 – Local: Carrera de agua Lanjarón Annual water fight in Lanjarón takes place at midnight on 23rd June.
28/29 – La Herradura International Blues Festival
Variable end of June early July – Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada – the Granada Festival of Music and Dance, one of Spain’s most prestigious annual music events featuring celebrated and budding artists, takes place at the Alhambra.
Dates for 2024: 7 June to 14 July.
School holidays in Andalucía from 24 June to early September.
July
Variable end of June early July – Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada – the Granada Festival of Music and Dance, one of Spain’s most prestigious annual music events featuring celebrated and budding artists, takes place at the Alhambra.
Dates for 2024: 7 June to 14 July.
School holidays in Andalucía from 24 June to early September.
August
15 – National: La Asunción Assumption of Mary
School holidays in Andalucía from 24 June to early September.
Planning a trip to Granada in the summer? Find the best beaches on the Costa Tropical here.
August is the time that most Spanish families take their holidays. Book your accommodation early to avoid disappointment.
September
6 – Local: El Cascamorras Annual Feria in Baza
29 – Local: Fiesta de San Miguel Saint Michael celebrated in Granada’s Albayzín
School holidays in Andalucía from 24 June to early September.
October
12 -National: Dia de la Hispanidad Spanish National Day celebrating the anniversary of Columbus’ landing in the New World.
31 – Halloween is popularly observed but is not an official holiday
November
1 – National: Todos los Santos All Saints Day
November/December – variable: Ski season in Sierra Nevada begins
December
6 – National: Dia de la Constitucion Constitution Day
8 – National: Imaculada Concepción Immaculate Conception
25 – National: Navidad Christmas Day
School holidays in Andalucía from 23 December 7 January.
November/December – variable: Ski season in Sierra Nevada begins
Check out our blog 5 Things to do in Granada this Christmas
Updated: January 2024
