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: Carnaval week long celebration leading up to Lent
28 -Andalucía: Dia de Andalucía Andalucía Day
March
Variable – National: Semana Santa Holy Week following Domingo de Ramos Palm Sunday
Semana Santa 2023: 2 – 9 April
Accommodation in Granada is in high demand during Semana Santa, so be sure to book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
April
Semana Santa 2021
2 – Domingo de Ramos Palm Sunday
7 – Viernes Santo Good Friday
9 – Domingo de Resurrección ó Domingo de Pascua Easter Sunday
10- Lunes de Pascua Easter Monday
If you are planning to go further afield than Granada it is worth noting that the week-long Seville Feria takes place two weeks after Easter.
School holidays in Andalucía 3 – 7 April.
May
1 – National: Dia del Trabajo Labour Day
1 – Last day of the ski season 2023 in Sierra Nevada
Variable – 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.
Variable – Granada Feria Granada Fair 3 – 10 June 2023
June
3 – 10 June – Granada Feria Granada Fair
8 -National: Corpus Christi 2023 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.
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 2023: 9 June to 19 July.
School holidays in Andalucía from 22 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 2023: 9 June to 19 July.
School holidays in Andalucía from 22 June to early September.
August is the time that most Spanish families take their holidays. Book your accommodation early to avoid disappointment.
August
15 – National: La Asunción Assumption of Mary
School holidays in Andalucía from 22 June to early September.
Planning a trip to Granada in the summer? Find the best beaches on the Costa Tropical here.
September
6 – Local: El Cascamorras Annual Feria in Baza
School holidays in Andalucía from 22 June to early September.
October
1 – Local: Fiesta de San Miguel Saint Michael celebrated in Granada’s Albayzín
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
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.
Check out our blog 5 Things to do in Granada this Christmas
