Fiestas are a way of life for the people of Andalucía so it comes as no surprise to find that festivals in Granada are some of the region’s most visited annual events. These celebrations are attended by thousands of local people together with visitors from every corner of Spain as well as many foreign tourists.
Fiesta de la Toma
Held annually on 2nd January, this local fiesta commemorates the taking back of Granada from the Moors by the Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon. The event involves a procession in period costumes to the Town Hall building (Ayuntamiento) where the monarchs’ banner is raised.
Fiesta de San Cecilio
The first Sunday of February celebrates San Cecilio who was the first bishop of Granada and the city’s patron saint. The event attracts thousands of Granadinos who join an annual procession to the catacombs of Sacromonte where it is believed the remains of San Cecilio were discovered in the 16th century.
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Holy Week in Granada is one of the most important annual festivals in Granada which begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. It consists of processions of beautiful floats called ‘pasos’ which are carried by ‘costaleros’ from churches all over the city. The floats are followed by brass bands and hundreds of people as they make their way through the city’s streets on an officially designated route. The scheduled beginning of the celebration in Granada over the coming years is as follows:
2024 – 24th March
2025 – 13th April
Cruces de Mayo
The Festival of the May Crosses (Cruces de Mayo) is a traditional festival that takes place in Granada and many other parts of Andalucia during the month of May. The festival celebrates the arrival of spring and is celebrated with the placing of beautiful crosses and altars in some of the city’s main plazas (public squares) and in private homes. Competitions are held in neighbourhoods to determine the most beautiful crosses. In addition, temporary bars are often set up in some of these squares as well as loudspeakers which encourage lively ‘fiestas’ with impromptu flamenco dancing going on into the early hours. Specific dates vary but the festival is usually held during the first weekend in May.
Fería de Granada – Corpus Christi
The Granada Fair is little known in comparison with the world famous Fería de Abril in Seville. Nevertheless it is probably the city’s biggest celebration which includes all kinds of shows, dancing, competitions, bullfights and general partying. The event is held at the fairgrounds in Almanjáyar to the north of where more than 60 ‘casetas’ are set up for parties. Unlike in Seville, most of these ‘casetas’ are open to the general public.
The celebration lasts for seven days and takes place in the week leading up to Corpus Christi, a a moveable feast which falls 60 days after Easter Monday. Over the years the event has merged with Las Fiestas del Corpus Christi such that they are now considered to be one and the same. The scheduled dated for the Corpus Christi procession is as follows:
- 2024 – 30th May
- 2025 – 19th June
Granada International Festival of Music and Dance
The highlight of the city’s rich cultural calendar takes place in June when performers from around the world converge on Granada for this historic event which dates back to 1883. Performances take place at esteemed venues around the city including the Generalife Gardens of the Alhambra Palace. There is great demand for limited event tickets so early reservations are recommended. See the Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada website for more information.
Festival de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias
If you’re in Granada on the last Sunday of September you should look out for the procession dedicated to the Virgin Mary which makes its way through the city. This is one of the lesser known festivals in Granada which mainly attracts local people.
Granada International Jazz Festival
This annual event is one of the longest established jazz festivals in Europe which has been taking place since 1980. It takes place in November and over the years it has attracted some of the greatest names from the world of jazz including Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson and Herbie Hancock. A great line-up of top musicians at numerous venues around the city ensure a large gathering of locals and international visitors every year.
Cabalgata de Reyes Magos
The 5th January is a great time to be in Granada as it is the evening when the Three Kings arrive in the city. They travel on floats and throw sweets to the thousands of children who line their route which begins at Salvador Allende then continues along Poeta Gracián to Puerta Real. It then goes along Calle Reyes Católicos, Gran Vía and Avenida Constitución before ending at Los Mondragones. You can find out more about end of year festivities on our Christmas in Spain page.
Other Festivals in Granada
As well as the specific festivals in Granada which are highlighted above, there are a number of Fiestas de Verano (Summer Festivals) which take place during the summer months in different neighborhoods of the city and in some of the many villages which make up the province of Granada. The best known of these in the city is the Festival del Albaicín which takes place on 29th June. These festivities typically feature live music, dancing and large scale consumption of Alhambra beer and local wines.
A good time to visit the Costa Tropical on the coast of Granada is 16th July when the Virgen del Carmen Fiesta is celebrated with fishing boats carrying the Virgin across the bay of numerous towns including Almuñécar, Motril, Calahonda and Salobreña. There’s also a spectacular fireworks display in Almuñécar on 15th August to celebrate La Fiesta de la Virgen de la Antigua.
Public Holidays in Granada
As well as the festivals listed above there are also local and national holidays which might take place during your visit. The effect on opening times of tourist attractions during such holidays will vary so it’s best to check the official websites of these places. The main shops and banks will close on public holidays though many tourist businesses will stay open. Most bars and restaurants are unaffected.
1st January – New Year’s Day
6th January – Epiphany/Three Kings
March/April – Good Friday
March/April – Easter Monday
1st May – Labour Day
15th August – Feast of the Assumption
12th October – Columbus’ Day (National Day in the rest of Spain)
1st November – All Saints Day
6th December – Constitution Day
8th December – Immaculate Conception
25th December – Christmas Day
26th December – Boxing Day
