An Andalusian Experience's year-round guide to selected fiestas, cultural and sporting events in southern Spain. Please note that the information below is subject to last-minute change or cancellation

GUITAR. The Gran Teatro de Córdoba hosts the city’s prestigious International Guitar Festival, featuring every style of music from classical to jazz and flamenco, in the second week of July.

FISHERMAN’S FIESTA. The Virgen del Carmen is the patroness of Andalusian fishermen, and colourful sea-borne processions are held in her honour in fishing communities all along the coast on or near her feast day, July 16.

CAVE MUSIC. Ballet performances, classical concerts and recitals in an unusual setting, the Caves of Nerja (Málaga), at the end of July. T

 

 

AUGUST

MALAGA FAIR. Malaga holds its annual feria, with dancing, music, promenades of horsemen and bullfights during the second week in August.

POLO. Sotogrande (Cádiz) hosts top international polo events during August.

VIRGIN OF THE SNOWS. Before dawn on August 5, pilgrims set out from the village of Trevelez (Granada) and make their way to the shrine on the Veleta peak in Sierra Nevada.

HORSE RACING. Spectacular horse races on the beach in Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz) a tradition which dates back more than a century and a half and attracts top international jockeys, on two separate weekends: August 16-18 and August 29-31, 2001.

WINE. The village of Cómpeta in Málaga hosts its Noche del Vino wine festival on August 15.

ALMERIA FAIR. Almería celebrates its annual Fiesta in honor of the Virgin of the Sea during the last ten days in August.

SHELLFISH. Tons of prawns are dispensed during the Feria de la Gamba in Punta Umbría (Huelva) on the last weekend in August.

CRUISE REGATTA. The classic Osborne Nautical Week, one of Spain’s top sailboat races, takes place in El Puerto de Santa María, during the last week of August

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SEPTEMBER

GOYESQUE. Ronda (Málaga) celebrates in Goyesque Fair, inspired by the taurine works of the painter, Goya, during the first week of September. The highlight of the fair is the Goyesca bullfight.

AUTUMN HARVEST FEST. From mid-September to mid-October, a full program of cultural and sports activities in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz) revolving around the annual harvest festival. Highlight is the blessing of the harvest and symbolic treading of the grapes on September 21.

 

 

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OCTOBER

SHOW JUMPING. Ancade, Spain's premiere equestrian event which includes the International Show Jumping Competition, is held at the Chapín equestrian stadium in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz) in the first week of October.

PAINTED CHRIST. The Pilgrimage in honour of the Cristo del Paño, revolving around a painted image of Christ taken out in a procession celebrated by the poet Lorca, takes place in Moclín (Granada) on October 5.

FUENGIROLA FAIR. One of Andalusia’s most cosmopolitan fairs, the Fiesta del Rosario, takes place in Fuengirola (Málaga) from October 6-12.

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NOVEMBER

ALL SAINT'S DAY. November 1. Andalusians gather in village cemeteries to honor their dead. In many towns, the feast day is also an excuse for El Tostón, a picnic in the countryside, traditionally consisting of roast chestnuts and anise liqueur. This tradition is especially popular  in Benaluaria, Istán and Ojén in the province of Málaga.

ASTA CONVENTION. The American Society of Travel Agents holds its annual convention at the Seville Palacio de Congresos y Convenciones, from November 5-10, 2001.

JAEN ROMERIA. In Jaén, a romería (pilgrimage) to the Santa Catalina castle to honour the city's patroness, on her feast day, November 25.

SICAB. The Salon Internacional del Caballo, Spain’s biggest trade fair devoted to the world of horses, is held at the Palacio de Congresos y Convenciones in Seville.

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DECEMBER

EXPOARTE. Trade fair devoted to folk art and crafts, at Seville’s Palacio de Congresos y Convenciones, in mid-December.

VERDIALES FIESTA. A festival featuring the ancient, haunting music of the Málaga mountains, on December 28 in Puerto de la Torre near Málaga.