Events & Holidays

The small and charming village of Viniegra de Abajo, nestled between La Rioja, Soria and Burgos, becomes a rural cultural hub each season thanks to the Sierra Sonora festival. With thirteen editions behind it, this event blends music, art and social commitment in an intimate and welcoming setting.

The summer edition, held from August 8 to 10, features live concerts, workshops, guided tours, activities for all ages, and a culinary offer based on local products. The festival is firmly rooted in values such as environmental respect, sustainability, and the fight against depopulation.

When: August 8–10
Where: Viniegra de Abajo (La Rioja)
More info: sierrasonora.es

Each second weekend of July, the Andalusian town of Alcaudete goes back in time to its medieval roots with the Fiestas Calatravas. For three days, its historic centre is transformed into a vibrant setting filled with banners, taverns, military camps, and a bustling medieval market.

Jousts, theatrical performances, live music and activities for all audiences recreate the medieval spirit with extraordinary realism. A highlight is the dramatized "Assault on the Town", an epic reenactment of a battle between Calatrava knights and Nazarí troops. A must for history lovers.

When: Second weekend of July
Where: Alcaudete (Jaén)
More info: alcaudete.es

In the heart of Málaga’s Axarquía region, the village of Alfarnatejo honours its most iconic dish with the Gazpacho Festival. The star recipe, “Gazpacho de los Tres Golpes”, is handmade with local ingredients and centuries-old tradition.

Held the first weekend of August, the festival features free tastings, live music, folk dances and local activities. Visitors even get to take home a traditional ceramic ladle as a souvenir. A celebration that blends flavour, hospitality, and cultural pride.
 

When: First week of August
Where: Alfarnatejo (Málaga)
More info: alfarnatejo.es

In Ayerbe, a village with just over 1,000 residents, culture takes centre stage every summer with the Brizna Festival, an event that brings together art, music, and environmental awareness. Since its debut in 2021, the festival has grown rapidly, from 2,000 attendees to over 7,000.

Top-quality concerts, visual shows, family activities and art installations fill a symbolic venue built with straw bales—a powerful image of sustainability and rural pride. Brizna is more than a festival; it’s a cultural act of resistance.
 

When: August 2–4
Where: Ayerbe (Huesca)
More info: briznafestival.com

Antequera Light Fest is a luminous tribute to the city’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each summer, this Andalusian gem becomes the stage for immersive projections, light installations and music, offering visitors a magical sensory journey.

Iconic landmarks such as the Bullring, City Hall, Coso Viejo Square and the Collegiate Church host stunning shows like “Pharaoh’s Treasure”, “Rising Sun”, “Boreal” and “Around the World”. A dazzling celebration where digital art and ancient culture converge.

When: End of July
Where: Antequera (Málaga)
More info: antequeralightfest.com

On June 29, the town of Haro (La Rioja) celebrates one of Spain’s most iconic and playful festivals: the Batalla del Vino (Wine Battle). After a mass in the countryside, the fun begins as people dressed in white and red drench each other in wine using boots, sprayers or buckets.

The goal is to get as purple as possible while laughing, singing, and enjoying this wild tradition. The event ends with a massive feast featuring local delicacies like snails and lamb chops grilled over vine shoots.

When: June 29
Where: Haro (La Rioja)
More info: batalladelvino.com

In Anguiano, La Rioja, every July eight young men perform the gravity-defying Stilt Dance, spinning rapidly down a steep cobbled street on 50 cm high stilts. Their wide skirts create an air cushion that helps maintain balance during the descent.

This centuries-old ritual, dating back to the 1600s, honours Saint Mary Magdalene and has been declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Risk, devotion, and art come together in a show that is as unique as it is exhilarating.

Picture: by BigSus - Trabajo propio, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3150139)

When: July
Where: Anguiano (La Rioja)
More info: aytoanguiano.larioja.org

On August 27, Tarazona erupts in celebration with the appearance of El Cipotegato, a masked figure who must run through the main square while being pelted with tomatoes by thousands of people. This colourful and wild tradition dates back to the Middle Ages and now marks the start of the town’s patron festivities.

Recognised as a Festival of National Tourist Interest, the event continues until September 1 with concerts, parades, and cultural activities for all ages.

When: August 27–September 1
Where: Tarazona (Zaragoza)
More info: turismodearagon.com

Dating back to 1908, the Batalla de Flores in Laredo (Cantabria) is one of the most stunning festivals in Spain. Every last Friday in August, enormous floats covered with more than 1.5 million fresh flowers parade through the streets, dazzling the crowd with their colour and artistry.

Created over ten months by expert artisans using dahlias, carnations and marigolds, these floral masterpieces resemble giant sculptures in motion. A breathtaking event that celebrates craftsmanship, tradition, and the ephemeral beauty of flowers.
 

When: Last Friday in August
Where: Laredo (Cantabria)
More info: laredoturismo.es

In Béjar, the Corpus Christi celebration becomes legendary thanks to the Hombres de Musgo (Moss Men), figures entirely covered in greenery who parade through the city in memory of a 12th-century military tactic during the Christian Reconquest.

This symbolic procession begins with the dressing of the Moss Men at the Convent of San Francisco, open to the public. Recognised as a Festival of International Tourist Interest, it honours Béjar’s cultural roots and captivates all who witness it.

When: Around Corpus Christi
Where: Béjar (Salamanca)
More info: turismobejar.com

Every first Sunday of August, the Galician town of Catoira relives its Viking past with a lively and theatrical Viking Pilgrimage. Locals dress as Norse warriors and Galician villagers to reenact the 11th-century raids and the defence of the Torres de Oeste fortress.

The day includes medieval fairs, traditional food, music, and the spectacular landing of a reconstructed Viking ship on the Ulla River. It’s a celebration of history, humour and community spirit unlike any other in Spain.

When: First Sunday of August
Where: Catoira (Pontevedra, Galicia)
More info: catoira.gal

The Didim Lavender Festival is an annual celebration of nature, wellness, and local culture, set amidst the vibrant lavender fields of Akköy. Scheduled for July 12–13, 2025, this festival offers visitors a serene escape into a landscape of purple hues and aromatic scents. Attendees can engage in lavender harvesting, shop for handcrafted lavender-based products, enjoy live music performances, and participate in various workshops. The festival is designed to be family-friendly, providing activities for all ages, including photo opportunities in the picturesque lavender fields and a village market showcasing local crafts and organic goods.

The Köşk Fig & Shopping Festival is an annual celebration held in Köşk, Aydın, renowned for its high-quality figs. The festival showcases the region's agricultural heritage, particularly its fig production, and offers a vibrant marketplace for local products. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including shopping for handmade goods, tasting local delicacies, and participating in cultural performances. The event aims to promote local craftsmanship and foster community engagement, making it a significant cultural occasion in the region.

The Apple Festival in Warka, a town near Radom known for its apple orchards, is an annual celebration of the region’s fruit-growing heritage. Held in September, the event features apple-themed activities, including tastings, cooking demonstrations, and competitions for the best apple dishes. Local farmers, artisans, and food producers set up stalls to showcase apple products, crafts, and regional specialties. 

The Bread Festival at the Radom Village Museum celebrates the traditional art of bread-making, a cornerstone of Polish rural life. Visitors can observe and participate in demonstrations of historical baking techniques, from grinding grain to baking in traditional ovens. The event includes workshops where participants can try baking their own bread or yeast rolls, alongside tastings of regional bread varieties. 

The Folk Art Fair in Iłża, a small town near Radom, is an annual event showcasing the region’s rich tradition of folk art and crafts. Held in summer, the fair invites local artisans, potters, and weavers to exhibit and sell their handmade goods, such as ceramics, embroidery, and wooden carvings. The event features live demonstrations of traditional craft techniques, folk music performances, and regional food stalls. 

The Harvest Festival, known as Dożynki, is a traditional Polish celebration of the harvest season held annually at the Radom Village Museum. This event honors the region’s agricultural heritage with demonstrations of traditional harvesting techniques, such as threshing and weaving. Visitors can enjoy folk music and dance performances, taste seasonal foods, and participate in workshops on rural crafts like basket weaving and pottery. 

Palm Sunday at the Radom Village Museum is a vibrant celebration of traditional Polish religious and rural customs marking the beginning of Holy Week. The event features the creation and blessing of traditional Radom-style palm decorations, which are intricately crafted with colorful paper flowers, ribbons, and natural materials. Visitors can participate in workshops to learn about palm-making techniques, observe historical reenactments, and join in religious ceremonies held at the museum’s historic Church of St. Dorothy from Wolanów. 

The Potato Festival is an annual autumn event held at the Radom Countryside Museum, celebrating traditional rural life and Polish agricultural heritage. Visitors can take part in hands-on activities such as potato digging, field work, and traditional food preparation like sauerkraut-making. The festival features live demonstrations by local folk groups and women’s associations, showcasing old farming customs and crafts. A highlight of the event is the regional potato dish competition, judged by well-known chefs and local culinary experts. Folk music and dancing bring the grounds to life, with guests invited to join in traditional dances on wooden platforms.