If there’s one thing Spain absolutely nails, it’s knowing how to throw a party. Seriously, this country takes its festivals so seriously that you could literally plan your entire year around them. Whether it’s tomatoes flying through the air, massive wooden sculptures going up in flames, or thousands of people drumming for 24 hours straight, Spain’s got it all.
Spanish festivals (or “fiestas” as locals call them) aren’t just tourist attractions—they’re deeply woven into the cultural fabric. These celebrations mix religion, history, food, music, and pure joy in a way that’s uniquely Spanish. And the best part? Something is happening practically every month, so no matter when you visit, you’re bound to catch something incredible.
This guide breaks down the absolute best festivals happening across Spain in 2026, month by month, so you can plan your trip around the celebrations that match your vibe.
January Festivals in Spain 2026
Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) – January 6, Nationwide
Forget Santa Claus—in Spain, it’s the Three Wise Men who bring the presents on January 6th. The night before (January 5th), cities across Spain host magical parades called “Cabalgatas” where the kings toss sweets to kids lining the streets. It’s basically controlled chaos, and it’s adorable.
Tamborrada – January 19-20, San Sebastián
Now this one’s wild. At midnight on January 19th, the mayor raises a flag in Plaza de la Constitución, and suddenly 28,000 people dressed as chefs and soldiers start drumming through the streets of San Sebastián—and they don’t stop for 24 hours. Yep, a full day of non-stop drumming. Grab some pintxos (Basque tapas), find a good spot, and soak in the organized chaos.
January tip: It’s chilly, so pack layers. But the crowds are smaller than in summer, making it perfect for experiencing authentic Spanish culture without the tourist swarms.
February Festivals in Spain 2026
Carnival (Carnaval) – Late February/Early March
Spain does Carnival big time, and three cities absolutely steal the show: Cádiz, Tenerife, and Sitges.
Cádiz is famous for its satirical street performances and witty songs that poke fun at politicians—it’s like comedy meets costume party. Tenerife goes full Rio de Janeiro with massive parades, elaborate costumes, and all-night street parties. And Sitges near Barcelona? It’s known for being super inclusive and fabulously over-the-top.
Expect glitter, sequins, music blasting from every corner, and Spanish people showing off their creative (and sometimes ridiculous) costumes. It’s basically one giant excuse to party before Lent.
March Festivals in Spain 2026
Las Fallas – March 1-19, Valencia
Okay, this is hands-down one of the most insane festivals you’ll ever witness. Valencia spends an entire year building over 400 enormous sculptures (fallas) made of wood, papier-mâché, and pure artistic genius—and then burns them all to the ground on March 19th.
Key dates for Las Fallas 2026:
March 1-19: Daily “mascletà” (deafening firework shows) at 2 pm in Plaza del Ayuntamiento
March 15: Plantà—when all sculptures are officially installed
March 17-18: Ofrenda de Flores (flower offering to the Virgin Mary)
March 18: Nit del Foc—epic midnight fireworks display
March 19: La Cremà—everything burns! Small fallas go first at 8pm, then the grand finale near midnight
Book your accommodation months in advance—this festival is ridiculously popular and hotels fill up fast.
April Festivals in Spain 2026
Semana Santa (Holy Week) – March 29-April 5, 2026
Technically starts in late March, but the heart of Semana Santa falls into early April this year. This is Spain’s most solemn and spectacular religious celebration, featuring processions of massive floats (pasos) carried by hooded penitents through cobblestone streets.
Best cities to experience Semana Santa:
- Seville: The most famous, with incredibly elaborate processions
- Málaga: Deeply emotional and authentic
- Valladolid: Known for its artistic and religious sculptures
Key dates for Semana Santa 2026:
Photography is fine, but be respectful—this is a serious religious devotion for many participants.
Feria de Abril (April Fair) – April 21+, Seville
Right after the somberness of Semana Santa, Seville flips the script completely with the April Fair—a week-long party featuring flamenco dancing, sherry flowing like water, horse parades, and women in traditional polka-dot dresses.
Fair warning: many of the casetas (tents) are private and require invitations, but there are public ones too, where you can eat, drink, and dance until sunrise.
May Festivals in Spain 2026
Patios Festival – May 4-17, Córdoba
Córdoba’s residents open their gorgeous flower-filled courtyards to the public during this UNESCO-recognized festival. We’re talking walls absolutely covered in colorful geraniums, carnations, and jasmine—it’s like walking through a living garden magazine.
The courtyards compete for awards, so homeowners go all out. It’s free to visit, incredibly photogenic, and way less chaotic than some of Spain’s bigger festivals.
San Isidro Festival – May 15, Madrid
Madrid celebrates its patron saint with bullfights, concerts, and traditional chotis dancing. Even if you’re not into bullfighting, the city has a special energy during San Isidro, with tons of free outdoor events and people dressed in traditional Madrid attire.
Why May rocks: Perfect weather—not too hot yet, flowers everywhere, and Spain is absolutely gorgeous this time of year.
June Festivals in Spain 2026
Corpus Christi – June 4, Toledo
Toledo goes full medieval during Corpus Christi, with religious processions winding through streets decorated with flowers and aromatic herbs. The UNESCO-recognized event showcases the city’s stunning architecture and deep Catholic traditions.
San Juan Night (Noche de San Juan) – June 23, Coastal Cities
The shortest night of the year calls for bonfires, beach parties, and jumping over waves for good luck. Barcelona, Alicante, and coastal towns across Spain celebrate the summer solstice with fire, fireworks, and all-night beach celebrations.
Local tradition says if you jump over nine waves at midnight, you’ll have good luck all year. Worth a shot, right?
July Festivals in Spain 2026
Running of the Bulls (San Fermín) – July 6-14, Pamplona
Probably Spain’s most internationally famous festival, San Fermín features the daily Running of the Bulls from July 7-14, with the actual bull runs happening at 8am sharp.
Here’s the deal: Six fighting bulls chase hundreds of (often drunk) people down narrow cobblestone streets for about 3 minutes of pure adrenaline and terror. It’s dangerous, controversial, and absolutely electric.
If you’re not running: Rent a balcony to watch safely, enjoy the 24/7 street party atmosphere, wear white clothes with a red scarf (traditional outfit), and try to survive on minimal sleep because Pamplona doesn’t stop.
Safety tip: If you do run, be sober, know the route, and don’t touch the bulls. Seriously.
August Festivals in Spain 2026
La Tomatina – August 26, Buñol
A whole town throwing 150,000 tomatoes at each other for an hour. That’s it. That’s the festival.
It’s messy, it’s ridiculous, it’s iconic, and tickets sell out fast. Wear clothes you don’t care about, goggles if you’ve got ’em, and prepare to be covered head-to-toe in tomato pulp.
August reality check: Spain in August is HOT. We’re talking 35-40°C (95-104°F) in many places. Drink tons of water, wear sunscreen, and maybe schedule your sightseeing for early morning.
Regional Summer Festivals
Tons of villages throw their own “fiestas mayores” in August—local celebrations with music, food, and fireworks. They’re less touristy and super authentic.
September Festivals in Spain 2026
La Mercè Festival – September 20-24, Barcelona
Barcelona’s biggest party honors its patron saint with human towers (castells), fire runs (correfocs), giant parade figures, free concerts, and spectacular fireworks over the Mediterranean.
The correfoc is particularly insane—people dressed as devils run through the streets with fireworks attached to sticks, and the crowd is expected to dodge the sparks. Wear long sleeves and closed shoes if you join in.
Grape Harvest Festivals (Vendimia) – Various Dates, Rioja & Jerez
September is harvest time in Spain’s wine regions. Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Jerez, and other wine areas celebrate with grape stomping, wine tastings, and vineyard tours.
Why September is perfect: The brutal heat finally breaks, crowds thin out after August, and it’s harvest season—meaning amazing fresh food and wine everywhere you go.
October Festivals in Spain 2026
National Day of Spain (Día de la Hispanidad) – October 12
Spain’s national holiday features military parades in Madrid, cultural events, and lots of Spanish flags. It commemorates Columbus’s arrival in the Americas and Spanish heritage worldwide.
Pilar Festival – October 12, Zaragoza
Zaragoza celebrates its patron saint, the Virgin of Pilar, with a week of concerts, bullfights, traditional dancing, and a massive flower offering. It coincides with Spain’s National Day, making it a double celebration.
November Festivals in Spain 2026
All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos) – November 1
A quieter, more reflective celebration where Spanish families visit cemeteries to honor deceased relatives and eat traditional sweets like “huesos de santo” (saint’s bones—marzipan treats shaped like bones).
San Andrés Festival – Late November, Canary Islands
The Canary Islands celebrate Saint Andrew with wine tastings, chestnut roasting, and in some towns, people literally slide down streets on wooden boards. It’s quirky and fun.
November underrated fact: Way fewer tourists, cheaper hotels, and you’ll experience Spain in a more authentic, local way.
December Festivals in Spain 2026
Christmas Markets – December, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville
Spanish Christmas markets pop up across major cities, selling nativity scenes (Spaniards are obsessed with elaborate belenes), holiday treats like turrón (nougat), and handmade crafts.
Barcelona’s Santa Llúcia market near the Cathedral is particularly charming.
New Year’s Eve Grape Tradition (Nochevieja) – December 31
Here’s the most Spanish thing ever: at midnight on New Year’s Eve, everyone eats 12 grapes—one for each bell chime—for good luck in the coming year. Sounds easy until you try it and realize you’re basically choking on grapes while trying to laugh and celebrate simultaneously.
Madrid’s Puerta del Sol is the epicenter of this tradition, broadcast live on TV, but every town square across Spain does it.
Practical Travel Tips for Spain Festivals 2026
Book early: Major festivals like Las Fallas, Semana Santa, San Fermín, and La Tomatina fill up hotels months in advance.
Transportation: Trains and buses get packed during festivals. Book tickets early, especially for AVE high-speed trains between cities.
Cultural etiquette:
- During Semana Santa, be respectful—it’s deeply religious for many
- At flamenco events, don’t clap along unless you know the rhythm (you’ll mess up the performers)
- Spaniards eat dinner late (9-11 pm), so adjust your schedule accordingly
Festival survival: Comfortable shoes, portable phone charger, small crossbody bag, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle are your best friends.
FAQ
What is the biggest festival in Spain?
Probably a tie between Las Fallas in Valencia and Semana Santa in Seville—both are massive, culturally significant, and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors.
What month has the most festivals in Spain?
March, April, and July are absolutely packed with major celebrations, including Las Fallas, Semana Santa, Feria de Abril, and San Fermín.
Are Spain festivals family-friendly?
Most are! Three Kings Day, Corpus Christi, the Patios Festival, and Christmas celebrations are perfect for kids. However, Carnival can get rowdy late at night, and obviously, skip the Running of the Bulls with little ones.
Spain’s festival calendar is basically a year-long excuse to celebrate life, history, religion, food, and community. Whether you’re into religious processions, total party chaos, flower-filled courtyards, or literal food fights, there’s a Spanish festival with your name on it in 2026.
The key is planning ahead—especially for the big-name festivals—but also leaving room for spontaneity. Some of the best festival experiences happen when you stumble into a small-town fiesta you’d never heard of and get pulled into the celebration by friendly locals.
So pick your month, book your flights, practice your grape-eating technique, and get ready to experience Spain at its most vibrant, loud, colorful, and absolutely unforgettable. Trust me, you’ll come home with stories that’ll last a lifetime.
