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Looking to experience the best parties in Spain? There are so many to choose from! But which are the main parties that you can’t afford to miss? We’ve made a list of the top ten major party events in all of Spain to help make it easier for you. This list is not exhaustive and it’s in no particular order. Partying and Spain is inextricably linked, so our list could be endless!
Spain: the land of fiestas and festivals
There are many celebrations and festivals in Spain throughout the year, often associated with the Catholic faith. In the meantime, they are so deeply rooted in the culture that they have become traditions that young and old participate in every year. If you are staying in Spain, try to check the calendar to see if you can attend one of these special parties.
Here our favorite Top 10 best parties in Spain:
1. Semana Santa
The week leading up to Easter in Spain is Semana Santa, or Holy Week. During this week, processions and other Easter ceremonies take place all over Spain. Many celebrations in Spain have their origin from the Catholic faith. Even if you are not religious at all, the Semana Santa is an impressive event and certainly interesting to experience.
The brotherhoods of the different parishes prepare the processions well in advance. Many hundreds of men and women participate in these processions. Each parish has its own Jesus (walking with the cross), Mary and many penitents. Large and heavy gold statues (the patron saint) are carried shoulder to shoulder through the streets. There are death marches where the ‘penitents’ with the point masks (to ensure anonymity) walk threateningly and solemnly through the streets. Finally, on Easter Sunday at the Resurrection, Jesus and Mary and many others walk happily in a procession through the streets, scattering flowers. It is a very ritual and for the Spaniards themselves an important event every year, which is celebrated exuberantly.
Almost every day there is a procession that lasts many hours, so that whole families place their folding chairs along the road and bring food (not to mention the sunflower seeds) to watch the impressive processions from the sidewalk.
Semana Santa is celebrated all over Spain, so it doesn’t matter where you are. You will definitely get something out of it. This is celebrated extensively in the region of Andalusia. On Good Friday and Easter Sunday you can see the most important processions. The processions in Málaga are distinguished by the large ‘Trónos’, or floats, which are in the churches. They are carried through the streets by a large group of porters, sometimes as many as 150 “Hombres del trono” per image.
2. Las Fallas - Valencia
If there is one thing that has to be on your bucket list, it must be Las Fallas in Valencia. Forget everything you’ve seen so far, because there is no greater and more fascinating spectacle than the Fallas in Valencia. It was even declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2016. Our list of the best parties in Spain wouldn’t mean anything without this one!
The festival has its origins somewhere in the 15th century. Carpenters began to burn their wooden candlesticks with the arrival of spring because they no longer needed them. This coincided with the feast day of San José on March 19. Over the years, the stands were dressed up to resemble figures. The figures soon acquired a critical or mocking character. Meanwhile, Las Fallas has grown into a major event where the wooden stands have grown into hundreds of beautiful meters high statues on squares and intersections throughout the city.
Las Fallas officially begins the last Sunday of February with an opening party ‘La Crida’ with a light and fireworks show at the Torres de Serrano and ends on March 19 with ‘La Crema’, the burning of all statues created for the party throughout the city. Every district of the city has a fallas association, who prepare the statues and the feast all year round.
From the end of February, every day at 2 p.m. there is a ‘mascleta’, or a deafening “composed” fireworks display in Plaza Ayuntamiento.
The culmination of the celebration is from March 15 to 19, when the city is filled with the colorful statues, flags, lights, many flower offerings by thousands of beautifully dressed Valencians from young to old. For a week, huge, colorful statues and figures fill the squares and streets of the city. In the meantime many fireworks and in the evening also a beautiful ‘castillo’, beautiful decorative fireworks. The parties go on day and night.
Las Fallas is yet again proof that they really know how to throw a party in Valencia. And all this in a very friendly atmosphere that young and old look forward to.
3. La Feria de Abril - Sevilla
La Feria de Abril is Seville’s most famous and exuberant festival. The spring festival that originated in the mid-19th century is usually held two weeks after Semana Santa. As always, this cheerful flamenco party starts on Monday at midnight with the lighting of the tens of thousands of lights at the entrance gate to the Feria site (‘La Prueba del Alumbrao’). Then there’s plenty to do for a week, full of entertainment, colors and the best of what Andalusia has to offer, including plenty of flamenco dancing.
You will also find a large amusement park at the feria with a Ferris wheel, many party tents (´casetas´) for all kinds of groups who literally come here day and night to eat, drink, dance and party with passion. It goes without saying that there is no shortage of good food during the Feria de Abril. In Seville this means the necessary tapas and copas, and preferably until late at night. A regular opening night ritual is to eat fried fish, while during the day it is common for Andalusian-style stews to be served at lunchtime.
Every afternoon there is also the Paseo de Caballos¨, in this “walk of the horses” you see the proud riders on their beautiful horses, carriages and their beautifully dressed Spanish beauties in their colorful flamenco dresses.
The city exudes an authentic, festive Spanish atmosphere. When night falls, you can enjoy impromptu flamenco concerts on every street corner. Experience it for yourself!
The Feria de Abril unwinds on Sunday night after a spectacular and colorful fireworks display.
4. Carnaval
Undoubtedly one of the best parties in Spain, Carnival is celebrated exuberantly in many places throughout the country. In Spain Carnival is cheerful, stylish and a party full of humor and is mainly celebrated in the streets. The most famous carnivals are those of Tenerife and Cádiz.
Tenerife is pretty much the carnival capital of Europe. It is the second largest carnival in the world after Rio de Janeiro. The entire month of February, everything on the island is dedicated to these festivities. The island then fills with smiling faces, colors, glitter and glamour.
The center of Santa Cruz is festively decorated and hundreds of fairground stalls, eateries and music stalls have been erected. For many days and especially nights, Santa Cruz is a bustling city full of samba, salsa and merengue, where thousands of revelers tirelessly dance to the infectious rhythm of the Mediterranean sounds.
On Friday it starts with the Cabalgata, the opening parade. On Tuesday is the Grand Carnival Parade¨. This is the day when the capital of Tenerife is transformed into one big party. You can see the amazing grand procession all over the city. Enjoy the people in traditional costumes and taste the local food. The dancers, attractions and music make this evening an unforgettable experience that you must see at least once in your life.
Also in Cádiz, everything will be unpacked in February. This authentic Andalusian carnival transforms the city into a place full of music, energy and fun. This cozy and colorful party lasts for 10 days. In these days Cádiz is flooded with all kinds of song, dance and food and drink. You can also see more than 300 Murgas during these days. These Murgas are official carnival groups that sing and dance their act in the theater, on foot or on floats, also performing skits about everyday scenes and political life in Spain.
A party not to be missed!
Balearen / Mallorca - Palmanova
5. Festival de los Patios - Córdoba
At the beginning of May, the most important celebration in Córdoba takes place: the Patio Festival. During this, the owners open their lovely patios to the general public. You can then visit the most beautiful patios for a week, often very colorful and real flower paradises.
During this week, the balconies in the historic center of Córdoba are also decorated with flower arrangements, which is a beautiful sight.
It is a festival full of joy and music that attracts hordes of curious tourists to Córdoba. It is not only plant lovers who can indulge themselves in Córdoba. The city is also known for its delicious food, interesting history and numerous places where you can soak up the typical Andalusian atmosphere. And partying in Spain means dancing, singing, eating and drinking. Many of these festivities can be found in the San Basilio district. The festival de los Patios was first organized in 1918 by the Municipality of Córdoba. In 2012, La Fiesta de los Patios in Córdoba was added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural World Heritage.
Part of the festival is also a competition. Every year different residents participate in the competition, which ensures that the festival is never the same. Each patio brings out new flowers, with different flower pots on the walls and other decorations in the gardens, such as art and dedications to San Rafael, the patron saint of the courtyard gardens and the festival. About two weeks before the start of the festival, a map will be put online on the Puerta de los Patios website, so that you can already map out a route. Every year there are about 50 to 60 inner gardens that are opened. Look no further than Festival de los Patios if you want the best parties in Spain!
6. La Tomatina - Buñol
Have you ever felt like throwing tomatoes at someone? Then you have to be in Buñol.
La Tomatina is the largest tomato fight in the world and is held on the last Wednesday of August. This fun and especially refreshing festival takes place in the town of Buñol, close to Valencia. The town has about 9,000 inhabitants, but that number is easily doubled during this festival. Participants throw about 140,000 kilos (!) of overripe tomatoes at anything that moves.
This crazy tradition started in the year 1945. Some young people argued with the police. They happened to be near a vegetable stall and so they just threw tomatoes that they picked from the stall. The riot police came and the damage had to be compensated. A year later the same thing happened. This time they had already brought the tomatoes from home themselves. The police came again and everyone was arrested. This happened several years in a row. The tradition was born! It has continued to grow over the years. Since 1980, the municipality itself has been distributing the tomatoes. Now, every August, thousands of people throw tomatoes at each other during the most fun event of the year.
La Tomatina is the closing party of a week full of festivities, traditional parades, fairs and markets. Without doubt this is one of the most original and best parties in Spain. In fact, the party is so original and so much fun that people travel to Spain especially for it to participate. The number of participants is now limited to about 20,000, which seems like a lot, but tickets are selling like hot cakes. So if you want to experience this once, buy your tickets well in advance! The costs to participate are approx. 20 euros.
The party starts when the ham is packed on a 5 meter high pole around 11 am and ends an hour later. Then it’s really over!
7. La batalla del vino in Haro - La Rioja
We couldn’t make a list of the best parties in Spain without including this… Early in the morning of June 29, more than 10,000 people gather in the main square of the wine town of Haro (La Rioja) for the best event in town: a real wine fight. A shame you would think, because the Rioja is one of the most famous wines in Spain. The province of La Rioja is organizing this chaotic “wine fight” to celebrate the region’s international success as a wine producer.
According to legend, during a pilgrimage on June 29, a villager decided to cool his companion with the wine he had brought in his boot. This event was the basis of a fun tradition that is now one of the most visited parties in Spain. During the party, no less than 130,000 (!) liters of wine are thrown over the revelers.
Everyone comes to this ‘battle of wine’ in the traditional costume of La Rioja: white clothes with only a red scarf around the neck.
The day starts around 07:00 with a procession of old and young people, locals and tourists. Everyone carries pitchers, bottles, pitchers, bottles and water pistols filled with red wine. Once the rocket goes off, there’s really no one who can keep their clothes clean! Wine flies around and the whole town turns a deep red.
And as long as there’s wine left, the local band will keep playing music. During the party, it is the most natural thing in the world to walk through the streets completely drenched in wine and party… and of course drink wine. Fun guaranteed at this hilariously filthy event!
8. Feria del Caballo in Jerez
Feria del Caballo in Jerez de la Frontera is for those who can’t get enough of the Feria de Abril and the flamenco music and dresses etc. There is a possibility to do it all over again during the Feria del Caballo (horse).
What can you expect from the Horse Feria in Jerez de la Frontera? Nothing but joyful celebrations, flamenco performances, and the best of Andalusian gastronomy and of course: horses, horses and more horses!
The feria originated in the Middle Ages as a horse market and over time it grew into a very varied collection of festivities. In addition to horse auctions, parades, equestrian competitions and dressage, there are also tapas competitions, tastings, bullfights and passionate parties. The festival is full of traditions, and so is the clothing.
Everyone dresses up gracefully for the occasion: the women are dressed in typical flamenco dresses and the men wear a traditional suit called ‘traje corto’.
The festivities kick off with the lighting of the spectacularly lit gate. This is followed by parades with horses and you can visit markets with more than 250 stalls, where you can feast on the tastiest tapas. Stroll around quietly and be sure to enjoy one of the many flamenco performances. Coincidence or not, this party always takes place a week after the festivities in Seville, so you can party a little longer.
9. La Noche de San Juan
The San Juan party is known among Spaniards as the shortest and most enchanting night of the year. After all, on June 24, Spain celebrates the birth of San Juan (Saint John the Baptist), and it starts with the previous Night of San Juan from June 23 to 24, in just about every place on the Spanish coast! A special night full of fun with family or friends at the beach, and good food, drinks, bonfires and the craziest ‘rituals’! Not to be missed if you’re in Spain that night!
On this evening/night everyone can make a bonfire on the beach. Everyone brings something to eat and drink and this creates a big party. Furthermore, there are often performances and fireworks are set off.
It is also a magical night full of ancient customs and superstitions. A special San Juan tradition is that of writing your deepest wishes on paper, and then throwing them into the fire. Many people will also jump over the fire and into the waves at midnight, believing that this will bring them good luck. They can also make a wish. If you have jumped the fire three times, then you are cleansed of your sins. Even if you go into the sea at night, you wash off the evil spirits. And did you know that by washing your face in the sea water, you are assured of beauty for a year?
Nowadays everyone mainly goes for the fun, and the traditions or rituals are primarily a way to have fun in good company! If you’re looking for the best parties in Spain, June 24 should definitely be on your calendar. In Alicante, for example, San Juan is celebrated with the ‘Hogueras de San Juan’. This party is very similar to Las Fallas in Valencia. Large images are also burned. The festival is also based on the tradition of burning all kinds of objects in bonfires to celebrate the arrival of summer. Today, the bonfires are used to burn dozens of specially made dolls, which satirically ridicule current events. All these papier-mâché dolls are burned on the night of June 24, called ‘La Cremà’.
10. Los Moros y Cristianos
As summer approaches, many towns and villages in Spain host an interesting celebration: La Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos (the Moors and Christians Feast). During this festival, the victory over the Moors is celebrated by the Christians. This battle took place in the 13th century. Large parades of people dressed up as soldiers and reenacting the battle take place through the Spanish streets. It is a story with a great historical and religious content. Each community tells a story in their Moors and Christians feasts about the struggle of the Christians against the Moors in their own community. This usually happens during the feasts of the patron saint of a place or during the summer festivals.
The Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos are celebrations with a long tradition. In all Moros y Cristianos celebrations the participants are split into two groups: Christian and Moorish groups. Both the Christian and the Moorish groups are dressed in traditional clothes that were worn in the Middle Ages. Furthermore, the performances during the Moros y Cristianos festivities are traditionally accompanied by different kinds of marching music, which are specifically designed for these festivities. The music is played on instruments that were also played in the Middle Ages: tambourines, flutes, castanets, trumpets and drums.
You can also put down your folding chair here, because the parade often lasts a few hours.
Moors and Christians festivals are held in more than 200 places in the regions of Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia, Castilla la Mancha and Catalonia. The largest and most beautiful parades can be found in Alicante, Alcoy or Villajoyosa.
Make sure you experience a procession of the Moors and the Christians in Spain sometime during the summer!
Learn more about the best parties in Spain
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If you have questions about local traditions, festivities in Spain, and other experiences you can look forward to, our knowledgeable team can answer any questions. We hope can enjoy the best parties in Spain soon!
