Festivals in Andalusia: Top cultural highlights not to be missed

Since the dawn of time, people have gathered in the towns and villages of Andalusia to celebrate, worship and commemorate. It is a time-honoured tradition that is as poignant today as it was when the first settlers started coming together. Famous festivals such as the Malaga Feria date back to 1487 when the Catholic kings, Isabella and Ferdinand reconquered the city. Others, like the Seville Fair, started in the mid-1800s with very humble origins and have evolved to become the spectacle they are today. Relive ancient traditions and discover the best Andalusia festivals to attend during July, August and September. 

The coastal towns and villages of Andalusia come to life each July with the celebration of the Virgen del Carmen. This religious feast day celebrates the patron saint of boats and sailors. It is held every year, on the 16th of July and a statue of the Virgen is carried through the streets until the procession reaches the beach. Each town has their own traditions which is one of the things that makes this one of the most special festivals in Andalusia.

Some towns leave the Virgin on the coastline while others place her on a fishing boat and continue the procession out at sea. Similar to the San Juan festival, Spain in June, the Virgen del Carmen feast day is a fun way to enjoy coastal life here in Andalusia. 

Travel back to the mystical time of the Moorish invasion of Andalusia with the Christian-Muslim Days in Huelva. This festival is celebrated each year in the town of Zalamea La Real on the 14th, 15th and 16th of July. It was born out of public desire to preserve the pivotal moment in the town’s history, in 1262 when the Moorish rule was passed over to Christian rule. Visitors to this festival can expect a Mediaeval display of reenactments, craft markets and street performances, all celebrating this momentous occasion. If you enjoy history this is definitely one to add to your Andalusia to-do list.

The Malaga fair is a week-long festival celebrated in the city of Malaga each August. The festival is usually held around the 13th of August and it commemorates the moment when the city became part of the kingdom of Castille. It is one of the biggest festivals in Andalusia during the summer months and rivals the popular La feria de Sevilla celebrated in the spring.

During the Malaga fair, the city is decorated head to toe in a colourful display of garlands and streamers and the locals don’t miss out either. You can expect to see people dressed in the typical attire of polka dot dresses for the women and white shirts with black trousers and braces for the men. During the day, the party covers the city centre with food stalls, street performances, and dancing. By night, the attention shifts to the fairground where locals let off steam on the exhilarating rides. Definitely, a must-see when you travel to Malaga.

Imagine visiting one of the festivals in Andalusia that has been declared to be of “National Tourist Interest of Andalusia”! This is exactly what you can expect for the Fiesta de la Urta in the coastal town of Rota in Cadiz. This four-day-long festivity has taken place on the first fortnight of August since the 70s and it celebrates the local delicacy, Urta (red band bream baked with vegetables). The town’s historical centre hosts a mouth-watering display of events ranging from cooking demonstrations, food stalls, street performances for kids and a competition for the prize of the “Golden Urta”. Don’t miss out on this Andalusia must-see event while enjoying a getaway in Cadiz.

The Roman occupation of Spain left behind some wonderful inventions. Aqueducts and straight roads are a couple of the most prevalent. However, garlic is perhaps the most treasured. This is certainly the case in Almachar in the Malaga province where they hold an annual white garlic soup festival on the first Saturday of September each year. The white garlic soup is a dish of touristic importance and in Andalusia, it is served cold, often with peeled green grapes.

The village comes to life as local musicians play traditional country music, Rocio choirs sing and flamenco dancers entertain the crowds. There are also tastings of the famous soup and the chance to discover how it is created, making it one of the top foodie days out in Andalusia. 

Jerez isn’t just an idyllic town in Andalusia, it also means Sherry in Spanish. This is thanks to the delicious fortified wine that is produced there. This area’s rich and vibrant wine-making history goes back for centuries so it is no surprise that there are festivals in Andalusia to celebrate it. One of the famous Andalusia things to do is to visit Jerez during the second half of September when the local winemakers showcase the year’s harvest. A tradition that dates back to the 1940s. Try your hand at crushing the grapes and learn about the elaboration process from grape to glass. Then, toast to the Andalusian traditions with a cold glass of Fino and a tasty plate of Spanish ham. What’s not to love? 

To round up the hot list, it only seems right to include the fair of Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes, a four-day-long family-friendly extravaganza. Venture to Conil de la Frontera during the first week of September and you will discover one of the best things to see in Andalusia with kids. The event starts with a religious mass and parade through the town but the fun really begins when the dance shows, the giant’s parade and the water parties get going. There is something for the whole family to enjoy as this fair also includes a showcase of local handicrafts, tapas tastings and flamenco shows. The event ends with a bang, as the festivities are brought to an end with a spectacular firework display. If you are visiting Cadiz, this is one of the festivals in Andalusia to keep your eye on.