Spain This Summer: Fiestas, Celebrations, Events

Fires of San Juan (Alicante)
-Celebrate the start of the summer in Alicante (Comunidad Valenciana) from June 20th to June 24th. The Bonfires of San Juan are a visual ode to fire, featuring various works of impermanent art including bonfires throughout the city, as well as enormous cardboard and wooden figures that go up in flames on the night of San Juan. Complete with costume processions and musical performances, this celebration will become a pleasant highlight of your travels through the region. From June 25th to June 29th the city comes alive with a medieval market and a range of theatrical shows and performances in the historical centre. Alicante is easily accessible by car from Valencia.

The Battle of Wine

- Sommeliers and beyond cannot miss the renowned Battle of Wine -- Batalla del Vino -- on June 29th in the town of Haro, in La Rioja region of northern Spain. Also known as the feast of San Pedro, the festival is rooted in a 10th century dispute with the nearby village of Miranda de Ebro over the ownership of some local crags. Today, the event is a fun-filled happening that kicks off with a mass, and then a friendly battle that uses thousands of liters of the tasty local Riojan wine. After the participants are soaked to their feet, everyone shares tapas and more delicious wine in Plaza de la Paz square.

San Fermin Fiestas

- From July 6th to June 14th the city of Pamplona welcomes thousands of people for the adrenaline rush of the San Fermin Fiestas, that feature the running of the bulls. During the 9-day long fiesta, visitors and locals alike dress in red and white to enter the non-stop festivities. Starting on July 7th at 8 am sharp, the doors of the Santo Domingo corral open, and hundreds of people run in front of the bulls for about three minutes - 825 meters. The world-famous event also features daily parades of "giants and big-heads" through the centre of the city for the little ones to enjoy, as well as open-air celebrations, concerts, dance exhibitions and, of course, bullfights. San Fermin concludes on July 14th at midnight with the crowd singing "Pobre de Mi" at the candlelit Town Hall Square.

Medieval Theatre Festival

- Theater buffs will enjoy the Medieval Theater Festival in the city of Hita (province of Guadalajara) that starts on July 7th. Complete with performances of classical theater, processions, music, and dancing, the event is a unique glimpse into the sound of the ancient instruments and the flavors of medieval fare. The fiesta also features several carnival processions and the running of the bulls event. Hita is less than 90 minutes outside of Madrid by car, making the event a perfect day trip option.

Natural Cider Festival

- The city of Nava in the Asturias region invites you to its Natural Cider Festival from July 6th to July 8th. Held annually since 1969, the festival is anticipated and loved by thousands around the country. Enjoy the festivities that include concerts, exhibitions, theater performances, and, of course, free cider tastings! Wear a green handkerchief around your neck, and you can drink all the free cider you want all weekend long. Thousands of liters of cider later, the fair concludes with the International Pouring Competition.

Renaissance Festival

- From July 19th to July 22nd the city of Tortosa in Tarragona will take you back to the daily life of a 16th century town. The Renaissance Festival transforms the town as the streets and facades are decorated with tapestries, rugs, flaming torches and banners. The Tortosa locals dress in exuberant period costumes, showing off the rosettes that represent the colors of their respective neighborhoods. The festival attracts over 3,000 participants every year. Restaurants serve Renaissance recipes and streets are filled with period performances by artists and actors. One of the main events, the so-called "Parade of Arms in Honor of the Fla