Festivals in Spain

Valencia’s biggest festival takes place every March in honour of San Jose, the city’s patron saint, and the arrival of spring. Locals fill the streets with towering papier-mache sculptures depicting famous personalities and traditional scenes, then burn them in massive bonfires across the city.

Join a trip with a stop in Valencia, where you can ask a local leader all about the festival’s rich traditions. Then, return at the end of your trip armed with fresh insights and a deeper appreciation – you'll feel like a local in no time.

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a week-long religious event at the end of Lent. Traditions vary across Spain, but most include a float of processions led by the local brotherhoods, marching bands and indulgent feasts.

In Andalusia, cities like Seville and Malaga are known for their grand processions and festive atmosphere, whereas Catalonia takes a more intimate approach, focusing on community and family traditions.

Every February, the coastal city of Sitges hosts one of Spain’s most electric Carnival celebrations, like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Expect costumes, lively street performers, all-night parties and parades with extravagant floats.

Just outside Barcelona, Sitges is the perfect pre- or post-trip stop for anyone joining an Intrepid adventure that begins or ends in the Catalan capital.

What started as a livestock fair in 1847 has grown into a week-long celebration of Andalusian culture. Seville’s April Fair is filled with sherry, feasting, flamenco dancing and horse-drawn carriages carting traditionally dressed locals through the streets.

Join an Intrepid trip that stops in Seville with a local leader who can introduce you to the city’s history and cultural traditions – including the story behind the fair itself. Then, extend your time in Spain and return to the festival in full swing.

Every August, the usually sleeping city of Bunol comes alive with more than 20,000 people in one of the world’s biggest food fights – La Tomatina.

Festival goers cram into the street to pelt truckloads of tomatoes at each other. And yes, that is the whole point. If you want to put a whole new meaning to painting the town red, the event is held right outside of Valencia.

Think La Tomatina, but swap tomatoes for wine. Every June, the town of Haro hosts La Batalla del Vino – a wine-soaked celebration where thousands in white shirts douse each other in red wine using water pistols, buckets and hoses.

Just a short trip from Madrid or San Sebastian, it’s a wild detour to add to your Intrepid adventure for a mix of chaos and culture. But be warned: this is not a spectator sport!

With many Intrepid trips starting or ending in Madrid, timing your visit to catch one of Europe’s biggest Pride celebrations is easy. Every June, the city comes alive for a week of high-energy events – from free concerts and high-heel races to street parties and a massive parade.

The heart of festivities is in the colourful neighbourhood of Chueca, where there is a non-stop celebration of identity and community, making for a special way to end a trip or get it started.

Every September, Barcelona comes alive for La Merce, a citywide celebration honouring its patron saint, Our Lady of Mercy. Expect days of street parties, giant puppets, live music, fireworks and cultural performances lighting up plazas like Placa de Catalunya and Paca San Jaume.

Wrapping up an Intrepid adventure in Barcelona? Dive into the festivities with your new travel crew – there's no better way to end a trip than with a citywide celebration.

Semana Grande is one of the Basque Country’s most anticipated events – hence the name ‘Big Week’. Every August, the Virgen de Begona and Basque culture are honoured with a week-long celebration of folk music, dancing, giant puppet parades, children’s workshops and friendly competitions.

Your local Intrepid leader can fill you in on the history and culture of the Basque Country, then bring that insight to the festival as you watch the traditions unfold firsthand.

What started as an honouring of San Isidro Labrador, the city’s patron saint, has evolved into celebrating the city’s culture. Fiesta de San Isidro happens in May and is celebrated by locals embarking on a pilgrimage to the Hermitage of San Isidro, people dancing the chotis in traditional costumes, and friends and family gathering to enjoy picnics and street concerts.

Want to get in on the fun? Maybe your local leader can teach you some chotis moves on a trip to Madrid – one of many perks of travelling with a local.