J a n u a r y - Festival of the Toma
On January 2 the people of Granada commemorate the reconquest of Granada. Colourful processions take place with costumes from the period. The young people climb up in pilgrimage to the Tower of the Candle (Torre de la Vela) to ring a bell.
Festival of San Antón
On January 17 in Granada, the traditional Pot (Olla) of San Antón with a picnic in the country. In the village of Orce, a Moors and Christians parade and hoopla takes place.
Robo del Santo on January 20, in the village of Caniles, young people attempt to seize the banner that heads the procession.
F e b r u a r y - Festival of San Cecilio
February 1, a mass is said in the Abbey of Sacromonte along with gastronomic competitions!
Carnival
In Alhamar, Granada, including fancy dress.
M a r c h - Holy Week
During Holy Week there are spectacular processions such as that of Cristo de los Gitanos, which ascends in torchlight to the Abbey of Sacromonte.
Festival of Cristo de la Expiración
In the town of Orgiva (40 minute drive from Granada), two Fridays before Good Friday, there is a procession in Christ´s honour along with fireworks.
A p r i l - Festival of San Marcos
April 25 in the village of Loja, a festival in the country known as Atar el Santo (tie the Saint).
Festival of the Virgen de los Remedios
Held on the last Sunday of April in the village of Campotejar.
Festival of Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza
In the village of Capileira, a procession and fireworks take place.
Romerías de las Santas
On Pentecost Monday between the village of Huéscar and 24kilometres away, the village of La Sagra, the devotees of the Saints Alodia and Nunilón wade into the water carrying the statues on their shoulders exclaiming "Into the water, Holy Saints".
M a y - Crosses of May
On May 3 Granada is filled with crosses adorned with flowers. The crosses are judged on artistic merit and prizes awarded, street dancing is also part of the festivities.
Festival of the Mariana
May 25 sees Granada commemorating the death of Mariana Pineda with outdoor dancing and various cultural events.
J u n e - Corpus Christi
During the eight days which begin with the feast day of Corpus Christi, Granada stages three wonderful processions and street dancing.
J u l y
Festival of Santa Ana
July 25 in the village of Movilzar, there are Moors and Christians in the morning and afternoon, after the end of the second part, the Triunfo del Ave María is staged in which Christian generals battle the Moors, terminating in their conversion to the Christian faith.
A u g u s t - Romeria
On August 5 in the Alpujarra village of Trevélez a procession with picnic takes place to the peak of Mulhacén in honour of the Virgin of the Snow.
Festival of San Rogelio
August 14 in the village of Illora there are giants, 'huge heads' and Flamenco festivals.
August 15 in the Granada coastal village of Almuñecar, there is a sea-going procession.
On the penultimate Sunday in August in the Alpujarra village of Bubión there is the merrymaking of Christians and Moors.
S e p t e m b e r - Festival of the Santo Cristo de la Yedra
In the village of Valor, from September 12-15, Christians and Moors make merry in the village square where a Moorish castle is set up. There are no final winners, since the Moors win in the morning and the Christians in the afternoon!
Festival of Nuestra Señora de las Angustias
On the last Sunday in September in Granada a wonderful procession winds through the streets. The festival is known as the Day of the Virgen.
Romería of San Miguel Alto
On September 29 in Granada is the romería (pilgrimage) through the streets of the Albaicín (old quarter).
O c t o b e r - Feria Grande
On October 5 in the Alpujarra village of Cádiar, a wine fountain flows through the festivities!
Commemoration of the Discovery of America
October 12 in Granada there is an offering of flowers at the Monumento de las Capitulaciones.
D e c e m b e r
Festivities take place throughout Spain to see out the old year and welcome in the new.
Festival of the Carretá
From December 30-31 in the village of Cogollos de Guadix, the whole village sends the old year out by participating in the 'Carreta', an enormous bonfire built in the main square. On December 30 the young men, supplied with fish, bread and wine, go out to select a tree to be decorated by the local girls.
