Festivals in Granada

Granada spends a good part of the year out on the streets. Some festivals are religious, others commemorate its history and others are simply an excuse to get together, eat and dance. Several take place very close to the house, because the Sacromonte and the Albayzín host some of the events locals love most. Here they are, in the order they come round in the calendar.

Toma de Granada (2 January)

On 2 January the city remembers its surrender to the Catholic Monarchs in 1492. It’s an official celebration: the City Council holds a parade with the banner of Castile to the Royal Chapel, where Isabella and Ferdinand are buried, and the flag is waved from the town hall balcony. It’s also traditional that day to climb the Torre de la Vela, in the Alhambra’s Alcazaba, and ring its bell: they say whoever rings it will find a partner before the year is out.

San Cecilio (1 February)

San Cecilio is Granada’s patron saint, and his feast is celebrated around 1 February with a pilgrimage to the Sacromonte Abbey, at the top of our neighbourhood. Locals walk up the Camino del Sacromonte, spend the day around the Abbey and share food in the open air. It’s one of the most popular festivals of the year and a great chance to see the neighbourhood full of life. There’s more on the Abbey in our guide to the Sacromonte.

Holy Week (March or April)

During Holy Week (Semana Santa), processions wind through the centre, the Realejo and the Albayzín, and some cross the Carrera del Darro with the Alhambra above. For us the most special night is Holy Wednesday, when the Cristo de los Gitanos climbs the Camino del Sacromonte to the Abbey, between bonfires lit outside the caves and songs sung to it by the neighbours. It passes very close to the house, so it’s a night of big crowds and little room in the neighbourhood.

Día de la Cruz (3 May)

On 3 May Granada fills with flower crosses, mostly made of carnations, set up by associations, brotherhoods, schools and neighbours in squares, streets and courtyards. They’re decorated with embroidered shawls, ceramics and copperware, and there’s a party around them with music and drinks. Many people wear flamenco dresses. It’s a perfect day to wander the Albayzín and the centre looking for the prettiest crosses.

Corpus Christi and its fair (May or June)

Corpus is Granada’s big fair. Its date changes every year because it depends on Easter. On the eve, the Tarasca comes out: a figure of a woman riding a dragon, whose outfit is kept secret until that day, accompanied by giants and big-heads. On the Thursday there’s a procession through the centre, and for a week the fairground fills with marquees, paper lanterns and horses.

International Festival of Music and Dance (June and July)

Since 1952, the International Festival of Music and Dance has brought classical music, flamenco and dance every summer to venues such as the Palace of Charles V and the Generalife gardens, as well as many other spaces around the city. Seeing a concert inside the Alhambra on a summer night is hard to forget. Programme and tickets are on the festival’s official website.

San Miguel (29 September)

The festival year ends with the San Miguel pilgrimage, which climbs to the hermitage of San Miguel Alto, at the top of the Albayzín, above the old city wall. It’s celebrated around 29 September, with a down-to-earth atmosphere and some of the best views of the city. If you like the spot, there’s more in our guide to the Albayzín viewpoints.

Tips for staying during festivals

• Book well ahead. Holy Week, Corpus and the Festival weekends are the busiest dates of the year.
• Check the exact dates. San Cecilio, Corpus and San Miguel shift with each year’s calendar: check them on the Granada Tourism or City Council websites.
• Expect road closures. On the big days many streets are closed. It’s easiest to get around on foot or on the C34 bus. Read our guide to arriving by car if you’re driving.
• Make the most of the location. From the house you can walk to the Albayzín in about 10 minutes and to the centre in about 20.