Gaucin Festivals
January 5th - Cabalgata de Los Reyes (Three Holy Kings/Wise Men). Traditional Spanish celebrations.
February (TBA) - Carnival. Featuring Chrigotas, fantastically costumed groups that humorously sing about current events. An all night party featuring an orchestra in also held in the main square.
February 28th - Andalucia Day. A public holiday for the Andalucia Region.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) - Religious events & processions leading up to Easter weekend.
Easter Sunday - Toro de Cuerda (Bull on a rope). Two bulls are let loose to run through the town, chased by the brave.
May (Last two weekends and days in between). Gaucin Annual Art Festival.
June 24th - Las Candelas de San Juan. A countryside celebration featuring traditional riding, dancing and feasting.
August (TBA) - Annual Fair. A 4 day event held in honour of Virgen de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows). Features Casetas (individually decorated marquees) which host small parties for dancing, eating, drinking, singing, etc.
Last Sunday in August - Romeria. The image of Santo Nino is taken in a procession from the castle to the site of his apparition for a rociera (flamenco) mass, followed by a party until dawn.
September (TBA) - Fiera de Santo Nino. A Mass is given to celebrate the apparition of the Holy Child. A party is then held in the main square featuring processions, music, dancing and feasting.
Colmenar Festivals
January 5th - Cabalgata de Los Reyes (Three Holy Kings/Wise Men). Traditional Spanish celebrations.
February 2nd - Fiesta of the Virgen de la Candelaria. Held in honour of the patron saint of the village. A procession takes place on the first Sunday in February, accompanied by a local band & folk singers, followed by fireworks.
February 28th - Andalucia Day. A public holiday for the Andalucia Region.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) - Religious events & processions leading up to Easter weekend.
May 3rd - Pipa Day. On this day the area celebrates two fiestas at once, that of Las Cruces (The Crosses) and that of "La Pipa", the traditional name that is also applied to the kidney bean. It is traditional to go out into the country to eat hornazo (bread filled with hard boiled eggs) on that date.
June 24th - Fiesta de San Juan. San Juan's night is full of bonfires, fireworks, music, dancing, sardines and bread. It's the welcome to summer, and its celebration takes place during the shortest night of the year.
Mid August - Feria de Colmenar. A 4 day festival where the village celebrates with live music, dancing, singing, competitions, exhibitions, eating and drinking.
Mid December - Mosto y la chacina (wine & sausage) fiesta. Colmenar is renowned for its cold meats & sausages and hosts a annual fiesta every December. During the fiesta visitors are invited to taste the best local produce accompanied by local wine free of charge. Sausage making contests are also held for the public whilst folk & contempory music continues into the night.
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