Guide to Andalucia > Destinations > Grazalema > Events > Calendar of local festivals

GRAZALEMA. Calendar of local festivals

Although Grazalema is rarely lacking an excuse to celebrate a fiesta, to head off for a walk in the mountains, or meet friends for a meal or a drink, the list of festivals through Grazalema's annual calendar underpins the social life of the mountains, the options for daytime pursuits and nightime diversion in the locality.

Romería (religious pilgrimage) de San Isidro. 25 May.

Last Sunday in May, celebrated in the Ribera de Gaidovar, at the beginning of the summer, and a great way to spend an agreeable day in the countryside.

Velada del Carmen. 16 July.

Celebrated during July, roughly the middle of the month, to mark the saint's day of the Virgen del Carmen. Usually held over a weekend.

The velada (traditionally, a night time soiree, sometimes musical) begins with two nights of flamenco performance, nights that are part of a long-held tradition, this year celebrating their 17th annual edition. These flamenco nights take place in the Plaza de la Asamblea (council square), situated in the upper vllage, with a display of folklore specific to the area. After the performances finish, celebrations continue around town at the mirador (viewpoint) de los Asomaderos, the mirador el Tajo and the streets and squares of the town centre, with food, drink and entertainment in various casetas, marquee-like venues, and street celebrations in preparation for the approaching lunes del toro de cuerda, in which a bull, ostensibly on a leash, is run through the streets of the town. This event is one of the oldest in the town (and happens in many others as well), and is at the core of the town heritage.

Fiestas Mayores de Grazalema. 20 August.

In the second half of the month, Grazalema is covered in woodland garlands and the town celebrates with music, dance and numerous outdoor activities for all, from the youngest to the oldest. Each morning there are games and fun with activities in the town plaza. After the juego de la silla (a folk guessing game), cucaña (pole balancing), carreras de cintas (mounted race), de sacos (sack race), tirada de la cuerda, and many others which ensure that the festival mornings are always very amusing. Festivities continue in the afternoon with the suelta de vaquillas, letting loose the young bulls, around the plaza and in the evening there's music in the various casetas around the square.

Virgen de los Ángeles. 08 September.

This day, the festival of the town patroness, is characterized by its distinctive procession in honour of the virgin. After the traditional route around the streets of the town, the procession continues to the hermitage where the statue of the virgin is kept for the rest of the year, a few kilometres from the town. This last stage of the procession, later the same day, is torchlit, and in the darkness of the evening the torches lend both the procession and the landscape an air of profound mystery.