The Craziest Festivals In Spain You Simply Have To Attend

Spain is known for its celebrations of all things weird and wonderful. While its festivals range from crazy to downright bizarre, there are some that are definitely unmissable. No matter what time of year you’re travelling through Spain in a motorhome, there’s a festival celebrating something. These are the ones you need to add to your itinerary.

1. Running of the Bulls

A bit of a controversial event, the Pamplona Bull Run forms part of the San Fermin festival that takes place every July. Every morning for a week, courageous (or silly, some may argue) participants take to Pamplona’s streets to run ahead of a pack of bulls who chase them while onlookers cheer them on. The run is only 875 metres and lasts for only a couple of minutes, but it’s a highly dangerous affair, so we’d recommend watching from afar. Pamplona offers many other sights for motorhome travellers, from the fortified citadel Ciudadela, Michelin star restaurants and a superb archaeological museum.

2. La Tomatina

One of Spain’s most famous celebrations, La Tomatina has become something of a rite of passage for travellers to Europe. As you can probably gather from the name, this festival involves tomatoes, namely, pelting others around you with the vegetable. La Tomatina takes place in Buñol every August. Rumour has it the festival’s origins were accidental, starting when someone dropped a tomato in the town square back in 1945, triggering a giant tomato fight. Seal your valuables in waterproof bags, wear clothes you won’t mind getting soaked with tomato juice and get ready to see red!

3. Los Patios de Cordoba

Image: Xavier Estruch (own work), (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Los Patios de Cordoba is one of the most gorgeous little festivals in Spain. It celebrates courtyards as places of community and family life by putting on a competition to find the most beautiful courtyard in Cordoba. Every May, courtyard areas are decked out with spectacular flower displays that you can wander around in for free, with many Cordoban families essentially inviting you into their homes. It’s a beautiful and unique glimpse into an intimate space and the architecture of Cordoban homes. The city also has a wealth of other beautiful constructions for lovers of architecture to explore, from the Roman bridge to the Moorish style mosque.

4. Las Fallas

Image: Feisty Tortilla (own work), (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

This five-day festival takes place in the city of Valencia every March in the lead up to Saint Joseph’s Day. The inhabitants of different neighbourhoods construct giant puppets which go on display all over the city before being set alight. The largest of the puppets is burned outside the town hall in Valencia. Las Fallas involves much more than just burning these puppets, however. You can expect vibrant street parties, firework displays, parades and many unofficial celebrations such as paella contests. When you’ve had your fill of fire and food, hit the beach for some rest and relaxation.

5. Semana Santa

This spectacular religious festival is held over Easter every year in Seville and involves processions of white-robed, hatted penitents marching through the city’s streets. Members of local parishes carry pasos (sculptures depicting the passion of the Christ) from their churches to the Seville cathedral. Afterwards, enjoy a bite to eat and watch a flamenco at one of Seville’s many tapas joints.

6. El Colacho

You may not have heard of this one, but it’s definitely something to tell your friends back home about. El Colacho is part of the local Corpus Christi celebrations in Castrillo de Murcia and dates back to 1620. Every June, the men in the village dress up as devils and jump over newborn babies. It’s thought to cleanse the babies of sin, but to onlookers it can be downright bizarre. Join the locals lining the streets and watch the spectacle. Later, you can take your campervan to explore the Gothic wonders of nearby city Burgos.

7. Haro Wine Festival

Image: BigSus (own work), (CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

What is it with the Spaniards and throwing things at each other? We’re not complaining though, because in the case of La Batalla del Vino de Haro, the more you throw the more fun you have - and the less you’ll potentially remember! Held every June at the top of a mountain in La Rioja, the festival begins with a giant party before everyone heads down to the town of Haro for a “wine fight”. If you’re not all wined out afterwards, take a tour of the picturesque vineyards in Haro or road trip north to marvel at the Frank Gehry’s architectural masterpiece the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

Now you know Spain’s most fabulous festivals - which one (or more) will you attend on your motorhome holiday? Let us know in the comment section below!