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February's Festivals and Holidays in Albox |
1st
February |
San Cecilio Fiesta
San Cecilio fiesta in Granada's traditionally gypsy quarter of Sacromonte. |
2nd
February |
La Candelaria Candlemas Festival Madrid
This is the celebration of the ritual purification of Mary which, as required by Jewish law, took place forty days after the birth of Jesus. Candlemas is February 2. Turtledoves, doves, candles and large cakes all feature in the procession held on this day. In Alcaudete de la Jara, Toledo, a group of soldiers make an appearance the following Sunday and parade through the streets. In Madrid, the traditional heifer-run has recently seen a revival, after having nearly disappeared after the Civil War. |
Week
before
Ash Wednesday |
The Crowning of the Carnival Queen
The largest, loudest, most dazzling and spectacular carnival on Tenerife takes place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife each year.
As with all the parties in Spain and the Canary Islands the local population spends months getting ready for the festival which is held the week before Ash Wednesday each year.
The crowning of the Carnival Queen starts the festival and this is followed by a large horse parade which involves a great number of specially dressed and prepared horses.
This busy weekend usually ends up as one large street party with loud music and dancing lasting well into the night.
One of the stranger aspects of the Carnival is its large cross-dressing theme. Nearly everyone involved is dressed as a member of the opposite sex! |
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February |
The Disguised Devils
La Endiablada. Cuenca, Castilla y La Mancha.
People of this village celebrate in this festival of prehistoric origin. The young boys of the town - dressed as devils, with large cowbells tied to their waists, and multicoloured paper hats, which are replaced later on with cardboard bishop mitres - run through the streets, dance at the entrance and inside the church, pretend to wash the statue of San Blas, and march in procession with it to the uninterrupted sound of the cowbells. |
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February |
Carnival Time
Most towns and villages in Andalucia celebrate their Carnival with some kind of parade or procession where local groups of funny men make up satirical songs about celebrities and politicians, which sends the whole city into a state of frenzy.
The most important Carnival is celebrated in Cadiz. Cadiz is a quiet and serene city on the Andalucian coast, except when it plays host to Spain's ultimate party. The fun began in the 17th century when the city tried to keep up with the decadent carnival celebrations in Venice. The crews of the Spanish galleons that brought back gold and silver to Cadiz from the New World also brought back a variety of musical influences that are still evident at today's Carnival. African and Creole rhythms, sambas and rustic Colombian tunes all intermingle in the streets with local Andalusian songs and traditional flamenco music. |
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February |
The Seville Tapas Fair
The Seville Tapas Fair is a chance to savour a feast of Spanish snacks in the world capital of tapas.
In Cadiz, Tenerife, Barcelona and Sitges it's Carnival time - huge celebrations involving fancy dress costumes and dance. |
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