Fiestas, feasts, processions, celebrations, fairs and many other events are held throughout the year not only in Calahonda and Andalucia but in the entire country. The Spaniards are famous for their festivities as there is hardly any day where nothing is being celebrated. Once a fiesta is coming close every town and village prepares itself with decorations for the upcoming shows and events. Tourists as well as locals strive to the hub of activity. Only Andalucia with its 800 something communities has more than 3.000 fiestas annually which gives you a rough idea on how keen the Spanish are on festivities.
The majority of fiestas, processions and celebrations are held around autumn and spring but there are also plenty of them during the summer. The feria for example that lasts one week and is celebrated by each town individually. Processions for each town’s patron saint also differ in the date.
As Andalucia is very much a tourist region, fiestas here mean party, party and party. While many locals celebrate the reason of the event, most people simply use the holiday or celebration to meet up with friends, to dance, to drink, to eat and to have fun. This usually continues until the early morning hours and can last up to one week.
The most important fiesta - at least for children - is the Fiesta de los Reyes which is on the 6th of January. This is the official date for children to get their Christmas presents, even though most children get presents on both the 25th as well as on the 6th. During the day there will be a parade with the three kings riding on horses or mules. Christmas time in Spain therefore lasts from Christmas Eve all the way through to the three kings.
Easter in Spain is an experience in itself. Amazing processions and parades can be watched and the most pompous statues with Christ and Virgin Mary are carried through the streets from and to the town churches. Celebrations are being held from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Millions of tourists come to Spain during the Easter week to join and watch this magnificent event.
Definitely an important part of the Easter celebrations are the "hermandades" - the religious brotherhoods. With the traditional robes and the cowls that cover their faces, the men are carrying the heavy statues slowly to their destination. A drum beat keeps the men in the right rhythm. Numerous candles are lit and drop wax on the streets which later is picked up by children who make a wax ball out of it. Every town has its own parade but those who want to see real splendour should go to Malaga which is famous for its processions.
Another celebration that is worth visiting is the Carnival which is held around Shrove Tuesday. Parades, contests, costumes, music, dances, food and drinks make this feast to a great entertainment. Some of the celebrations last over an entire week. The masks and fancy dresses are part of the carnivals attempt to break rules and liberalise instincts. It is a feast for people, where everyone can let themselves go.
A typical summer festival is San Juan, on the 24th of June but celebrations take place already on the 23rd. Fireworks, music and shows are provided to celebrate the shortest night of the year and the summer solstice. Coastal towns have bonfires on the beach, along with barbecues, music and dances. A tradition is to wash face and feet three times (or directly go for a swim or a paddle) in the sea right after midnight. It is supposed to bring good luck for the coming year.
The summer fair is also something that should not be forgotten. Each town has its own fair which lasts one week and is held between Easter and October. Shops, rides, dining and, of course, drinking venues along with shows and music make the night to a day.
| 
