MADRID – In Spain, countless ‘fiestas’ are celebrated. Every self-serious town or village has one or even more. But what is the best party? Clubrural wants to know about and organised the #MiFiestaesLaMejor (my party is the best) election.
In addition to the well-known ‘ferias’, the annual festivals in a municipality that are usually celebrated around the day of the Patron Saint, thousands of other festivals are celebrated in Spain. Usually, they are related to illustrious characters from a city’s past, to the typical crops harvested in the area, to important moments in local history or no one remembers the origin of a party but celebrates it every year exuberant.
Who will win the best party in Spain?
Moreover, here are the ten finalists who were ultimately chosen from all the proposals received:
- Batalla de las Flores, Cantabria
- El Adelantamiento, Andalucia
- Danza de los Zancos, La Rioja
- El Salto del Colacho, Castile and Leon
- Baixada dels Raiders, Catalonia
- Astures y Romanos, Castile and Leon
- Procession de ataúdes, Galicia
- Romería Vikinga, Galicia
- Festival de la Sidra de Nava, Asturias
- El Carnaval de los Indianos, Canary Islands
Because there can only be one winner of this third edition of #MiFiestaEsLaMejor, everyone can vote for which Spanish party is the best.
Moreover, to make voting more attractive, a weekend in a rural area will be raffled among all participants. You can vote until July 3. Thereafter, the best party will be announced the following day. Furthermore, the winner of the election can spend a few days in ‘casa rural’ Cas Sorribas in Forcarei, Pontevedra.
Batalla de las Flores, Laredo, Cantabria – August 26
On August 26, the streets of the Cantabrian town of Laredo in Cantabria are filled with spectacular floats decorated with flowers. The Batalla de las Flores in Laredo is one of the most popular festivals in Cantabria because of the music, the colours, and especially the millions of flowers in this ‘flower parade’.
The artworks were created during the ‘magic night’ before the parade. Then the flowers are cut and placed on the floats. Therefore, this way they do not lose their colours and freshness. Each of the carriages carries between 25,000 and 100,000 flowers in the most beautiful combinations, each dealing with a theme. Furthermore, the carriages are accompanied by children in themed clothing. As a result, the colourful and photogenic spectacle is well worth a visit.
El Adelantamiento, Cazorla, Jaén – September 27 to October 3
El Adelantamiento is a cultural festival celebrating the social, political, and economic progress made by the place between 1534 and 1606. The municipality of Cazorla, also elected capital of rural tourism in 2022, will be transformed into a medieval setting in which the inhabitants are the actors. Their clothing reflects the different social classes that existed: clergy, nobility, peasants, military, clergy, and humbler people. Furthermore, the music, food and drink, and parades offer something for everyone.
Danza de los Zancos, Anguiano, La Rioja – July 21 – 23
The ancestral rite of the Dance on Stilts is performed in honour of the patron saint María Magdalena in the municipality of Anguiano. This was originally done as people wanted to attract good harvests with these dances. The dance is performed by 8 men on stilts half a metre high. They dance through the streets of the municipality. Their clothing consists of a yellow skirt, a white shirt, and a multi-coloured vest. Castanets are their main accessory.
El Salto del Colacho, Castrillo de Murcia – June 19
The festival ‘El Salto del Colacho’ was declared a festival of tourist interest in 1996. Men who represent the devil jump over large beds set up in the streets and containing baby dolls. Moreover, the origin of this peculiar ‘baby jump tradition’ is not clear. However, some experts believe it could be a fertility ritual. The demons are dressed in yellow and wear red masks. The tradition says that the devil takes on the sins of children and gives them protection to prevent illness.
Baixada dels Raiders, Coll de Nargó, Lleida – August 14
This festival aims to commemorate the ‘raiers’ (rowers) who were responsible for transporting the timber from the Pyrenees inland across the Noguera Pallaresa River. On this day, boats are made from the logs themselves, and the raiers row downstream. And at the end of the route to the Pont de Claverol, hundreds of people wait for the boats. Then the traditional dance is performed.
Astures y Romanos, Astorga, Leon – July 22 – 24
The last weekend of July is the festival of the Asturians against the Romans. It is a commemoration of the conquest of the area inhabited by the tribes of the river Astura. It is a representation of life at that time and its war episodes. Therefore, it allows you to imagine yourself in the Roman era in Astorga for a few days. Furthermore, you can visit shows, a Roman circus or Roman parades.
Procession de Ataúdes, Santa Marta de Ribarteme, Pontevedra – July 29
The traditional festival of Santa Marta de Ribarteme is probably one of the most unique and slightly sinister festivals in Spain. Living civilians are carried to the hermitage in coffins on the shoulders of family or friends. It is, without doubt, one of the most special and oldest pilgrimages in Galicia. With this tradition, Saint Santa Marta is asked to heal a sick person or for an important event in their life.
Romería Vikinga, Catoira, Pontevedra – August 7
This Viking festival commemorates the defense of Galicia against the attacks of Norman and Saracen pirates in the 92 and 10th centuries around the River Ulla. With plays, music concerts, and Viking clothing, the people of Catoira recreate this episode in their history. The most famous moment during these celebrations is that of the Viking landing by the river that crosses the city of Catoira. The most famous function is that of anchoring the Viking ship in the river that crosses the city.
Festivali de la Cidra de Nava, Asturias – July 8 – 10
The Asturian drink par excellence is cider. That is why this drink deserves nothing less than a big festival. It is celebrated in the city of La Nava and revolves around traditional and local gastronomy. The main events of the festival are the ‘Best Natural Cider Contest’ and the ‘International Cider Pouring Contest’. The best pourer and the best natural cider are chosen and awarded a prize.
El Carnaval de Los Indianos, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands – February
These festivities commemorate the arrival of the Canarians from Latin America in the 19th century. An important moment is the ‘talcum powder guerrilla’. The streets of Santa Cruz de la Palma will be painted white, especially for this occasion. The celebration is a reflection of the special bond between Cuba and the island of La Palma at the time. The most striking thing during this carnival celebration is the clothing that the participants wear. With this, they brag about the riches brought from Cuba, such as gold. The islanders who emigrated to Cuba and later returned were called Indians.
