Five of Spain’s most interesting (and fun) summer festivals

Spain is famous for its summer fiestas – and for good reason. Every single village and town in the country has its own annual holiday, where young and old come together to party. And boy, do they party! These lively events are probably the most important calendar days in the daily lives of locals, and we’ve put together a list of some of the most unique: from wine fights to baby jumping.

La Batalla de Vino (Haro, La Rioja)

Dive into the wine-soaked revelry of La Batalla de Vino, where participants drench each other in red wine from water pistols atop a mountain. Celebrated on the Feast of St. Peter at the end of June, this vibrant event combines traditional rituals with modern fun, creating an unforgettable experience amidst the picturesque backdrop of the Spanish wine country. 

El Colacho (Castrillo de Murcia, Burgos)  

Come late May or early June, witness the intriguing Baby Jumping Festival, El Colacho – where men dressed as devils leap over rows of babies (yes, real human babies) lying on mattresses in order to cleanse them of sin and ensure good health. This unique and centuries-old tradition offers a fascinating glimpse into Spanish folklore and cultural practices, and is an event unlike any other in the world.

La Tomatina (Buñol, Valencia)

Join La Tomatina, where participants engage in a massive food fight – hurling ripe tomatoes at each other and turning the streets into a sea of red. Playful and chaotic, the event is held sometime in late August. The fight first kicks off with a tradition known as palo jabón – where participants try and climb a greasy pole in order to be the first to touch the Spanish ham attached to the top! If we can give you one piece of advice, it’s to bring goggles – or even a snorkel – to this fiesta.

Correfoc (Various cities, Catalonia)

Unleash your inner pyromaniac at Correfoc: a fiery Catalan tradition celebrated in towns across the region during the summer. Here, participants dressed as demons dance through the streets, wielding fireworks and sparklers that light up the night sky. Join the revelry, but be prepared to dodge sparks and flames as you immerse yourself in this exhilarating and unforgettable experience.

Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme (Las Nieves, Galicia)

Held on July 29 in a small village that borders Portugal, this unique event translates as the Festival of Near Death Experiences. It pays respects to Santa Marta – the patron saint of resurrection – and sees people who have narrowly avoided death carried in open coffins to the church to give thanks for their survival. It’s a surreal and deeply moving fiesta, and despite its morbid theme, transforms into a vibrant party afterwards (because Spain).

_📸 Alfonso Bermejo Garcia. Creative Commons.