As any city, Granada has its own festivities and customs of its inhabitants. Marked dates that all Grenadians await with enthusiasm and in which the entire city is paralyzed to give way to tradition, custom and populism.
For tourists and visitors, all these popular festivals in Granada also constitute more things to see and do in Granada, and here are the best known and most popular ones.
The popular festivals that you should know if you are going to visit the city:
These are the most important festivities in Granada that you cannot miss:
Brotherhoods and Brotherhoods prepare all year round for their biggest week, Holy Week in Granada. A show that in addition to locals, attracts many tourists and visitors.
The neighborhoods of the center, Albaicín, Realejo, Zaidín … are adorned to process their saints through their streets, the streets are crowded with people and everything is flooded with the smell of incense and orange blossom.
If you are going to come to see Holy Week in Granada, we advise you, above all, to book with your accommodation as far in advance as possible, as well as to find out which are the most popular processions in the city, their routes and their schedules.
Surely “La Borriquilla”, “El Cristo de los Gitanos del Sacromonte”, “El Cristo del Silencio” that passes through the Carrera del Darro, or the procession of Santa María de la Alhambra, which starts from this monument and passes through the narrowness of the Puerta de la Justicia and reaches the city.
Coinciding with the national holiday of Corpus Christi (about June), that same week and from Saturday to Saturday, it is the week of the Corpus Christi Fair in Granada.
This is held at the fair, located on the outskirts of the capital, in the Almanjáyar neighborhood. New urban bus reinforcement lines are added and schedules are extended so that all Grenadians and Grenadines can spend a pleasant time at the booths, stalls, bullfighting parties or fair attractions.
It should be noted that on Wednesday of that week, La Tarasca goes out in procession. And what is La Tarasca? Well, it is a mannequin that crosses the streets of the center of Granada as a non-religious procession, on a dragon throne and surrounded by big-headed giants. She wears a different outfit every year and it is said that it will be the fashion that will be the next season.
On the other hand, on Thursday of that week the day of Corpus Christi is celebrated with the procession of the Blessed Sacrament from the altar. And on the last day of the week, Sunday, a small procession is held around the cathedral, which is known as Octava del corpus.
Unlike the Corpus Christi that is celebrated at the fair, the Fiesta de la Cruz can be said to be the daytime fair in the center of Granada.
The squares, patios, bars and streets of the center are adorned with crosses, flowers, traditional objects and mantillas, and people take to the streets to eat, drink, listen to flamenco, watch cante shows and dance Sevillanas.
Decoration is awarded in three categories: patios, schools and shop windows.
The May Crosses festival in Granada, which is celebrated on the May Bridge, is undoubtedly one of its most traditional and traditional festivals.
San Cecilio is the patron saint of Granada and is celebrated on the first Sunday in February.
In addition to touring the Realejo in procession that day, the catacombs are also visited in pilgrimage, the Sacromonte Monastery and an official mass is celebrated.
Also, in the mountains, between songs and popular dances, free beans and saladillas are distributed.
The Virgen de las Angustias is the patron saint of Granada and is celebrated on September 15, the day on which the floral offering is made. And on the last Sunday of the month, the Virgin leaves in procession from her church located in the Carrera de la Virgen.
On the day of the procession, the center of Granada is filled with stalls offering a wide variety of autumn fruits and the traditional Torta de la Virgen.
September is therefore the best date to visit the Basilica of the Virgen de las Angustias, since it is when it looks completely decorated.
On January 2, the conquest of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492 is commemorated.
Currently it is a local holiday, although every year it opens new controversies in the city about its celebration.
Official events are also held in the Capilla Real, where the Catholic Monarchs, Isabel and Fernando are buried, and in the Town Hall.
This festival is celebrated on January 17 of each year and bonfires are made in many neighboring towns to the capital that enter into a competition.
In addition, at this time it is typical to eat the pot of San Antón, a stew made with beans and dried broad beans that is great to combat the cold of Granada.
It is a tradition throughout Spain to make a bonfire on the beach at night and stay quietly until dawn, and this is no less in Granada, since the Granada coast is about 60 km by highway from the capital.
For this reason, towns such as Almuñecar, Motril, Salobreña … are crowded tonight with people from Granada celebrating this holiday.
In addition, this same day the Water Festival is celebrated in the town of Lanjarón.
Like all cities, when Christmas arrives, the streets and squares of Granada are dressed in lights, lights, Christmas carols, stalls and Christmas decorations.
In Granada it is also popular to see roasted chestnut stalls on every corner, which are a delicacy and also help alleviate the cold that accompanies the city at this time.
Also lately we can enjoy the Noria located in the Plaza del Humilladero.
Christmas is one of the most beautiful dates to walk through the center of Granada.
Spain, Andalusia and Granada … It is impossible to eat badly with this combination!
In Granada we also have fresh products from the orchards of the Vega de Granada, tropical products from the Granada coast and a host of traditional dishes.
But among the most popular dishes in Granada, as well as pastries or food and that you should try at least once during your visit, are:
Of course, the best known of Granada’s gastronomy are tapas, which can be found in any bar in the city with your drink and already included in the price.
There are bars that allow you to choose it and there are bars that already suggest them, and among the most common are the potato omelette, the migas, the fish fry, the loin thread with cheese, the meat in sauce, the croquettes, paella, the cut of sausage, cheese, hamburgers …
In addition to the popular festivities that we have discussed above, where activities of worship and various customs are carried out (Feast of San Cecilio, Day of the Taking of Granada, Feast of the Virgen de las Angustias, Holy Week, Day of the Cross, Corpus, San Juan …) Granada is full of events throughout the year.
Although the best known and most popular annual events in Granada are the following:
You see how the culture and traditions of Granada occupy a wide space both in the capital and in the province. How many events did you know?
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