Festivals in Puerto de Santa Maria

The carnivals in Cadiz province are in general a great event. Colourful, chirigotas and comparses, festivities in the streets with lots of diversion. They are taking place either in February or March.

Besides the carnivales, another important event is Easter, which is celebrated either in March or April. The days before and during the Easter weekend are commemorated in honour of the suffering of Jesus Christ, with great passion in Andalusia.

Spring Carnival - festival in Cádiz: fancy dress, colourful parades, and wild street parties. Usually ending on the Tuesday, 47 days before Easter.

Semana Santa - Holy Week in Spain. This takes place the week before Easter Sunday. This is one of the most important yearly celebrations in Spain. We have daily parades here in El Puerto, running from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

Feria de Abril - the April fair. A dramatic fiesta held in Seville, in late April. Everyone dresses up. The women look stunning in their flamenco outfits. Parties go on until the early hours.

Fiesta de Jerez - this takes place over a two week period in late April. It’s non-stop music and flamenco dancing. Also, on the first week-end in May, there’s the World Motorcycling Championships. Bikers come from all over the globe come to join the four day fiesta and fill the town with noise.

Feria del Caballo - the Horse Fair in Jerez. This takes place every year at the start of May. You’ll get the see the famous dancing horses of Jerez. It’s amazing what these beautiful creatures can do. Of course, there’s lots of sherry and partying too.

Feria Del Vino Fino - this is El Puerto’s local week of fiesta. It takes place in the middle of May. There’s loads of sherry drinking and “Sevillana” dancing - a form of dance that takes its rhythms from gypsy music.

Romeria del Rocio - third week in May. Up to one million people take part in the annual pilgrimage to the small village of Rocio, in Huelva province.

Hogueras de San Juan - a celebration of the start of Spanish summer. There are parties, bonfires and fireworks on beaches all around Cádiz. It takes place on the 23rd of June.

Dia de la Virgin del Carmen - The image of the Virgin Del Carmen (El Puerto’s Patron saint) is taken from the local church and brought down to the sea by the local fisherman. It’s then carried into the sea on a small fishing vessel. This takes place on the 16th of July.