Spring in Andalucia means festivals, fiestas, and unforgettable celebrations! From Semana Santa to the Feria de Abril, discover the best spring festivals that fill southern Spain with colour, music, and tradition.
By Liza S. | Updated 15 Apr 2025 | Andalucia | Events |
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Picture a place where the scent of orange blossoms mingles with the echo of flamenco guitars, where ancient religious processions share cobblestone streets with horse-drawn carriages, and where a million flowers transform hidden courtyards into living works of art.
This is springtime in Andalucia, Spain's sun-drenched southern region.
From the haunting beauty of Semana Santa to the jubilant atmosphere of Seville's April Fair, spring festivals in Andalucia aren't just events on a calendar – they're windows into the soul of Spanish culture.
Let’s discover 7 of the best spring festivals in Andalucia to inspire your next trip!
In my opinion, springtime is definitely one of the best times to visit Andalucia.
Spring brings perfect weather for outdoor festivities, and locals really know how to make the most of it! You'll find yourself swept up in swirling flamenco dresses, the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages, and the mouth-watering scents of traditional Spanish cooking.
These festivals aren't just shows put on for tourists - they're living cultural highlights that are breathing parts of Andalucian life. Each celebration tells its own story through unique customs, local foods, and authentic music that's been passed down through generations.
Even though I've visited Andalucia so many times, a few of these Spanish festivals are still on my own bucket list... you should definitely add them to yours too!
2025 Festival Date: Starts 13 April
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is a huge deal in southern Spain and you’ll find processions of different scales almost everywhere in the region.
But for the most elaborate celebrations, head to Seville and Malaga where the streets come alive as thousands gather to watch the haunting night processions.
Brotherhood members (called cofradías) carry massive wooden floats through winding streets, each one telling part of Easter's story through intricate religious sculptures.
You'll spot the iconic nazarenos in their pointed hoods and robes, walking alongside the floats in silent reflection. What makes these processions extra special are the spontaneous saetas - raw, emotional flamenco songs that break through the quiet night air.
Between processions, locals and visitors alike snack on traditional Holy Week treats like torrijas (think the best French toast you've ever had) and sweet, honey-drizzled pestiños.
Learn more about Semana Santa in Andalucia
2025 Festival Date: 24 to 27 April
As April turns to May, wine lovers gather in Córdoba for the Cata del Vino Montilla-Moriles in a celebration of the region's special wines that has taken place for over 38 years.
Over 20 local bodegas set up stalls throughout the city center, pouring glasses of their finest vintages made from Pedro Ximénez grapes.
Food stands offer perfect pairings - from salty jamón to creamy local cheeses - while sommeliers share stories about the unique qualities of Montilla-Moriles wines. The sound of guitar music fills the squares as visitors sample everything from crisp young wines to rich, aged varieties.
What makes this festival special is how it brings together Córdoba's wine and food traditions in one lively weekend. You'll find yourself chatting with passionate winemakers and friendly locals who are always happy to share their favorite food and wine combinations.
2025 Festival Date: 30 April to 4 May
When May arrives in Andalucia, many cities and towns turn into a wonderland of flowers during the Cruces de Mayo festival. The most ornate displays are typically in Granada and Cordoba.
Locals spend days building beautiful crosses from bright red and pink carnations, roses, and other seasonal blooms. Each neighbourhood puts their heart into the friendly competition for the most stunning display.
Walking through the streets, you'll spot these flower-covered crosses in plazas and courtyards, while the sound of guitar music and singing fills the air.
Local families gather around the crosses to share glasses of wine and bowls of chilled salmorejo.
The festival brings together religious tradition and springtime fun, as flamenco dancers perform next to the crosses and street musicians add to the festive mood. It's a perfect way to experience Andalucia's warm community spirit!
Learn more about Cruces de Mayo
2025 Festival Date: 6 to 11 May
After Holy Week wraps up, Seville gears up for its most famous celebration - the April Fair!
The fairgrounds burst with color as locals fill thousands of striped tents (called casetas) for food, music, and endless dancing.
Ladies twirl in stunning flamenco dresses while horse-drawn carriages clip-clop down the streets. What started as a simple livestock fair back in 1847 has grown into a two-week celebration that shows off the very best of Sevillano culture.
Inside the casetas, friends gather to share plates of tapas and glasses of chilled fino sherry.
The sound of sevillanas music fills the air as dancers show off their moves - from complete beginners to those who've been dancing since childhood. Even if you don't know the steps, you'll find yourself caught up in the infectious joy and welcoming spirit of this quintessential Andalucian party.
Get more details about Feria de Abril
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2025 Festival Date: 5 to 18 May
Each May, Córdoba opens its hidden treasures during the famous Patio Festival.
Behind the city's whitewashed walls, private courtyards burst with color as residents showcase their stunning flower displays. These patios, a tradition dating back to the early 1900s, fill with bright geraniums, fragrant jasmine, and cascading bougainvillea.
Owners spend months getting ready for the friendly competition, where judges pick the most beautiful patio displays.
As you wander from house to house, you'll smell orange blossoms and hear the soft splash of ancient fountains. Many patios host impromptu flamenco shows, while others serve up tasty local specialties.
What makes this festival extra special is how the locals welcome visitors into their homes, sharing stories about their patios' history while offering cool glasses of local wine.
Get more details about the Patio Festival
2025 Festival Date: 17 to 24 May
Every May, Jerez's streets fill with the sound of hoofbeats as the city puts on its famous Horse Fair.
This weeklong celebration shows off the beautiful connection between Andalusians and their horses - a relationship that goes back hundreds of years.
The fairgrounds buzz with activity as proud riders show off their skills on pure-bred Spanish horses. Ladies in colorful flamenco dresses ride sidesaddle while gentlemen guide their steeds through complex movements, keeping alive traditions passed down through generations.
Between the horse shows, visitors duck into striped casetas for glasses of local sherry and to catch flamenco performances in the pure Jerez style.
The mix of horses, sherry, and flamenco makes this fair a perfect snapshot of what makes Jerez special.
Get more details about Feria del Caballo
2025 Festival Date: 4 to 9 June
Every Pentecost weekend, nearly a million people make their way to the tiny village of Almonte, near the beautiful Doñana National Park.
This 13th-century pilgrimage brings together folks from all corners of Andalucia to honor the Virgin of El Rocío.
The dusty paths fill with pilgrims dressed in traditional flamenco outfits, some walking, others on horseback or in decorated wagons. As night falls, groups gather around campfires to share hearty meals and join in the rocieros - special songs that have echoed through these paths for centuries.
The highlight comes when crowds carry the Virgin's statue through the streets at dawn, with emotional cries of "¡Viva la Blanca Paloma!" (Long live the White Dove!) filling the air.
It's a raw, genuine display of faith and community that touches everyone who witnesses it.
Learn more about Romeria del Rocio
If you're planning to catch multiple spring festivals in Andalucia, I would start with Semana Santa in Seville, then stay for Feria de Abril.
From there, head to Córdoba for the Patio Festival. Finish your trip in Jerez with the Horse Fair.
As you plan your journey through Andalucia's spring festivals, remember that each celebration offers its own unique slice of Spanish culture.
Whether you're witnessing the solemn beauty of Holy Week processions, dancing sevillanas at a vibrant fair, or discovering secret flower-filled patios, you're not just watching traditions – you're becoming part of them.
Pack your most comfortable shoes, bring your camera, and most importantly, come with an open heart.
The magic of springtime in Andalucia isn't just in the festivals themselves, but in the way they bring people together, turning strangers into friends and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Buen viaje!
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Want more on Andalucia's fun festivals, fairs, and events? Click here to discover more Andalucian fiestas and read this article on the best festivals on Andalucia.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Get our FREE ebook: The Ultimate Andalucia Bucket List.
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Travelling to/around Spain and need some help? Here are my favourite travel resources.
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Looking for tours & activities in Andalucia? I usually use Get Your Guide to get tickets and book tours. Viator also has a huge catalog of activities and tours across many cities in Spain. Our Viator Shop has my top recommendations, all in one place!
Guruwalk is my favourite platform to find the best free walking tours in a city.
For last-minute holiday deals, check out Expedia UK.
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For money transfers or spending overseas in foreign currency, Wise is my favourite borderless banking service. I love their debit card that's without fees and always use it when I travel.
Travel insurance is a must to protect against emergencies and unexpected incidents. I personally use SafetyWing and you can get a no-obligation quote from SafetyWing here.
For an easy way to stay connected on the road, get an eSim from Maya Mobile. I personally use it and find it reliable. It's affordable and, best of all, you'll be connected the moment you arrive!
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San Juan on the 23rd June
Public Holidays in Andalucia in 2025
Festival of San Isidro Labrador - 15th May
