The cold nights of Winter are offset by the days filled with bright sunshine and blue skies already here in Spain, with daytime temperatures already creeping up along the south coastline. Spain is truly wonderful for the clarity in seasonal change, and we know that Spring will bring heat and displays of blossom and flowers all over the country, what better time is there to escape?
So, what’s on in Spain for the coming months?
There’s always something going on – so with this month and next in focus – take a few days out and plan a visit to a Spanish destination, and combine your holiday with an event!
Flipping great!
The week before Lent, forget flipping pancakes for Shrove Tuesday in dismal UK weather, take a trip, and your pancake pan if you want, to sunny Spain and join in with the Carnival. February is a great party month. You have a week to grab a last minute cheap flight and pack your bags - 21st February is the starting date for carnival time, loosely based around the Rio de Janeiro event. So best Carmen Miranda hat and you’re off!
The biggest and the best ones are held in
- Cadiz
- Tenerife – of course great weather guaranteed in the Canary Islands!
- Barcelona
- Sitges – where the party is centered around the big gay community, and said to be the biggest, loudest and best carnival in Spain
Choose to find a base for your party whether you want a penthouse in Barcelona, a villa in Tenerife, or an apartment in Cadiz, and lots more choice as well – browse through our Spanish holiday rentals for your perfect place.
Tenerife Carnival.
Sherry time
The idea that sherry is an old ladies drink can be well and truly put to bed. Jerez is of course the only place to try it if you want an authentic experience, and what better time than this month. From the 24th of this month running up until the 10th of March you can join the crowds that will flock to the XVI Festival de Jerez and sip and slurp with the best of them.
Performances of Flamenco are the focus of the Festival and will leave you in no doubt that Jerez is not the only spirit …it won’t be long before you are swept up into the spirit and passion of Duende. Performances are held every night throughout the festival at 7pm and 9pm, all held around three different venues:
- Palacio Villavicencio
- Teatro Villamarta
- Sala Compañia
You can expect to see performances from such greats as:
- Rocío Molina
- Pedro El Granaíno
- Joaquín Grilo
- Manuel Liñán
- Antonio Rey
and many more…There are also courses, workshops and activities planned for the daytime so really all that remains is to find your ideal accommodation in Jerez – and guess what? We have just the place! Have a browse here and choose your perfect holiday home!
The man himself - Señor Byass
Trying out the Tapas
With a starting date a little earlier, the Seville Tapas Fair has already begun, but there’s nothing like being fashionably late! Anyway, don’t panic, there’s plenty of time – the lights don’t go out until the 21st of March - the Spanish do like a long party!
The focus of this Spanish shindig is of course, tapas, said to originate here. More than 50 local bars, café’s and hostelries will officially take part, with lots more joining in with the fun – all that you have to do is crawl the bars and eat and drink - how hard can it be?!
The Tapas Fair should not be confused with the Seville Fair, which takes place 2 weeks after Easter, beginning at midnight on Monday and runs for a full six days and nights ending the following Sunday – more Jerez to sip, more tapas to try…it has come a long way from it’s beginnings in 1847 when it started as a simple livestock fair - why not stay for both parties?…. and just remember to pack larger clothes and leave the scales at home!
I'll have a glass of the red on the top shelf please!
More food – farmer style…
Up in Catalonia you can go to the Festa de la Cloxta, held on the 26th of this month in Rasquera. Originally the name for a big sandwich stuffed with local food, tomatoes, garlic, salted fish – a dollop of local olive oil and the lid squeezed back on to retain all the flavour. Now a great excuse for neighbours far and wide to have a great big communal BBQ – bibs provided! It’s held in a different village every year so this year head for Rasquera, and squeeze yourself into a place at one of the trestle tables – see how much you get into your mouth rather than all over your clothes! The fun starts at 11am and carries on until the early afternoon, the Cloxta will set you back a mere 3€, typical great value of Spain.
Why not choose a river front apartment right on the River Ebro or a place in Rasquera itself?
The stunning Ebro Valley
March madness
If you’ re here in March then the one party that is really not to missed takes place in Valencia. More than just paella, this city is even more famous for it’s festivals which attract worldwide attention. The big one is Las Fallas de San José, which always runs on the same dates in March – 15th to the 19th. Read more about the Festival here.
Daytime sees fireworks, festivities, stalls, stands parades and parties, and come night time the Valencia skies light up with the burning of the Fallas, giant structures made of paper in the form of effigies, often sarcastic.
The many hotels in Valencia fill up quickly and are often overcrowded at this time, so do the clever thing and go for a self catering option instead, book up with one of the lovely holiday homes on offer with Spain-Holiday instead, and party in comfort! Look through this exhaustive range of accommodation in Valencia…
So, if you’re a party animal then Spain is definitely the place to be right now – fiestas were born here after all, whether you want to tap your toes to authentic Flamenco, or try out the tapas – don’t hesitate – your party invitation awaits!
