TRADITIONAL CELEBRATIONS

As we know, the Spanish fancy a party every now and then. In fact, almost every season there is a traditional party to visit. Also on our blog or social media we regularly post something about it.

Spring is the time of the 'Romerias'

also called the pilgrimages. Then people first go to an old chapel, usually located in the surrounding hills. They attend a short miss and after that - for most the more important part - they barbecue, drink and party in the open air.

It's a fantastic celebration to experience and guests are always welcome. The romeria of PerarrĂșa is always on the first Saturday of March and the one of Graus always on the 1st of May, no matter which day of the week it is. 

Celebrating Easter in Spain

is something special. You should definitely experience once in your life. In Spain it is a very important festivity. These days the Spaniards go out to celebrate the beginning of the summer.

In Graus, Barbastro, Zaragoza and other villages and towns there is a lot to do: parades, activities for children, performances, parties and so on...

'Les Falles' fire festival of SahĂșn is cultural heritage

and is celebrated in the night of San Juan (June 23). 'Les Falles' is one of the oldest traditions in the Ribagorza, where the inhabitants of SahĂșn make original torches of bark.

The ritual is very impressive to see. Young men and women deftly turn the fire torch around them and small pieces of "albĂĄ" (birch) are splashing in the air.

The festivity is passed on from generation to generation. Besides the fire torch spectacle, there is a bonfire on the square, you can see traditional dances and taste local products.

Traditional dances during 'Ball de BenĂĄs'

The feast of Benasque is celebrated on June 30 in honour of San Marcial. On this date, the "Ball dels omes" is performed, a traditional dance by men, consisting of 3 parts. The next day it is the turn of the women with the "Ball de les donnes". 

It is a very colourful celebration with flowers and costumes. Families and friends are on the streets of Benasque. They eat and drink together and enjoy the summer weather. 

Village summer parties

In summer, all villages in the region organise their own village parties. Every weekend it's the turn of a different village. For the youngsters, this is their way of going out in the summer.

The party week of PerarrĂșa (4 or 5 days) is always the weekend closest to the 26th of July. This is the date of Santa Ana, the patron saint of the village. Normally the village has lots of visitors these days.

The festival opens with a village dinner for 150 to 200 people in the square. Other activities:

  • The traditional mass and procession with afterwards vermouth and tapas
  • A football tournament and a Guiñote-card tournament (like 'Jass play')
  • The pasacalles: a marching band that passes along all houses
  • Dance acts with live music and DJs. Spaniards don't mind a whole night of partying, on Saturday night the DJ starts at 06:00 a.m. ...

Festival Nocte in Graus

In the summer, the cultural festival 'Nocte' takes place, usually in the first week of July. Four days long there are all kinds of performances and activities in the streets and theatres of Graus. All ages can participate.

The wine festival in Barbastro

is being celebrated (since 2000) during the first weekend of August. Barbastro is the capital of the Somontano wine region. During this festival you can participate in wine tastings and visit wineries.

In the evening there is a food festival where several restaurants serve tapas on a large festival site. The evening ends with performances by various acts and bands in the bullfighter arena.

'Las fiestas' of Graus

are from 12 to 15 September. During those days, villagers and visitors can enjoy the passion for tradition and festive rituals. The streets and squares of Graus are filled with the sound of bagpipes, dance in original costumes, satire, acts by figures like the 'big heads' and 'giants' and much more.

During las fiestas there are public performances and gatherings. Families and friends celebrate their day off with an extensive lunch and drinks on the terrace.

Christmas and New Year's Eve

The Spanish people celebrate Christmas with the family. On New Year's Eve, they spend with friends at home or in a restaurant until midnight, after which they go out. The tradition of eating 'grapes for good luck' is being honoured in Spain: the moment the clock strikes 00:00, everyone has to eat a grape at every strike, for 12 seconds. If you succeed, it brings happiness in the coming year. 

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