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Los Reyes Magos 5 - 6 January
Los Reyes arrives before dawn on January 6th. January
6 is called Epiphany and is traditionally the day
in which the three kings arrived bearing gifts for
the Christ
child. Even to this day in Hispanic countries throughout
the world, January 6 is the day that children receive
their Christmas gifts.
In Sanlucar this event is
celebrated by a procession of floats through the
town in true Disney style with children throwing
sweets
to the thousands attending the procession. The
6th is a national holiday.
Photographs of Los
Reyes Magos in Sanlucar |
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Carnival: Feb
As
elsewhere in the Catholic world, carnival is celebrated
before the 40 days of Lent. Most Andalucian towns
stage some kind of parade, and there is usually a
dance and a "Carnival Queen" contest.
Carnival occurs on 2 evenings in Sanlucar with the
children's parade through the town on the Friday
and
the adults take over on the Saturday evening. In
Cadiz province the most famous Carnivals are held
in CADIZ
and CHIPIONA.
Carnival
pictures |
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Semana Santa:
The
Easter week processions compete with one another
in luxury and splendour. The parades leave each of
the town's churches to wind slowly
around the streets, with their lifelike statues of
Christ on the Cross and his mother the Virgin Mary
in mourning. The processions are organised by the
religious brotherhoods, representing guilds
of tradesmen or other groups. They spend all year
long preparing the elaborate costumes and decorations.
This is a serious fiesta and fireworks are not permitted.
Drinking and celebrating
is still frowned upon by many.
The processions take place
during the week leading up to Easter Sunday. (April
16th 2006). The best days are Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Saturday.
Easter Sunday
itself has less intensity generally.
Semana Santa in Sanlucar |
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Divina Pastora procession:
This is a special procession as the convent of Capuchinos is at the top of the
street where we live! Cuesta de Capuchions is decked with lights for the week
and ends with one of the most spectacular fireworks display in Sanlucar. Tickets
available for our roof top patio....!!! |
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Feria de Manzanilla:
A lively fair dedicated to Manzanilla which is a special dry sherry wine produced
in Sanlucar de Barrameda. This intense fair which is organised by the town council
and supported by the local wine producers. On the first date Tuesday evening
the Feria lights are switched on and the Casetas open, but this is a more relaxed
affair and the real feria commences on the Wednesday afternoon.
Sanlucar
Feria de Manzanilla page |
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El Rocio
Perhaps the most spectacular is the one devoted to the Virgen del Rocío,
popularly called "El Rocio" for short. Over a million people from all
over Spain and Andalucia make the long journey to gather in a small hamlet of
El Rocio in the marshlands of the Guadalquivir River, where the statue of the "Madonna
of the Dew" has been worshipped since 1280. The pilgrims come on horseback
and in gaily decorated covered wagons from all over the region, transforming
the area into a colourful and noisy party. The climax of the festival is the
weekend before Pentecost Monday.
El Rocio pictures |
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Corpus Christi:
Corpus Christi (the Catholic feast celebrating the presence
of the body of Christ in the holy water) is held in May,
beginning on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. A solemn
and magnificent procession bears the consecrated host through
the streets. |
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Jazz Festival in Sanlucar de Barrameda: |
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Procession of Virgin del Carmen (Bonanza): & (Bajo Guía):
Protectress of seamen, fishing villages of the coast parade their statues of
the Virgin del carmen by the water, and here in Sanlucar set sail for Chipiona
to
way
a
wreath
at the harbour entrance. |
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Certamen de Cante Flamenco "Noches de Bajo
Guía": Saturdays in July, August & September.
Flamenco singing and dancing competition held throughout Sanlucar. |
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Antiques fair in Sanlucar: On the Calzada during
August |
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International classical music festival "A
Orillas del Guadalquivir" (The banks of the Guadalquivir):
August |
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CARRERAS DE CABALLOS:
August
Horse racing on the beach. This event has been declared a tourist/sporting event
of international interest. It is one of the oldest horseracing competitions in
Europe and is held annually along the beach by the Rio Guadalquivir.
Images of the Sanlucar
horse racing |
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Romeria de la Algaida: October
Procession celebrating the growing of all fruit and
vegetables in the nearby town of Algaida. |
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Sanlucar day: 18 October
Sanlucar closes down for the festival of the towns'
name. Bars and restaurants will be open but all shops
and supermarkets close for the day. |
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Feria de la Tapa:
Tapas festival in the streets of Sanlucar, taste some new tapas dishes from
the many Sanlucar tapas bars and from bars that come in from Rota, Chipiona and
other
places surrounding Sanlucar. |
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All saints day: 1 November
Fiesta of all saints, "todos los santos" are celebrated in the fruit
markets of Cadiz and the surrounding villages. A National Holiday in Spain. |
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Horse racing week: December
Horse racing on the beaches of Sanlucar, races are competed by children
and teenagers. This generally takes place on the Bank Holiday dates around
the
6 & 8 of December. |
All dates are subject
to change - TBA and month means date of event
to be arranged but will be held in the month mentioned. |
