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October Events In Spain
Here is a collection of great events and festivals you can discover in October. From what’s on in Madrid to Barcelona and over Seville to the pyrenees mountains.
‘CASTELLS’ COMPETITION (HUMAN TOWERS)
Tarragona celebrates the tradition of the ‘castells’ in spectacular fashion. This popular event involves people creating human towers up to a height of between six and ten tiers.
The main ‘colles castelleres’ (the associations or clubs of Catalonia’s ‘castelleres’ or castle-makers) can be seen in the Tàrraco Arena Plaza (the old bullring) in the longest, most competitive, and thrilling of these feats. The ‘castells’ (human castles) have been awarded the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designation.
Date: From Sep 28, 2014 to Oct 5, 2014
Place: Tarragona (Catalonia)
Cava Week
The Confraria del Cava brotherhood celebrates the Week of Cava, a whole week of activities, presentations, conferences, to promote Cava and its culture.
The festivities begin with the traditional crowning of the Cava Queen, who arrives at the ceremony accompanied by a royal court. After tasting the first pressings of the year’s grape harvest from the esteemed fellowship of Sant Sandurní, the queen proceeds to a ceremonial dinner held at Torre Ramona.
Along the way, tourists who attend are able to enjoy folk music concerts dedicated to the vibrant sounds of the Catalonia region, along with workshops and talks dedicated to appreciating the special qualities of Cava.
October 7th to 15th
Place: Sant Sadurní d’Anoia
FIESTA OF THE MOORS AND CHRISTIANS IN CREVILLENTE
From Oct 3, 2014 to Oct 6, 2014
Where: Crevillent
SAN SEBASTIÁN GASTRONÓMIKA
From Oct 5, 2014 to Oct 8, 2014
Where: Centro Kursaal. Palacio de Congresos y Auditorio
More information : http://www.sansebastiangastronomika.com
WINE-HARVESTING FESTIVAL IN CANGAS DEL NARCEA
When: Oct 10, 2014
Where: Cangas del Narcea
SUKKOT, FEAST OF TABERNACLES ENCOUNTERS IN THE JEWISH QUARTER IN TOLEDO
All year round Toledo celebrates a series of encounters which highlight the culture and the Sephardic heritage present in the city.
This is an ideal opportunity to discover the Sephardic legacy through guided visits to Jewish Toledo, concerts of Sephardic music, exhibitions, commemorations of popular Jewish festivals, open-door days in the synagogues, and delicious tasting events featuring the typical products of the Sephardic community in Toledo.
From Oct 9, 2014 to Oct 11, 2014
Where: Toledo
CATALONIA INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL – SITGES
The Catalonia International Film Festival, more commonly known as the Sitges Festival, is held every year in this town on the Costa Barcelona.
The festival specialises in horror and fantasy films, and is one of the most important events globally in these genres, which are becoming ever more important both nationally and internationally. In the different sections of the festival you will find the most eagerly awaited new releases and past classics (in the tribute and retrospective sections), along with short films and a broad range of complimentary activities. The main feature is the terrifying “Sitges Zombie Walk.” It is a unique congregation of zombies in the area surrounding the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (Town Hall square) and the beach. This is the time to leave film fantasy behind by dressing up and becoming a real zombie in search of the living.
Date: From Oct 3, 2014 to Oct 12, 2014
Place: Calle Joan Maragall 36
ARCHITECTURE WEEK MADRID
For seven days in October, architecture takes centre stage in the city of Madrid.
This event is organised by the Official Architects’ Association Foundation (COAM), and features numerous bodies, companies and institutions that have combined to offer a wide-ranging programme of activities related to architecture; everything from visits to buildings and guided routes, through to exhibitions, courses and lectures. There are also children’s workshops to enable younger visitors to learn more about the world of architecture in an entertaining way.
Date: From Oct 3, 2014 to Oct 12, 2014
Place: COAM-LaSede Madrid c/ Hortaleza, 63
SAN FROILÁN FIESTAS
The origin of these celebrations in Lugo goes back to 1754. Since then they have become one of the most important festive occasions in Galicia.
From 4 to 12 October Lugo holds its San Froilán Fiestas, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Two of the days stand out especially within the festive programme: 5 October, with religious celebrations in honour of the patron saint, San Froilán; and the following Sunday, known as “O Domingo das Mozas”, which is dedicated to traditional Galician costumes and folklore. Over the course of these days there are a series of parades through the city, with “big-heads”, brass bands, street markets and magic shows, juggling and street entertainment.
Children play a special role in the celebrations, with “San Froilanciño”, a range of activities organised for the younger ones including traditional games, chess competitions, theatre productions and the International Puppet Festival, where you can see the oldest puppets in Spain. The fiestas come to an end 12 October with the Medieval Fair: the Cathedral square and the area around the Roman city wall are turned into a typical Medieval market, with an array of jongleurs, knights, demonstrations of falconry and traditional trades, and, of course, a medieval banquet is also held. In the evening, a stunning firework display brings the celebrations to a close until the following year.
Date: From Oct 4, 2014 to Oct 12, 2014
Place: Lugo (Galicia)
FIESTA IN HONOUR OF SEAFOOD
In October, O Grove, on the coast of Galicia, celebrates its Fiesta in Honour of Seafood.
During the celebrations, fish and shellfish go on sale at special prices, prepared and served by town locals. The excellent regional produce attracts thousands of people every year, making this event a point of reference, and earning O Grove its nickname of “seafood paradise”. There is also music, traditional dance, competitions and sporting events, as well as seminars and exhibitions.
From Oct 2, 2014 to Oct 12, 2014
Place: Grove, O (Pontevedra. Galicia)
www.turismogrove.es/en/festivals/seafood_festival/
JAEN FAIR
Halfway through October, Fiestas in honour of the Patron Saint, San Lucas, are held in Jaén. This was traditionally an agricultural/livestock fair and takes place in an enclosure separated into stands and marquees, with a broad range of events.
Among these we should draw attention to the National Autumn Show jumping Competition, held at the Alameda Horse Riding Club, alongside the designated fairground. At the same time, there will also be a programme of bullfights the town’s bullring.
Date: From Oct 11, 2014 to Oct 19, 2014
Place: JAEN
La Tria de Mulats
October 13th
The selection of Espinavell is livestock fair held in Espinavell in the Calalan Pirinese mountains each year on 13 October. The horses are brought down out of the mountains after having a free range summer. The origins of the fair are uncertain but began just as a meeting between farmers and buyers in Mollo. Now it has become a long standing tradition in which the horse are lead down to the village to where the farmers will buy and sell, give awards to the best in various categories. If you long the outdoors and horses, this is an excellent opportunity to to enjoy a truly authentic festival.
http://www.valldecamprodon.org/CA/1869/agroalimentari/fires-i-mercats-/la-tria-de-mulats-d-espinavell.html
SPANISH “DOMA VAQUERA” CHAMPIONSHIPS
Horse lovers have a date at the Hacienda de la Albaida (in the city of Cordoba) to enjoy the cattle herding technique known as “doma vaquera”, the countryside, good food and flamenco.
During the day, visitors can attend magisterial classes, exhibitions of cattle herding, “acoso y derribo”, cattle shows… At night there are displays of horsemanship, flamenco fashion shows and live flamenco music.
This event also has a commercial area selling leather goods, a tailor’s shop, decorative items and produce from the different designations of origin in Cordoba.
Practical information
Date: From Oct 17, 2014 to Oct 19, 2014
Place: Córdoba (Cordoba. Andalusia)
LEÓN CATHEDRAL INTERNATIONAL ORGAN FESTIVAL
The León Cathedral International Organ Festival is held every year in this cathedral in the capital of León.
The event enjoys great national and international prestige, and features outstanding figures from the world of music. Its programme is now firmly established on the musical scene. It has been successful in disseminating musical culture and is now fully integrated in the social calendar. The next two months will see multiple concerts, including symphony orchestras, chamber groups and solo singers and instrumentalists.
Date: From Sep 19, 2014 to Oct 25, 2014
Place: Plaza Regla s/n
SAFFRON ROSE FIESTA
This event highlights the importance of saffron and the traditional culture of the Castile-La Mancha Region.
Consuegra , in the province of Toledo, celebrates the Saffron Rose Fiesta at the end of October. It aims to promote the cultural essence of Castile-La Mancha through its gastronomy, crafts, history and traditions. The event offers a highly varied programme, starting with the proclamation by Dulcinea and the Maids of Honour.
Especially outstanding during the celebrations are: the “Grinding of Peace and Love”, where a 16th-century windmill grinds wheat to make flour; the traditional La Mancha gastronomy event; the Saffron Rose harvesting competition, where participants have to separate the saffron from the flower in the least time possible; and a Folk Festival with groups from all over the Region. Saffron-producers are the main protagonists of this fiesta, which has been held sin 1963. Exhibitions, cultural activities and sporting competitions complete the programme.
Date: From Oct 24, 2014 to Oct 26, 2014
Place: Consuegra (Toledo. Castile-La Mancha)
BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Barcelona International Jazz Festival is held in November, and is one of the Catalonian capital’s best-established musical events.
Concerts are held on various stages such as the Palau de la Música Auditorium, the Barcelona Auditorium and the Espai de Danza y Música de la Generalitat de Cataluña, as well as some other concert venues. This year’s event will see performances by prestigious Spanish and international jazz musicians.
Date: From Oct 10, 2014 to Nov 30, 2014
Place: Barcelona (Catalonia)
CORDOBA: THE LIGHT OF CULTURES. A WATER, LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW IN THE ALCÁZAR FORTRESS IN CORDOBA
The Alcázar in Cordoba presents this nighttime show which reveals the monument in a different and surprising guise.
Visitors can take a nocturnal stroll through the history and culture of Cordoba in the beautiful setting of the gardens of the Alcázar fortress of the Christian Monarchs. The lighting, projection and sound techniques, in combination with the use of the water from the fountains and pools in the gardens, combine to produce surprising forms and effects.
Date: From Jan 1, 2014 to Dec 31, 2014
Place: Calle Caballerizas Reales s/n
EXHIBITION: SOROLLA & AMERICA
An exhibition that offers a new approach to the oeuvre of Valencian artist Joaquín Sorolla and the work he carried out in the United States.
After his first exhibition in New York, Sorolla travelled round several American cities and became the most important Spanish painter in America. This exhibition features works from his mature period, collected by the American elite.
The exhibition includes more than 100 artworks that reflect Sorolla’s most international side. It exhibits paintings kept in America before the painter arrived, portraits and paintings of beach and garden scenes.
Date: From Sep 26, 2014 to Jan 11, 2015
Place: Paseo de Recoletos 23 Madrid
Real Madrid – FC Barcelona,: The Clásico
October 25th
Tickets: www.realmadrid.com/en/tickets
You can find a complete events list www.spain.info.
Coming up in November…
All Saints Day November 1st
Football: Real Madrid v. Liverpool, Madrid, November 4th
Seville European Film Festival, Seville, November 7th-November 15th
International Kite Festival, Fuerteventura, November 6th – November 9th
Madrid and Granada: The month of jazz, with separate festivals dedicated to blue notes and syncopation, is held in Granada and Madrid
Bilbao: At the end of November, the Bilbao International Festival of Documetnary and Short Films is held
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