Best Region:
Basque Country and Navarra.
Why?:
It’s bulls and jazz in Basque country in July, with a number of encierros (bull runs), the most important being the Pamplona Bull Run at the San Fermin Festival (July 7-14). There is also a smaller bull run event in Tudela at the end of the month.
Jazz aficionados can enjoy the Getxo International Jazz Festival in the first week of July, one in Vitoria in the third week of the month and one in San Sebastian.
Festivals in July in Spain:
- June 17-July 31 (TBC), 2012 The Grec culture festival in Barcelona.
- June 22-July 8, 2012 - Granada's International Festival of Music and Dance.
- Early July to Late August, 2012 - Drama festival in Merida, Extremadura. Exact dates for 2012 to be confirmed.
- July 3-14, 2012 - International Guitar Festival in Cordoba.
- July 4-8, 2012 Jazz festival in Getxo in the Basque Country.
- July 6-9, 2012 The Dies de Dansa dance festival in Barcelona.
- July 7-14, 2012 Pamplona Running of the Bulls at the San Fermin Festival. See my advice on the Pamplona bull run as well as my article on planning your journey to the Pamplona Bull Run. This Pamplona Survival Kit will come in handy too and you might like to look at my pictures of the Pamplona Bull Run 2006.
Actually running with the bulls is not recommended. However, if you insist on running, read my tips on running with the bulls first.
- Second Week of July, 2012 - Bous a la Mar (Toros en el Mar), bull run to the water's edge in Denia, near Valencia.
- July 9, 2012 Hypnotik Hip Hop festival at the CCCB in Barcelona. Rap, graffiti and breakdance workshops.
- Second Saturday of July, 2012 Sword dance in Obejo
- July 12-15, 2012 Benicassim Rock & Pop Festival one of the biggest music festivals in Europe. On the mainstream side of the alternative music scene, featuring some of the biggest bands from the UK, the US and the rest of Europe.
- July 12-16, 2012 International Folklore Festival in Burgos.
- July 14-22, 2012 Jazz en la Costa in Almuñécar. Main program is from 17 to 22 but there are some advanced events from the 14th.
- July 16 (or nearest Sunday), 2012 Feast of Virgen del Carmen. Popular in Andalusia and parts of Madrid. Celebrations vary in style and timing throughout the country. On the Sunday is the 'naval battle of Vallecas', a giant water fight in Vallecas, a district of Madrid, starting at c/Peña Gorbea. See a video from the water fight or read about Virgen del Carmen in Andalusia.
- July 16-21, 2012 Jazz Festival in Vitoria, Basque Country.
- July 18-31, 2012 - Festival de Segovia. Music festival in Segovia.
- Middle of month - Avila, near Madrid, hosts a large festival of bullfighting and music.
- July 19-23, 2012 Jazzaldia Jazz Festival in San Sebastian.
- July 20, 2012 Red Bull X-Fighters Bike stunts at the Madrid bullring.
- July 20-30, 2012 One of the biggest windsurfing events on the international calendar, in Fuerteventura.
- July 22-23, 2012 - stilt dancing at the Danza de los Zancos, La Rioja, Anguiano, Rioja. Dances take place after mass, at around midday.
- July 23, 2012 (TBC) - the Casabermeja Flamenco festival. The festival has been declared of National Tourist Interest for the quality of its music.
- 23 July to end of August (approx), 2012 Concerts and theatrical performances in Madrid to celebrate 'Veranos de la Villa' (Summer in the City).
- July 25, 2012 - Apostle's festival in Santiago de Compostela.
- July 25, 2012 Bull running in Tudela.
- Around July 26, 2012 Festival to celebrate the feast of Santa Ana. Bars line Calle Betis, a street in Triana in Seville. On July 26 there is a special mass and religious procession.
- 29 July, 2012 Bizarre 'Near-Death Festival' in As Neves. Those who have had a brush with death in the past year are carried through the streets in coffins to thank Saint Marta, the 'patron saint of death'.
