Starting with Tres Reyes (three Kings) in January, and finishing with Navidad (Christmas) the Spanish calendar is full of ferias and fiestas.

What's the difference between a feria and a fiesta?

Well fiestas are feast days, either religious or constitutional. Some of them are celebrated nationally (ie Constitution Day, or Andalucia Day) whilst others are specific to a particular town, village or even profession (San Luis, Virgen del Carmen etc). Quite often the fiestas coincide with a bank holiday, either national, regional or local.

Ferias, on the other hand, are fairs or celebrations. Every town or village in Spain has an annual fair normally three or four days long, but in the case of some of the bigger ones, like Malaga, they can be one to two weeks. These are traditionally events where everyone can let there hair down, and are marked by funfairs, musical events and, of course, lots of eating and drinking. They can also be cultural events, Manilva's annual International Festival being a good example.

Calendar

NEW YEARS DAY - 1st January*

THREE KINGS (TRES REYES) - 5th/6th January* details here...

ANDALUCIA DAY - 28th February* As this falls on a Sunday this year, the public holiday will be on Monday, 1st March.

CARNAVAL - February/March - varies

SEMANA SANTA - Easter. This year (2010) Palm Sunday falls on 28th March; Holy Thursday on 1st April; and Good Friday on 2nd April.

MAY DAY - 1st May*

NOCHE DE SAN JUAN - 23rd June
Midsummer celebrations on the beach in Sabinillas details here...

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL - Dates to be advised
A chance for the different nationalities and cultures in Manilva to get together details here...

ROMERIA IN HONOUR OF THE VIRGIN OF FATIMA - May/June date varies

VIRGEN DEL CARMEN - 16th July*
The local fishing community's homage to their patron saint details here...

MANILVA DAY - Dia de Santa Ana - 26th July*

SUMMER FAIR - During the first half of August, dates to be advised.
The highlight of the summer. Instead of the three small fairs held in Manilva, Sabinillas and Castillo, now one big one details here...

ASSUMPTION DAY - 15th August*

WINE FESTIVAL (Vendimia) - First weekend in September details here...

SPAIN DAY - 12th October*

ALL SAINTS DAY - 1st November*

CONSTITUTION DAY - 6th December*

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - 8th December*

CHRISTMAS DAY - 25th December*

*Public Holidays