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What's on in Spain: February 2015

Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones - [email protected]
What's on in Spain: February 2015
Performers parade during the drag queen competition during the spectacular Las Palmas Carnival, in Gran Canaria, in 2013. Photo: Desiree Martin/AFP.

From blowing away the cobwebs at the Seville marathon to marvelling at the creating of the most exciting new designers at Madrid fashion week, here are some of the best events going on around Spain in February, all guaranteed to beat those winter blues.

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Arts and style

Madrid Fashion Week , February 14th – 18th: The Spanish capital turns on the glitz and glamour for Madrid Fashion Week this month, when designers, from established Spanish classics like Agatha Ruiz de la Prada to a host of exciting young newcomers show their latest creations. 

Animac, international animated film festival, (Lleida, Catalonia), February 19th – 22nd: If you're a fan of animation, the Animac animated film festival might be right up your street. This annual, non-competitive film showcase brings together some of the best animators from around the world to showcase their latest film. 2015 will mark the 19th anniversary of the festival.

Jerez flamenco festival (Jerez, Andalusia), February 20th – March 7th: Jerez, in southern Spain, transforms into the world capital of flamenco in February with dozens of events, performances and shows featuring the passionate Spanish dance.   

Promo Festival de Jerez 2015 from Ayuntamiento de Jerez on Vimeo.

Festivals

La Endiablada devil festival (Almonacid, near Cuenca), February 1st – 4th: Every year at the beginning of February, visitors flock to the small town of Almonacid del Marquesado near Cuenca where locals celebrate La Endiablada, or the 'devil festival'. Locals dress up as devils and roam the streets in a tradition dating back to the 13th century. The festival celebrates the Purification of the Virgin Mary, or La Candelaria, as well as the patron saint of the town, San Blas. 

San Cecilio festival (Granada): San Cecilio, the patron saint of Granada, is celebrated in this festival which centres on Sacromonte, the whitewashed area of the city traditionally home to gypsies and flamenco dancers, who performed in the caves dotted around the hillside overlooking Granada. During the festival, it is traditional to visit the monastery of Sacromonte then enjoy good food and dancing well into the night. 

Sitges Carnival, February 10th – 18th: Over 250,000 people flock to the coastal town of Sitges about 35km (22 miles) from Barcelona, every February for one of the biggest gay carnivals in the world. The week is packed with parades, parties and shows and the gay-friendly town opens its doors to thousands of revellers. 

Cadiz Carnival, February 12th – 22nd: One of the best known carnivals in Spain, Cadiz Carnival’s origins date back to the 16th century. These days it’s all about dressing up and poking fun at politicians and people in the news, as well as the usual eating and drinking of course. 

One of the many singing groups that battle it out during Cadiz's carnival.

Las Palmas carnival, Gran Canaria, January 31st – February 21st: If you like your carnivals flashy, loud and sequinned then this Rio-style carnival is for you. For three weeks Gran Canaria ups the glitz and includes parades, dressing up and beach-centred activities under the (hopefully) gloriously sunny Canary island weather. 

Sport

El Derbí (Madrid) – Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid , February 7th, 4pm: One of the biggest games of Spanish football takes place this month, when Madrid's two big teams face off against each other in Atlético’s Vicente Caldarón stadium. Will Real make up for their recent loss against their cross-city rivals during the King's Cup? 

Atlético Madrid's midfielder Raul García (L) vies with Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo: AFP


Seville marathon
 (Seville), February 22nd, 9am:
 If hills aren't your thing, why not take part in the flattest marathon in Europe, which takes in some of the most picturesque sights of Seville along the route. Registration is open till February 18th if you fancy taking up a New Year´s challenge. Otherwise, why not lend your support to the runners by cheering them on from the side lines?

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