What's on in Spain: May

Cultural festivals

Cruces de Mayo (Cordoba): April 30th-May 4th

http://english.turismodecordoba.org/seccion/the-may-crosses

This beautiful festival takes place in Cordoba and features dozens of crosses decorated with fresh flowers. As an added bonus, the patio for each of the crosses typically have their own bar with fresh tapas and drinks.

Festival de patios (Cordoba): May 5th-18th

http://english.turismodecordoba.org/patios-de-cordoba.cfm

Another unique festival in Cordoba, this one features elegantly decorated patios. Artists compete to create the most stunning patio to win the illustrious prizes and pride of being named the best patio. 

Feria de Cordoba: May 24th-31st

http://www.cordoba24.info/english/html/feria.html

This is the largest and most important fair in the city of Cordoba. Flamenco, fireworks, and equestrian processions are just a few of the attractions that draw tens of thousands of tourists to this Andalusian city. 

Feria de Abril (Seville): May 6th-11th

http://www.andalucia.com/festival/seville-feria.htm

Although typically celebrated in April, this famous festival in Seville will be celebrated in May this year to allow two weeks of separation from Semana Santa. The Feria de Abril is known for its lively flamenco dancing and copious amounts of tapas. 

Feria de Abril (Barcelona): April 25th-May 4th

http://www.barcelonayellow.com/bcn-events-calendar/details/97-feria-de-abril-de-catalunya

Much like the festival in Sevilla, the Feria de Abril in Barcelona will be celebrated in May this year. Although smaller than the Feria in Sevilla, the Feria in Barcelona is equally as exciting and provides a great way to experience Spanish culture.  

Feria Nacional de Queso (Trujillo): May 1st-May 4th

http://www.feriadelquesotrujillo.es (in Spanish)

A five-day fest dedicated to all things cheese in one Spain's most beautiful towns. 

Salón Internacional de Cómic de Barcelona: May 15th-18th

http://www.ficomic.com/ (in Spanish)

Comic book lovers unite in this international comic exhibition. 

Guitar Festival (Barcelona): February 20th-May 2nd

http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/events/guitar-festival-barcelona/

This 25th annual festival brings guitar players and enthusiasts from around the world.

Temps de Flors (Girona): May 10th-18th

http://www.gironatempsdeflors.net/cat/index.php (in Catalan)

This is another stunningly beautiful Spanish festival. The city of Girona is filled with hundreds of impressive floral displays, converting the city into a picturesque garden. 

Festival de San Isidro (Madrid): May 15th

http://www.partyearth.com/madrid/festivals/san-isidro-festival-1/

Madrileños come together for this festival to celebrate the patron saint of Madrid. The festival is centered around the bullfighting ring, as this also marks the beginning of the bullfighting season. 

Festival de dos de Mayo (Madrid): May 2nd

http://www.madrid-tourist-guide.com/en/events/2-de-mayo.html

This celebration commemorates the revolt against Napolean’s troops in the 1800s. Most of the main events can be found in the neighborhood of Malasaña, where the revolt actually took place. 

DocumentaMadrid: April 30th-May 11th

http://www.documentamadrid.com/en/

This international festival is exclusively dedicated to documentary filmmaking. Filmmakers from around the world gather here to premiere their latest projects.

Titirimundi Puppet Festival (Segovia): May 14th-18th

http://www.titirimundi.es/ (in Spanish)

Puppet troupes from around the world come together to provide entertainment that is fun for children and adults alike. 

Día de la Almadía (Navarra): May 3rd

http://www.almadiasdenavarra.com/ (in Spanish)

This unique festival celebrates an old tradition of wooden rafts in Navarra. Craftsmen build these rafts from long planks of wood and ride them down the river, much to the delight of the awaiting audience. 

Medieval Fair (Montblanc): April 23rd-May 4th

http://www.montblancmedieval.cat/en/quefer/festesifires/setmanamedieval

Montblanc is transported back to the Middle Ages during this yearly festival. The town is decorated with medieval pennants and the inhabitants dress up in typical medieval clothing. 

Medieval Fair (Ibiza): May 9th-12th

http://medieval-festival-ibiza.ibiza.ibiza4all.org/

Much like the one in Montblanc, the medieval fair in Ibiza is like stepping back in time. 

Music festivals

Primavera Sound (Barcelona): May 28th-31st

http://www.primaverasound.es/?lang=en

This is one of the largest music festivals in Spain. It features four days of world-renowned alternative, electronic, pop, and rock artists. Some of the most notable performers this year include Arcade Fire, Disclosure, and Haim. 

WOMAD Festival (Caceres): May 8th-11th

http://womad.org/festivals/caceres/

The WOMAD festival is an international music festival taking place in venues around the world. It showcases a variety of global artists, and the main selling point is that entrance is completely free. 

SOS 4.8 (Murcia): May 2nd-3rd

http://www.sos48.com/ (in Spanish)

This festival combines a wide variety of music and art to provide a truly unique cultural experience. Musical acts range from indie and pop to rock and electronic.

Territorios Sevilla: May 23rd-24th

http://territoriossevilla.com/ (in Spanish)

This festival brings more of an indie/alternative set of artists to the capital of Andalusia. 

Viña Rock (Albacete): April 30th-May 3rd

https://www.vina-rock.com/ (in Spanish)

As the name implies, this festival is focused mainly on the appreciation and enjoyment of rock music. 

Festimad (Madrid): April 23rd-May 10th

http://festimad.es/ (in Spanish)

Similar to Viña Rock, Festimad seeks to showcase the up and coming names in rock music. 

Sporting events

Mutua Madrid Open: May 2nd-11th

http://www.madrid-open.com/en/

This tennis tournament brings some of the best male and female tennis players to Madrid. The Mutua Madrid Open is the second most important clay-court tournament, only behind the French Open. 

Gran premio bwin de España (Jerez): May 4th

http://www.motogp.com/en/events/Spain/2014

Motorcycle racing is immensely popular in Spain and one of the most popular venues is the circuit in Jerez. 

Open de España (Girona): May 15th-18th

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014038/index.html

This golf tournament will be held at the PGA Catalunya Resort, which has been named Spain's top course for the past three years. 

Barcelona v. Atlético Madrid (Barcelona): May 18th

http://www.lfp.es/en/

This game is set to be quite a match with two of the top Spanish teams vying for the league. Keep an eye out for the date and kick-off time. These tend to change.

Formula 1 gran premio de España (Barcelona): May 9th-11th

http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/spain_919/

Formula 1 racing comes to Barcelona in this impressive showcase of speed.

Ansgar Fighting League AFL 1 (Barcelona): May 10th

http://ansgarfl.com/en/

This mixed martial arts event is the first of the Ansgar Fighting League, an MMA competition that brings together some of the best international fighters.

Other events

Gay Pride Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) 19th-25th May

http://www.gaypridemaspalomas.com/ 

One of Europe's biggest and glitiziest gay pride events.

Seminar: Insight into Financial Planning in Spain (Costa Brava): May 5th. 

http://blog.expatfinancialadvicespain.com/2014/02/09/insight-into-financial-planning-in-spain-2/

This seminar looks at issues from tax efficient investment in Spain to inheritance tax planning in Catalonia and income tax. Places are limited so register using the link above.

Know about another great event in Spain in May? Organizing something yourself? Let us know via email at [email protected]