Fourteen fantastically fun things to do in Spain this July
With summer well and truly here, Spain's calendar is packed full of fun things to do this July, including Pamplona bull running fiesta, Madrid's fashion week and San Sebastiàn's jazz festival. Check out The Local's list of what not to miss:
San Fermín, Pamplona, July 6th – 14th
Photo: AFP
Each July Pamplona is transformed into a city-wide fiesta for nine days to celebrate San Fermin when the city swells to a million revellers, the bravest of whom come to experience the fear and excitement of the running of the bulls. The 875 metre run takes place at 8am every morning and lasts between 2 and 3 minutes when participants join six fighting bulls as they run hrough the streets to the bullring, where that evening the corrida is held.
READ MORE: How to survive running with the bulls in Pamplona
Pride Parade, Madrid, July 6th
Photo: AFP
Madrid celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community when the city becomes one huge party, attracting people from all over the world. The pride parade, which starts at around 5pm on Saturday, is always a highlight of the celebrations, but there's lots more going on besides.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Madrid Pride 2019
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Madrid, July 5th – 10th
January's edition featured designer Miguel Marinero's Autumn/Winter collection. Photo: AFP
Gathering the best of international designers in the city, Madrid fashion week celebrates professionals from all over the world, prestigious brand names and new trends in fashion. It is the largest platform for Spanish fashion brands on the international scene.
Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme, As Nieves, July 29th
Photo: santamartaribarteme.org
We all know Spain is home to some bizarre festivals, and this one in Galicia is no doubt one of weirdest. The so-called 'Festival of Near Death Experiences' involves people who have had a brush with death over the last year travelling to the small village next to the boarder with Portugal, climbing into a coffin and having their friends and families carry them through the streets as part of a procession.
READ ALSO: El Colacho: Is this Spain's most bizarre festival?
A Rapa das Bestas, Sabucedo, July 5th – 8th
Photo: AFP
Sabucedo, a village of no more than 60 people, is home to this festival which celebrates the annual round up of wild horses. In the early morning of the festival's first day, participants begin a hike to search for wild horses to be driven into a large arena in the village where nominated wrestlers will cut their manes. Of course, this is Spain, so celebrations also include fiestas with non-stop dancing.
International Festival of Classical Theatre, Mérida, June 27th – August 25th
Photo: festivaldemerida.es
Mérida international classic theatre festival is the oldest of its kind in Spain, with performances held throughout July and August in the town’s Roman theatre, the oldest working theatre in the world. Locals, as well as people from the rest of Spain, are drawn to the festival, which will feature the work of Shakespeare and Sant-Saëns as well as performances from Víctor Ullate Ballet Company.
Music
There are plenty of music events happening in July, spreading across different genres and different areas of Spain.
Jazzaldia Festival, San Sebastián, July 24th – 28th
Chick Corea and Stanley Clarcke have previously performed at the festival. Photo: AFP
Events are held across the city, showcasing music from a wide variety of styles and trends that appeal to all kinds of audiences. More than 60 performances are schedules, including music from the Ellis Marsalis Quartet, Diana Krall and Gloria Gaynor.
Ortigueira Celtic Festival, A Coruña, July 11th – 14th
One of Spain’s biggest festivals, this internationally renowned celebration of folk music is a free, open-air festival that attracts thousands of people each year. Since 1978, the festival has brought together both established starts and new artists, as well as featuring photography exhibitions, craft fairs, dance workshops, marching bands and street entertainment.
Bilbao Live, Bibao, July 11th – 13th
Featuring performaces from Liam Gallagher, ROSALÍA, BROCKHAMPTON, and The Strokes, this year’s line-up for the rock and pop festival is looking promising. Taking place across three days, the festival is held on a specially built complex on the slopes of mount Cobetas, located southwest of the city.
FIB 2019, Benicàssim, July 18th – 21st
The Festical Internacional de Benicàssim takes places each year in the Valencian Community, featuring music from pop, rock and electronica artists, as well as incorporating other elements such as short films, fashion shows and art. This year’s hot line-up includes big names such as Lana Del Rey, Fatboy Slim, MARINA, Franz Ferdinand, George Ezra and Kings of Leon.
Sónar, Barcelona, July 18th – 20th
Sónar is a festival of music, creativity and technology in Barcelona. This year, it is set to welcome artists such as A$AP ROCKY, Disclosure and Skepta to participate in the world-renowned festival of cutting-edge electronic music. Coinciding with the festival are the legefary ‘Off- Sónar’ parties, which take place all around the city.
Mad Cool Festival, Madrid, July 11th – 13th
Hoping to make up for last year’s chaos, organisers of the 2019 edition of Mad Cool have arranged for a stellar line up this year including Vampire Weekend, Vince Staples, The Cure and The 1975. There will also be a welcome party on the Monday, in which ROSALÍA and Bring Me The Horizon are set to headline.
Sport
Sanabria International Kayak Regatta, Galende, July 21st
A view of Sanabria lake. Photo: Depositphotos
Attracting the world’s best in the sport of kayaking, this annual Regatta is held in the stunning setting of Sanabria Lake, with a two-lap triangular circuit around the lake.
Last Chance
PhotoEspaña, Madrid, June 5th – September 1st
Kaveh Kazemi's exhibtion "Revolutionaries The First Decade" has been extended through July. Photo: PhotoEspaña
With some exhibitions ending in July, the 21st edition of PhotoEspaña has displayed over 1,000 works of photography and visual art across the capital, including an international selection of work from a range of artists, tackling a variety of themes in venues throughout Madrid.
READ MORE: IN PICS: Eight highlights from Madrid's PhotoEspaña 2019
List complied by Alice Huseyinoglu
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San Fermín, Pamplona, July 6th – 14th
Photo: AFP
Each July Pamplona is transformed into a city-wide fiesta for nine days to celebrate San Fermin when the city swells to a million revellers, the bravest of whom come to experience the fear and excitement of the running of the bulls. The 875 metre run takes place at 8am every morning and lasts between 2 and 3 minutes when participants join six fighting bulls as they run hrough the streets to the bullring, where that evening the corrida is held.
READ MORE: How to survive running with the bulls in Pamplona
Pride Parade, Madrid, July 6th
Photo: AFP
Madrid celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community when the city becomes one huge party, attracting people from all over the world. The pride parade, which starts at around 5pm on Saturday, is always a highlight of the celebrations, but there's lots more going on besides.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Madrid Pride 2019
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Madrid, July 5th – 10th
January's edition featured designer Miguel Marinero's Autumn/Winter collection. Photo: AFP
Gathering the best of international designers in the city, Madrid fashion week celebrates professionals from all over the world, prestigious brand names and new trends in fashion. It is the largest platform for Spanish fashion brands on the international scene.
Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme, As Nieves, July 29th
Photo: santamartaribarteme.org
We all know Spain is home to some bizarre festivals, and this one in Galicia is no doubt one of weirdest. The so-called 'Festival of Near Death Experiences' involves people who have had a brush with death over the last year travelling to the small village next to the boarder with Portugal, climbing into a coffin and having their friends and families carry them through the streets as part of a procession.
READ ALSO: El Colacho: Is this Spain's most bizarre festival?
A Rapa das Bestas, Sabucedo, July 5th – 8th
Photo: AFP
Sabucedo, a village of no more than 60 people, is home to this festival which celebrates the annual round up of wild horses. In the early morning of the festival's first day, participants begin a hike to search for wild horses to be driven into a large arena in the village where nominated wrestlers will cut their manes. Of course, this is Spain, so celebrations also include fiestas with non-stop dancing.
International Festival of Classical Theatre, Mérida, June 27th – August 25th
Photo: festivaldemerida.es
Mérida international classic theatre festival is the oldest of its kind in Spain, with performances held throughout July and August in the town’s Roman theatre, the oldest working theatre in the world. Locals, as well as people from the rest of Spain, are drawn to the festival, which will feature the work of Shakespeare and Sant-Saëns as well as performances from Víctor Ullate Ballet Company.
Music
There are plenty of music events happening in July, spreading across different genres and different areas of Spain.
Jazzaldia Festival, San Sebastián, July 24th – 28th
Chick Corea and Stanley Clarcke have previously performed at the festival. Photo: AFP
Events are held across the city, showcasing music from a wide variety of styles and trends that appeal to all kinds of audiences. More than 60 performances are schedules, including music from the Ellis Marsalis Quartet, Diana Krall and Gloria Gaynor.
Ortigueira Celtic Festival, A Coruña, July 11th – 14th
One of Spain’s biggest festivals, this internationally renowned celebration of folk music is a free, open-air festival that attracts thousands of people each year. Since 1978, the festival has brought together both established starts and new artists, as well as featuring photography exhibitions, craft fairs, dance workshops, marching bands and street entertainment.
Bilbao Live, Bibao, July 11th – 13th
Featuring performaces from Liam Gallagher, ROSALÍA, BROCKHAMPTON, and The Strokes, this year’s line-up for the rock and pop festival is looking promising. Taking place across three days, the festival is held on a specially built complex on the slopes of mount Cobetas, located southwest of the city.
FIB 2019, Benicàssim, July 18th – 21st
The Festical Internacional de Benicàssim takes places each year in the Valencian Community, featuring music from pop, rock and electronica artists, as well as incorporating other elements such as short films, fashion shows and art. This year’s hot line-up includes big names such as Lana Del Rey, Fatboy Slim, MARINA, Franz Ferdinand, George Ezra and Kings of Leon.
Sónar, Barcelona, July 18th – 20th
Sónar is a festival of music, creativity and technology in Barcelona. This year, it is set to welcome artists such as A$AP ROCKY, Disclosure and Skepta to participate in the world-renowned festival of cutting-edge electronic music. Coinciding with the festival are the legefary ‘Off- Sónar’ parties, which take place all around the city.
Mad Cool Festival, Madrid, July 11th – 13th
Hoping to make up for last year’s chaos, organisers of the 2019 edition of Mad Cool have arranged for a stellar line up this year including Vampire Weekend, Vince Staples, The Cure and The 1975. There will also be a welcome party on the Monday, in which ROSALÍA and Bring Me The Horizon are set to headline.
Sport
Sanabria International Kayak Regatta, Galende, July 21st
A view of Sanabria lake. Photo: Depositphotos
Attracting the world’s best in the sport of kayaking, this annual Regatta is held in the stunning setting of Sanabria Lake, with a two-lap triangular circuit around the lake.
Last Chance
PhotoEspaña, Madrid, June 5th – September 1st
Kaveh Kazemi's exhibtion "Revolutionaries The First Decade" has been extended through July. Photo: PhotoEspaña
With some exhibitions ending in July, the 21st edition of PhotoEspaña has displayed over 1,000 works of photography and visual art across the capital, including an international selection of work from a range of artists, tackling a variety of themes in venues throughout Madrid.
READ MORE: IN PICS: Eight highlights from Madrid's PhotoEspaña 2019
List complied by Alice Huseyinoglu
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