What's on in Spain: 14 fun things to do in February
February is the month to shake off the winter blues with Carnival! Or head to a celebration of the most tragic of star-crossed lovers. Failing that how about a festival focusing on food?
Here are some of the highlights going on across Spain this February.
Food
Madrid Gastrofestival, February 7th until February 23rd
Photo: GastroFestival Madrid
This is more than just a food festival. The Spanish capital becomes a hub for gourmet cuisine, as well as the art, fashion, literature and films that are inspired by it. 2020 celebrates an extended edition of the famous festival. Foodies come, eat and rejoice.
Calçots in Catalonia (February and March)
Photo by Silvia Martin/Flickr
February and March are Calçots time in Catalonia! You can find the traditional grilled spring onion all around the region. In Barcelona there is a market throughout the period in Parc de les Tres Xemeineies where guests can celebrate the urban edition of the Calçotada to the sounds of Sardana music and a porró of vino tinto.
Recipe: How to make, eat and enjoy calçots
Exhibitions
"1939 Exilio Republicano Español", Madrid until February 29th
Photo from the exhibition of a young Spanish exile by Germaine Chaumel
A huge exhibition of sketches, photographs and paintings records the plight of the 500,000 republican refugees after the civil war.
The exhibition entitled "1939 Exilio Republicano Español" at the La Arquería in Madrid's Nuevos Ministerios has been extended until the end of February. and includes powerful works created by the most famous exile from the Spanish Civil War, Pablo Picasso.
The exihibit also includes documentary evidence chronicling those who took the path into exile, what life was like in the enternment camps in France and how exiles rebuilt their life in the ensuing years.
ARCOmadrid International Contemporary Art Fair February 26th until March 1st
Photo: Arco-Madrid / Ifema
The International Contemporary Art Fair is one of the main art fairs on the international circuit and a must-see for art lovers and collectors in Madrid. It takes place in the huge exhibition center IFEMA but also look out for galleries in the captal holding their own events.
Cultural Festivals
Spring...and almond blossom!
Blossom in Madrid's Parque de Berlin. Photo: F Govan
February is the month when almond trees burst into bloom with their exquisite pale pink blossom. Some areas, like the Canary Island of La Palma celebrate the blossoming of the almond trees that grow everywhere on the island with a festival that involves lots of exquisite handmade almod sweets, but wherever you are in Spain, you won't be far from some blooms, so get out into the countryside and enjoy that spring air!
La Endiabla , Cuenca, Castille-La Mancha, February 1st to 4th
Photo: La Endiablada
Every year at the beginning of February, visitors flock to the small town of Almonacid del Marquesado in Cuenca where locals celebrate La Endiablada, or "the brotherhood of the devils". Since at least the 13th century, locals have gathered for this celebration, dressing up in outlandish "devil" costumes with noisy cowbells and dancing through the town. The festival is meant to honour both the Virgin Mary as well as the town's patron saint, San Blas.
Festes de Moros i Cristians a Sant Blai, Bocairent, Valencia February 1st to 6th.
Photo: Juan Sanz/ Bocairent Town Hall
In February, the small town Bocairent in the Valencia region hosts the tradtional Moors and Christians festival. There are re-enactments of the fights between the two groups as well as parades and fireworks - not to mention the perfect opportunity to visit this truly charming town.
Santa Eulàlia Festival, Barcelona, February 7th to 12th
Photo: Santa Eulalia Festival
Once the patron of Barcelona, Santa Eulàlia was more or less abandoned in the 17th century to make space for the city's beloved Mercé. However, the celebration of the former patron now takes place in February and is the perfect opportunity for everyone who missed the Festes de la Mercé in September to encounter giants on the street or risk a scorching in the correfocs, the traditional firework runs. You might also stumble upon the famous human towers and Sardana dances. On the 12th of February, Saint Eulàlias day, visitors can enter the Ajuntament (City Hall) as well as several other museums for free.
READ MORE Els Castells: What you need to know about the human towers of Catalonia
Las Bodas de Isabel de Segura, Teruel, Aragon February 20th to 23rd
Photo: Teruel City Hall
Believing her true love to be dead, Isabel marries another in Spain’s take on Romeo and Juliet. Every year the city of Teruel revives the tragedy of the two lovers on the month of romance. Celebrate your Valentine’s day with star-crossed lovers and medieval dress in the mountainous Aragon region of eastern Spain.
Flamenco festival of Jerez February 21st, March 7th.
Photo: AFP
The Andalusian town of Jerez takes its unofficial title of "city of flamenco" quite seriously, and no other time of year is that more apparent than during the annual Festival de Jerez. For two weeks, the city comes alive with dozens of performances of the traditional dance and musical style.
Carnival
Carnival Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, February 19th to March 1st
Photo: Depositphotos
Those looking to have the Rio de Janeiro carnival experience without having to fly all the way to South America should head instead to the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a twin city of the Brazilian metropolis and its carnival is world-renowned – as much as it is out of this world.
Sitges Carnival February 18th to 26th
More than 250,000 people flock to the coastal town of Sitges about 35 kilometres 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.
Cádiz Carnival February 28th until March 10th
Photo: Depositphotos
The carnival in Cádiz is one of the most famous in Spain, dating 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.
Sports
Seville Marathon February 23rd
Photo: Zurich Marathon, Sevilla
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. You can still register 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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Here are some of the highlights going on across Spain this February.
Food
Madrid Gastrofestival, February 7th until February 23rd
Photo: GastroFestival Madrid
This is more than just a food festival. The Spanish capital becomes a hub for gourmet cuisine, as well as the art, fashion, literature and films that are inspired by it. 2020 celebrates an extended edition of the famous festival. Foodies come, eat and rejoice.
Calçots in Catalonia (February and March)
Photo by Silvia Martin/Flickr
February and March are Calçots time in Catalonia! You can find the traditional grilled spring onion all around the region. In Barcelona there is a market throughout the period in Parc de les Tres Xemeineies where guests can celebrate the urban edition of the Calçotada to the sounds of Sardana music and a porró of vino tinto.
Recipe: How to make, eat and enjoy calçots
Exhibitions
"1939 Exilio Republicano Español", Madrid until February 29th
Photo from the exhibition of a young Spanish exile by Germaine Chaumel
A huge exhibition of sketches, photographs and paintings records the plight of the 500,000 republican refugees after the civil war.
The exhibition entitled "1939 Exilio Republicano Español" at the La Arquería in Madrid's Nuevos Ministerios has been extended until the end of February. and includes powerful works created by the most famous exile from the Spanish Civil War, Pablo Picasso.
The exihibit also includes documentary evidence chronicling those who took the path into exile, what life was like in the enternment camps in France and how exiles rebuilt their life in the ensuing years.
ARCOmadrid International Contemporary Art Fair February 26th until March 1st
Photo: Arco-Madrid / Ifema
The International Contemporary Art Fair is one of the main art fairs on the international circuit and a must-see for art lovers and collectors in Madrid. It takes place in the huge exhibition center IFEMA but also look out for galleries in the captal holding their own events.
Cultural Festivals
Spring...and almond blossom!
Blossom in Madrid's Parque de Berlin. Photo: F Govan
February is the month when almond trees burst into bloom with their exquisite pale pink blossom. Some areas, like the Canary Island of La Palma celebrate the blossoming of the almond trees that grow everywhere on the island with a festival that involves lots of exquisite handmade almod sweets, but wherever you are in Spain, you won't be far from some blooms, so get out into the countryside and enjoy that spring air!
La Endiabla , Cuenca, Castille-La Mancha, February 1st to 4th
Photo: La Endiablada
Every year at the beginning of February, visitors flock to the small town of Almonacid del Marquesado in Cuenca where locals celebrate La Endiablada, or "the brotherhood of the devils". Since at least the 13th century, locals have gathered for this celebration, dressing up in outlandish "devil" costumes with noisy cowbells and dancing through the town. The festival is meant to honour both the Virgin Mary as well as the town's patron saint, San Blas.
Festes de Moros i Cristians a Sant Blai, Bocairent, Valencia February 1st to 6th.
Photo: Juan Sanz/ Bocairent Town Hall
In February, the small town Bocairent in the Valencia region hosts the tradtional Moors and Christians festival. There are re-enactments of the fights between the two groups as well as parades and fireworks - not to mention the perfect opportunity to visit this truly charming town.
Santa Eulàlia Festival, Barcelona, February 7th to 12th
Photo: Santa Eulalia Festival
Once the patron of Barcelona, Santa Eulàlia was more or less abandoned in the 17th century to make space for the city's beloved Mercé. However, the celebration of the former patron now takes place in February and is the perfect opportunity for everyone who missed the Festes de la Mercé in September to encounter giants on the street or risk a scorching in the correfocs, the traditional firework runs. You might also stumble upon the famous human towers and Sardana dances. On the 12th of February, Saint Eulàlias day, visitors can enter the Ajuntament (City Hall) as well as several other museums for free.
READ MORE Els Castells: What you need to know about the human towers of Catalonia
Las Bodas de Isabel de Segura, Teruel, Aragon February 20th to 23rd
Photo: Teruel City Hall
Believing her true love to be dead, Isabel marries another in Spain’s take on Romeo and Juliet. Every year the city of Teruel revives the tragedy of the two lovers on the month of romance. Celebrate your Valentine’s day with star-crossed lovers and medieval dress in the mountainous Aragon region of eastern Spain.
Flamenco festival of Jerez February 21st, March 7th.
Photo: AFP
The Andalusian town of Jerez takes its unofficial title of "city of flamenco" quite seriously, and no other time of year is that more apparent than during the annual Festival de Jerez. For two weeks, the city comes alive with dozens of performances of the traditional dance and musical style.
Carnival
Carnival Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, February 19th to March 1st
Photo: Depositphotos
Those looking to have the Rio de Janeiro carnival experience without having to fly all the way to South America should head instead to the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a twin city of the Brazilian metropolis and its carnival is world-renowned – as much as it is out of this world.
Sitges Carnival February 18th to 26th
More than 250,000 people flock to the coastal town of Sitges about 35 kilometres 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.
Cádiz Carnival February 28th until March 10th
Photo: Depositphotos
The carnival in Cádiz is one of the most famous in Spain, dating 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.
Sports
Seville Marathon February 23rd
Photo: Zurich Marathon, Sevilla
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. You can still register 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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