Spanish towns are famous for their fiestas and Motril is no exception. Some of the festivals are national holidays but there are also local festivals celebrated in towns but not in neighbouring towns as well as other days where there are local fairs and most of the town is closed. In the summer months it can be difficult to keep track of everything that is happening, sometimes the first sign that there was a festivals in one of the neighbouring towns on the Costa Tropical are fireworks in the distance.
January
1st of January New Years Day.
6th of January, Three Kings Day (epiphany) – along the Granada coast probably the largest celebrations this evening.
13th of January, a local fiesta to remember the earthquake of 1804 which destroyed parts of the town
February
Carnaval – celebrations for the same historic and religious reasons as Rio di Janeiro, Brazil, 40 days before Easter and finishing on Ash Wednessday. but on a much smaller scale. You will probably have to really do some on the ground research to find the events.
28th of February, Andalucia Day (regional holiday)
March/April
Easter week that is celebrated in March or April, being holidays thursday and friday – Semana Santa is an important event in Andalucia and there are many religious processions with hooded figures carrying effigies.
In Motril there is always a good turn out and many locals gather along the routes throughout the week with Plaza de las Palmeras being the main viewing area and where a stage is built for local officials.
May
1st of May, Labour Day
Cruces de Mayo – a flower festival for the beginning of Spring/Summer
June
13th of June, Saint Anthony Pilgrimage
25th of June, Dia St Juan (local, but common to all beach towns and takes place over several days). This day often being a local holiday to recover from the night before (the shortest of the year) which is a night of celebrations and fireworks on the beaches.
July
16th of July, local sailors honour their patroness La Virgen del Carmen. The event takes place around the port of Motril. An effigy of the patroness is first paraded through the town streets & then out at sea aboard a flower laden boat; often trailed by a flotilla of fishing boats. The evening culminates with much dancing & singing, as well as the customary fireworks.
August
7th of August – Dia Saint Cayetano
Much of the town is working just half a day for most of the month due to the heat and the presence of the summer fair which comes to town to celebrate the town’s patron Saint’s day which is 15th of August Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza “Our Lady/Virgin of the Head”.
September
Fiestas in the San Miguel area of the town (up near the castle!). Feast of San Miguel Archángel – here they celebrate the Saints day of San Miguel, with processions and carrying religious effigies usually held the closest Saturday to September 29th.
October
Second Sunday, Procession of Virgen de las Angustias (relgious festival in the Angustias neighbourhoof)
Third Sunday, Procession of Divina Pastora, in the Capuchinos neighbourhood.
November
1st of November is All Saint´s day, people that have passed are remembered.
December
6th of December Spanish Constitution Day
8th of December Day of Inmaculada.
25th of December Christmas day.
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