In Spain, the month of May is synonymous with spring, with lots of light, temperatures that announce the arrival of summer and… festivities and celebrations all across the entire peninsula. That’s why we’ve made the The Local’s Guide just for you, with some of the most interesting celebrations. Take note!
COSTA CÁLIDA (MURCIA)
Murcia is probably one of the regions with the most celebrations during the month of May. And with good reason: four Patron Saint Festivities, the Corpus, Moors and Christians, etc. The first weekend is when the famous Festival of the “May Crosses” is celebrated in Alhama de Murcia, declared a “Festivity of National Tourist Interest”. In mid-May, in Pliego, the festivities of San Isidro Labrador take place, as well as the Corpus in Archa in the last week of May, and spread throughout the month are the patron saint celebrations of Caravaca de la Cruz, Alcantarilla and Ulea, as well as the Festivities of the San José neighbourhood in Molina del Segura.
BALEARIC ISLANDS
The small Balearic archipelago also has numerous celebrations during the month of May. We particularly like the ‘Spring Fairs and Festivals’ in Manacor. They are kicked off with the dances of the “cossiers”, a well-known traditional dance, and include the city of Manacor’s agricultural, livestock, industrial and craft fair.
On the other hand, in the town of Soller, in Mallorca, on the second weekend of the month they celebrate the festivities of “Moors and Christians”, commemorating the victory of the people from Soller over the Turkish pirates.
NORTHERN COSTA BLANCA
The northern part of the Costa Blanca holds numerous traditional celebrations during this month, but the festivities that most frequently take place in the different towns are the Festival of the “May Crosses” and the Festival of “Moors and Christians”. The best place for the first is in Alicante, where the well-known Santa Cruz neighbourhood is filled with light, colour and flowers.
As for the Festival of “Moors and Christians”, the most highly-renowned festivities are without a doubt those of Alcoy, which have actually been declared a Spanish “Festivity of National Tourist Interest”. Celebrated in honour of Saint George, they represent the victory of the Christian side over the Arab troops of Al-Azraq. We have included them in this article because, although they are normally celebrated in April, there are years like this one in which they are celebrated in May.
Some of the many others that are celebrated include the “Buen Pastor” festival in Aspe; the “Moors and Christians” in Biar; the festivities of Vera Creu, in Mutxamiel, etc.
SOUTHERN COSTA BLANCA
In Callosa del Segura, near Orihuela, they also celebrate the Festival of the “May Crosses”. A religious celebration that, just like in the capital of the province, is truly a festival of colour and flowers that takes place on the streets of the town, which participate in a competition to find out which is the best-decorated. They are celebrated in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary, with a highlight being the songs sung by the “Auroros”.
COSTA DEL SOL
The town of Benalmádena in Malaga is one of the most active in terms of the celebrations held in May: its popular Seafood Fair, together with the “May Crosses”, turn the municipality into a place worth visiting every year. In the capital, Malaga, the Festivities of San Isidro Labrador are also celebrated.
THE REST OF THE PENINSULA
The “May Crosses” in Toledo, the festival for the day of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, together with those of San Isidro; the Cordoba Patios Festival, etc. There are similar celebrations held all over Spain during the month of May, also commonly known as the month of flowers, so if you’ve been wanting to plan any kind of activity, there are so many to choose from. Soak up the arrival of spring!
