One of the exciting things about Spain is the diversity of customs and traditions throughout the entire Iberian Peninsula. There are Patron Saint celebrations, historical celebrations, town fairs, and other festivities that are as varied as they are intriguing.

Although the summer is when most of these festivities are held, reaching their peak in the second half of August, the rest of the year is well supplied with fiestas as well! For starters, September is a full month on the festivities calendar. If you plan to squeeze the most out of the summer, we recommend the following:

Costa Blanca Norte

• Calpe: September is an intense month in this city in Alicante province. On the second weekend of the month, Calpe holds its pilgrimage called Romería de la Virgen del Rocío, organised by the Casa de Andalucía de Calpe and its Pilgrims’ Brotherhood. In the second half of September, Calpe celebrates its patron saint festivities, dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy. But Calpe fiestas don’t come to an end in autumn: October brings the Moors and Christians feast, and in November, everyone gathers at the famous, local Oktoberfest.

• Benidorm: Most of Benidorm’s festivities run from May to July. But they certainly don’t stop in the autumn season without staging two big events: in October, the Moors and Christians feast, and in November the festivity of Our Lady of Suffrage.

• Busot: This small town in the north of Alicante province holds the midpoint of its Moors and Christians festivities during a weekend chosen from the months of September or October. In this feast, there’s no lack of parades, pageantry, brotherhood meals and activities for everybody.

Costa del Sol

• Marbella: At 20km from Marbella lies the town of San Pedro Alcántara, where in mid-October the last festivities of the municipality’s annual calendar take place. These are the most famous fiestas in the area, and if you visit you’ll be able to enjoy the classic events of Andalusian fairs, like parades of giants and fatheads, horseback riding, concerts and activities of all kinds.

Costa Blanca Sur

• Orihuela: The biggest fiesta in Orihuela has been celebrated since 1633 to honour its patron saint, the Virgin of Montserrate. This event takes place in September to commemorate the appearance of the image of the Virgin in the nearby mountains. The event includes a pilgrimage to the sanctuary and a series of processions through the streets.

Costa de Almería

• Pulpí: Of all the festivities held throughout the year in Pulpí and surroundings, the most popular is that of San Miguel Arcángel, on 29 September. In addition to the typical activities of this festival, of note is the ‘Toro de fuego’: an iron frame shaped like a bull, with its horns aflame, equipped with wheels and pushed by two people through the streets, who let it loose from time to time to surprise the spectators.

Summer can be extended a little longer if you tour all the Spanish festivities! Which one do you like best?