Lloret de Mar Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Lloret de Mar, Catalonia, Spain)

Many of Spain's festivals, fiestas and ferias are literally legendary, as they have been running for hundreds of years. In Lloret de Mar, these established events celebrate everything from the main dates and saints' days in the Christian calendar through historical events, cultural fiestas and music, dance, film and theatre festivals to traditional 'harvest home' week-long wine and food extravaganzas.

In much of the country, bullfighting or bull-running is still practiced, although in Catalonia it is now discouraged. Of note, dates and venues for smaller festivals around Lloret de Mar are often subject to change at short notice. Therefore, checking with the local tourist office before you set out is advisable.

Lloret de Mar Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Day (Ano Nuevo) - January 1st, a national Spanish public holiday
• Festival of the Three Kings - commemorates the three kings who followed the star to the Bethlehem stable, bringing gifts. Spanish children receive their Christmas presents, sweets and treats on this day, with much family feasting and fun

February

• Carnival - held in towns and cities all over the country, with the most spectacular being in Cadiz. The Barcelona version is well worth the trip

March

• International Barcelona Vintage Car Rally - early March, drawing pre-1924 automobiles from all over, for a run to Sitges. It is well worth the trip to Barcelona to see these fabulous autos

April

• Festival of St. George - held mainly in Barcelona, but also celebrated across Catalonia, honouring the patron saint of Catalonia, as well as the UK, Greece and many other cities worldwide. This popular saint's exploits with a dragon are cause for great celebrations
• Semana Santa - Holy Week, considered one of Spain's most important festivals, runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Monday, with processions of robed and masked men parading religious images through the streets every night until early morning

May

• Labour Day (Fiesta del Trabajo) - May 1st, a national Spanish public holiday
• Museum Day - held across the Costa Brava, when its many museums give extended hours and free entry to all

June

• Verbena de St. Juan - the summer solstice festival, celebrated in Lloret and across Catalonia, with folk dances and much feasting
• International Music Day - takes place all over the region, with free concerts of all musical genres in both formal and informal settings

July

• Festival of Santa Cristina (Festa Major) - the patron saint of Lloret de Mar's feast day is July 24th, celebrated with street parades of an image of the saint, a regatta and a special stew, only served on this day. Folk dances, music, street parties and several days of general festivities mark this major festival

August

• Feast of the Assumption (La Asunción) - August 15th, a national Spanish public holiday
• El Grec - named after the Barcelona theatre where the original event took place. This expanded festival now runs over several summer months and in many venues, featuring concerts, flamenco dancing, theatre, film and circus shows

September

• National Day of Catalonia / Catalan National Day (Festa Nacional de Catalunya) - September 11th, commemorates the Siege of Barcelona in 1714 during the War of the Spanish Succession with a national holiday, giant dishes of paella, floral offerings to monuments, parades and traditional music and dances
• La Merce - Barcelona's biggest festival, held to honour its patron saint. Expect traditional dance groups, bands, fire-breathing dragons, human pyramid contests, costumed devils, street parties and every possible variety of fun and games

October

• Festival of St. Narcis - held in Girola, runs for a week, with everything from processions of giant figures and street markets, to a fun fair, fire-running, live music and children's activities
• Hispanic Day (Dia de la Hispanidad / Fiesta Nacional de Espana) - October 12th, a national Spanish public holiday

November

• All Saints Day - a national festival, celebrated all over the country, which sees people returning to their birthplaces to lay flowers on the graves of their ancestors

December

• Feast of the Immaculate Conception (La Inmaculada Concepción) - December 8th, a national Spanish public holiday
• Christmas Eve - known as Nochebuena, the most important family festival of the year. Bars and restaurants close, and families get together for a traditional festive meal
• Santos Innocentes - December 28th, the equivalent of April Fool's Day, when Spanish people enjoy playing practical jokes on friends and neighbours