Spanish Festivals in August

August

Food & Drink

La Tomatina

Buñol, Valencia

La Tomatina is one of the most unique and exhilarating festivals in the world. Every year, on the last Wednesday of August, the small town of Buñol, near Valencia, transforms into a battlefield of ripe tomatoes — and tens of thousands of visitors come from every corner of the globe to join the fun.

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August

Cultural

Aste Nagusia

Bilbao, Basque Country

Aste Nagusia (Great Week) is Bilbao's biggest annual celebration. For nine days in August, the Basque city transforms with concerts, fireworks, street theatre, and the beloved Marijaia figure presiding over it all. It's a free, open festival with incredible energy.

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August

Traditional

Festa Major de Gràcia

Barcelona, Catalonia

Each August, the Gràcia neighborhood erupts into a spectacular celebration where streets compete to create the most imaginative decorations from recycled materials, with live music and communal dinners.

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August

Traditional

Descenso Internacional del Sella

Arriondas, Asturias

Every first Saturday of August, over 1,000 canoeists race 20 km down the River Sella from Arriondas to Ribadesella, cheered on by 200,000+ spectators lining the riverbanks. Declared a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest, it's Spain's most famous sporting festival.

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August

Religious

Misteri d'Elx (Mystery of Elche)

Elche, Valencia

The Misteri d'Elx is a medieval liturgical drama depicting the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, performed entirely in verse and song inside the Basilica of Santa María. UNESCO declared it a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001 — it has been performed uninterrupted since the 15th century.

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August

Sports

Carreras de Caballos de Sanlúcar

Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Andalusia

Since 1845, English-style horse races along the shore at low tide. Two three-day cycles in August with Doñana National Park as backdrop.

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August

Cultural

Semana Grande San Sebastián

San Sebastián, Basque Country

Semana Grande (Aste Nagusia in Basque) is San Sebastián's biggest annual celebration, transforming the elegant coastal city into a week-long party every August. Centred around the International Fireworks Competition over La Concha Bay, the festival combines world-class pyrotechnics with concerts, traditional Basque sports, street theatre and gastronomy. It's the cultural highlight of summer in the Basque Country.

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August

Traditional

Fiesta de la Paloma

Madrid, Madrid

The Fiestas de la Paloma is Madrid's most beloved and traditional neighbourhood festival, celebrating the Virgin of La Paloma in the historic La Latina district. Every August, the narrow streets fill with paper lanterns, the sound of chotis music, and neighbours dressed in traditional chulapo and chulapa costumes. It's the most authentic window into old Madrid's soul — a living tradition that has survived centuries of change.

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August

Traditional

Feria de Málaga

Málaga, Andalusia

Feria de Málaga is the city’s major August fair, combining daytime celebrations in the historic center with nighttime festivities at the fairground (Real de la Feria).

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August

Food & Drink

Fiesta de la Sidra Natural

Gijón, Asturias

Gijón celebrates Asturias' most iconic drink with mass cider pouring (escanciado) attempts at world records, tastings from dozens of producers, and traditional Asturian music and food.

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