Behind the beaches, Spain's coast is steeped in centuries of tradition, and summer is when much of it comes alive. Towns re-enact medieval battles between Moors and Christians, carry their patron saints through the streets in solemn processions, and stage historical pageants like Cartagena's Carthaginians and Romans. These are the events that show you a place's roots — colourful, heartfelt and often centuries old. Here's what's on in culture and tradition while you're here.
🎭 Culture & ArtsStories, context and live dates across Spain
Field guide
The crowds go home in September and the calendar gets better, not worse. Human towers in Tarragona, a whole town sliding down a hill on pine boar
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Field guide
On the evening of 12 August 2026 the Costa Blanca sees a deep partial eclipse — up to 99% of the Sun covered. It's a stunning sight, but not tota
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Field guide
On the evening of 12 August 2026 the Costa Brava gets a stunning deep partial eclipse of around 99% — very nearly total, but not quite. Here's ex
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OnNow
A free open-air street art display set up along the Rambla Los Menceyes promenade, on view from June through October 202
OnNow
A four-month exhibition celebrating Canarian openwork lace (calado), the craft for which Ingenio is famous. It recreates
OnNow
A free seafront gallery next to the Tourist Office hosting a rotating program of local artists and collective shows all
OnNow
A solo exhibition by painter Antonio Maya at Vélez-Málaga's contemporary art centre, running through October. An easy, d
OnNow
An atmospheric open-air summer series of poetry readings paired with live music, held on warm evenings in some of Vélez-
19Nov
A collective exhibition of contemporary visual art by young creators (aged 16-35) from the Baix Penedes region, shown ac
16Jun
Local school and youth theatre groups stage their productions at Elche's Gran Teatro, including classics such as Blood W
19Jun
A free drop-in exhibition of works by students of Adeje's municipal painting courses, shown in the historic tower on Pla
20Jun
An evening 'art night' that turns the whole village into an open gallery, with music, dance and visual-art exhibitions i
25Jun
A three-evening open-air contemporary dance festival staged in Benidorm's old-town squares, with performances by Spanish
27Jun
A free open-air short-film festival ('cinema a la fresca') under the summer night sky in the town square, screening fina
29Jun
A summer program of activities at Alicante's Contemporary Art Museum (MACA), set in the historic Casa de la Asegurada be
1Jul
A long-running summer festival blending poetry, live music and the arts in the seaside village's most atmospheric spaces
3Jul
Spain's most important open-air textile-art show drapes around 90 international fabric works from the balconies and stre
26Aug
A short-film festival held over four nights in the atmospheric cave-dwelling complex of Cuevas del Rodeo. An open-air cu
Guide
Mallorca sits in the path of totality for the 12 August 2026 eclipse. Here's where to watch on the island, when, and how to plan the day.
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29 Sep · Daya Nueva
29 Sep · San Miguel de Abona
29 Sep · Tazacorte
On now · Candelaria
On now · Ingenio
Fresh events and useful stories for the places you care about.