Other Frigiliana ferias and fiestas
If you are able to be flexible in the timing of your Frigiliana holiday, it makes sense
to arrive in time for one of the many other Fiestas. These are usually tremendous
occasions, sometimes lasting days, involving everything from fairground attractions
to flamenco dancing, bull running and massive firework displays.
Day of the crosses. In May (the date can vary) there is a day when local people construct
crosses made out of flowers. These are paraded through Frigiliana's streets with much pride. noise and
applause.
Naturally there is lots of dancing, drinking and feasting on local produce, especially
the famous, intoxicating Frigiliana wine - made sweet with the Muscatel grape and
tasting like a strange sherry!
There are usually bands and singing and many people don the traditional costume for
the day. The local tourist office in Frigiliana (who speak English) will tell you dates. Their
telephone number is 95 253 3126. (If dialling from UK preface with '00 34'.)
The Flamenco competition. The people of Frigiliana love their traditions and none
more so than traditional dancing.
Each May or June (again the tourist office can supply
dates) a Flamenco competition is organised.
 Its purpose is to choose the best
candidates to go forward into the national competition.
Frigiliana is making a great effort to re-invent
itself as an artistic centre of the Axarquia.
This competition, now in its 13th year
is becoming a renowned part of that artistic initiative.
Since it lasts for three or four weeks, if you are in Frigiliana in May or early June you
should be able to see some of the dancing.
The fair of San Antonio. San Antonio is the local saint and this fair is an awesome celebration
of the fact!
Last year I forgot all about the date, caught a late plane and drove into
Frigiliana about 01:00 in the morning. A fun fair was in full swing. Children were
jumping up and down on a bouncy castle, mothers and fathers were swaying gently among the stalls
and the fairground rides.
I had just settled into the apartment with a cold beer when the sky above
Frigiliana exploded with the sound
and sight of a huge firework display. I might be exagerating but I don't think it all stopped until
about 2 in the morning.
Again you will see lots of local people in traditional costume, horse riding, parades
and the election of "the child queen and Mr infant". For those who are more religious a special
mass is celebrated at this time.
San Sebastian Fiesta. Every year on January 20th the festival of San Sebastian is
celebrated in Frigiliana. The statues of three saints are carried, on large platforms, through the village
along the narrow winding streets
Carrying these images must be hard work and requires much training; they are heavy, the cobblestones
are uneven and the streets of Frigiliana have steep inclines making both ascents and descents
hazardous at the best of times.
Unlike the Frigiliana Easter parades, this celebration is characterised by the constant
igniting of fireworks to accompany the procession
There seems to be a strange mix of pagan and Christian tradition at
work here. Whatever its origins the effect is amazing and testimony once again
to the capability of Frigiliana to worship, celebrate and party, preferably
all at the same time!
Fiestas in Nerja (about 8km from Frigiliana)
Below I have provided a calendar of events and a brief description where I am able:
January 16-17 San Anton
Processions, fireworks and bonfires in the street.
February Carnival
Three days of drinking, dancing, fancy dress and other festivities
climaxing with the Carnival parade and closing with the bizarre ceremony of the
"Burial of the Sardine"
Easter
As described in Frigiliana, but with different customs and rituals.
June 23, San Juan (and the longest day)
Evening barbecues on the beaches and general merry making culminating in a
midnight swim
July 16 Virgen del Carmen
An old fishermen's religioous ceremony. The statue of the Virgin is carried
through the streets of Nerja, down to the beach and out to sea on a fishing boat.
July Festival de la Cueva
Flamenco and classical music concerts in the caves.
October 7-10 Feria de Nerja
This is a massive occasion. Preparations cause hold-ups in the streets
for days before the event, as lights are draped across the roads. Then
follows no less than five days of dressing up, partying, dancing, drinking, eating.
Concerts, flamenco dancing competitions, everything you can imagine!
National holidays
January 01, New Years Day
January 06, Three Kings
February 28, Andalucia Day
Easter, Thursday and Friday
May 01, May Day
August 15, Asuncion de la Virgen
October 12, Dia de la Hispanidad
November 01, All Saints
December 06, Dia de la Constitucion
December 08, Immaculate Conception
December 25 Christmas Day
Please note that, unlike the UK, ALL shops observe holidays and Sundays as closing. In Frigiliana
all shops are closed for siesta from 13:30 to 17:00.
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