Advertisement

What's on in Spain: January 2016

The Local Spain
The Local Spain - [email protected]
What's on in Spain: January 2016
Children celebrate San Sebastian's saint day - La Tamborrada. Photo: Rafa Rivas / AFP

The holidays have come and gone, but there's still plenty to do in Spain during the first month of the year.

Advertisement

Fiestas

Fiesta de las Cuadrillas, Barranda, Murcia (January 23rd - 25th)

Musical bands or "cuadrillas" from around Spain take part in this annual music events with performers taking over streets and plazas around the southeastern village. There are various "battles" between the bands throughout the fest as well as exhibits about folklore and music.

'Botillo' Festival, Bembibre, León (January 30th)


Photo: Jose Gonzalvo Vivas / Flickr Creative Commons.

Carnivorous fans of cured meat looking for a Spanish dish other than jamón should consider this local specialty - botillo, a meat-stuffed pork intestine. The festival kicks off at the end of January and continues through February with a public gala celebrating the beloved meat.

Music

Great New Year Concert: Strauss Festival Orchestra, Madrid (January 8th and 9th)


Photo: Strauss Festival Orchestra.

Madrid kicks off the new year with a celebration of Austrian composer Johann Strauss II. The Strauss Festival Orchestra will honour the "Waltz King" and his classics like the Blue Danube.

Canary Islands International Music Festival, Canary Islands (January 8th - February 12th)

The whole archipelago will be filled with classical music throughout January when the 32nd annual International Music Festival takes place. A total of 45 concerts will showcase accomplished pianists, chamber orchestras, renowned singers and international choral groups including the Vienna Boys Choir. 

Culture

The Triumph of Colour: From Van Gogh to Matisse, Barcelona (ends January 10th)

Photo: Bertrand Guay / AFP
 
The exhibit of more than 70 works on loan from the D'Orsay and L'Orangerie museums comes to a close on January 10th, so get your last glimpses of Van Gogh, Cézanne and Monet before the masterpieces go back home to Paris.

Tamborrada Drum Parade, San Sebastián (January 19th - 20th)

The Basque city in northern Spain celebrates its patron saint's day each year with a massive citywide drum battle called La Tamborrada. The fest kicks off at midnight of January 19th and continues all day on January 20th with costumes, parades and hundreds upon hundreds of drums. It's a huge 24-hour party with participants of all ages.

Tech

Global Robot Expo, Madrid, (January 28th - 31st)

This international Madrid robotics fair promises to be one of the biggest in Europe to show off the latest research, technology and new ideas to professionals and the general public. Humans will battle it out in competitions using their robot creations, including drones. The expo will also host a startups contest to compete for funding and accolades. 

Sport

Itálica International Cross-country race, Santiponce (January 17th)

Nearly 500 international runners are already registered for the annual event that runs through the Roman ruins of Santiponce near Seville. The competition is named for the ancient city of Itálica which was birthplace of Roman emperors Trajan and Hadrian.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also