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What’s on in Spain: July 2015

From bull running to beach festivals, The Local rounds up some of the best events in Spain this July.

Published: 27 June 2015 11:08 CEST
What's on in Spain: July 2015
Benicassim takes place from July 16th - 19th. Photo: Jose Jordan/AFP

CULTURE

Merida International Festival of Classical Theatre (Teatro Romano, Merida) July 1st-August 27th

For a whole two months, classical theatre performances will run at Merida’s stunningly preserved Ancient Roman theatre, the Teatro Romano. 

Photo: http://www.festivaldemerida.es

Veranos de la Villa (summer in the city) (Madrid) From July 3rd

Film, theatre, music and dance share equal prominence in Madrid’s festival of culture that spans some of the city’s best venues, including the Teatro Circo Price and Matadero Madrid. The festival runs from July 3rd until the end of August and will see performances from the likes of Ara Malikian and Silvia Perez Cruz.

 
MUSIC
 
Cordoba Guitar Festival (Cordoba) July 1st-12th

This international festival celebrates every aspect of the instrument, running classes on historical playing styles such as flamenco and medieval, and even guitar making. An extensive programme of concerts incorporates blues, jazz and folk performances by talented musicians from around the world. 

FIB – Festival Internacional de Benicassim (Benicassim, Valencia) July 16th-19th

An ever-popular fixture on the international festival circuit dubbed 'Glastonbury in the sun', FIB takes place in the Valenciano seaside resort of Benicassim. This year’s headliners include The Prodigy, Blur, Portishead and Crystal Fighters. 

Photo: Ignacio Brotons/Flickr

Low Festival, Benidorm (Benidorm) July 24th-26th

The “low” of this festival’s name refers to low cost, with a standard three day ticket setting music fans back a mere €49. Top of the bill this year are Kasabian, The Libertines and Foals.

FIESTAS
 
San Fermin (Pamplona) July 6th-14th

As much a Spanish institution as tapas, flamenco and paella is bull running, and the San Fermin running of the bulls in Pamplona is by far the biggest event of its kind in Spain, thanks to being made world famous by Ernest Hemingway. The festival runs from the 6th-14th July. Anyone can take part in the 8am 'encierros' as long as they’re over eighteen and sober. 

Photo: Ville Miettinen/Flickr

Rapa das Bestas (shearing of the beasts) (Pontevedra, Galicia) July 3rd-7th

Every year, hundreds of wild horses are captured from the mountains surrounding Pontevedra in Galicia to have their manes and tails cut by “horse fighters” before being released back into the hills, in a traditional local festival dating back 400 years. This being Spain there is a party attached to the haircut with music and merrymaking.

Madrid Pride July 1st-5th

Parties, live street performances and a colossal parade take over Madrid between 1st and 5th July in one of the biggest and best gay pride events in Europe.

SPORT

Red Bull X-Fighters Tour (Madrid) July 10th

A chance to see some death-defying stunts as motorcross riders from around the world descend on Madrid’s La Ventas bullring for the freestyle motorcross championships.

By Rory Jones

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EVENTS

How Cologne is preparing for the start of Carnival on Friday

Dressing up, singing, and drinking: On Friday, countless Jecken (revelers) in Cologne will once again celebrate the start of the Carnival session.

Published: 9 November 2022 10:29 CET
How Cologne is preparing for the start of Carnival on Friday

Dubbed Germany’s “fifth season” by locals, the event starts every year on November 11th at 11:11 am, and typically stretches into February or March, when colourful parades spill into the streets.

Carnival stronghold Cologne in particular is preparing for the onslaught of tens of thousands of people who will flock to its Altstadt (old town), and especially to the student quarter, starting early Friday morning. 

READ ALSO: 10 unmissable events in Germany this November

“Far too many people want to celebrate in far too small a space,” city director Andrea Blome told DPA. “We can’t stop anyone from coming to Cologne now.” 

More security this year

In the popular Kwartier Latäng student quarter, there have been regular bouts of drinking by young partygoers in the past, who crowded into a confined space, leaving litter everywhere and publicly peeing on the corners of buildings. 

Google Maps shows the location of the so-called Kwartier Latäng part of Cologne.

But with a new security plan, the city and police hope to keep the situation under control.

Several checkpoints and road closures have been set up to secure the safety of the revelers and relieve the burden on worried residents, according to Blome. Visitors will only be able to enter the closed-off area around Zülpicher Straße via a single access point. 

On Friday, Cologne is also set to send a total of 150 employees from the Ordnungsamt (public order office) onto the streets, who will be supported by 520 private security guards. 

A glass ban will again apply in the celebration zones, and several hundred toilets will be set up at the hotspots, “which nevertheless will probably not be used by all visitors,” Blome predicted.

READ ALSO: 10 words you need to know at Cologne’s Carnival

Up to 1,100 police officers are expected to be on duty on the day – about 200 fewer than last year, said head of operations Rüdiger Fink. But he expected to keep the situation “under control with a new security plan.”

What to expect

On Cologne’s Heumarkt, there will be a stage program all day with bands such as the Bläck Fööss, the Paveiern and Brings. 

Google Maps shows Cologne’s Heumarkt along the Rhine River.

According to the Willi Ostermann Society, about 10,000 tickets were sold in advance for the event, which will be aired by German WDR for several hours.

Meanwhile, in Düsseldorf, the day will start at 11:11 a.m. with the “Hoppeditz Awakening” in front of City Hall. 

According to a spokesman, the police will be adequately prepared for the start of the season, with a particular focus on the Altstadt, where there will certainly be celebrations.

“But 11.11. is a very different event here in Düsseldorf than in Cologne,” he said, referring to a more orderly start and fewer guests.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about celebrating Carnival in Germany

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