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CULTURE

What’s on in Spain: February 2015

From blowing away the cobwebs at the Seville marathon to marvelling at the creating of the most exciting new designers at Madrid fashion week, here are some of the best events going on around Spain in February, all guaranteed to beat those winter blues.

Published: 23 January 2015 14:02 CET
What's on in Spain: February 2015
Performers parade during the drag queen competition during the spectacular Las Palmas Carnival, in Gran Canaria, in 2013. Photo: Desiree Martin/AFP.

Arts and style

Madrid Fashion Week , February 14th – 18th: The Spanish capital turns on the glitz and glamour for Madrid Fashion Week this month, when designers, from established Spanish classics like Agatha Ruiz de la Prada to a host of exciting young newcomers show their latest creations. 

Animac, international animated film festival, (Lleida, Catalonia), February 19th – 22nd: If you're a fan of animation, the Animac animated film festival might be right up your street. This annual, non-competitive film showcase brings together some of the best animators from around the world to showcase their latest film. 2015 will mark the 19th anniversary of the festival.

Jerez flamenco festival (Jerez, Andalusia), February 20th – March 7th: Jerez, in southern Spain, transforms into the world capital of flamenco in February with dozens of events, performances and shows featuring the passionate Spanish dance.   

Promo Festival de Jerez 2015 from Ayuntamiento de Jerez on Vimeo.

Festivals

La Endiablada devil festival (Almonacid, near Cuenca), February 1st – 4th: Every year at the beginning of February, visitors flock to the small town of Almonacid del Marquesado near Cuenca where locals celebrate La Endiablada, or the 'devil festival'. Locals dress up as devils and roam the streets in a tradition dating back to the 13th century. The festival celebrates the Purification of the Virgin Mary, or La Candelaria, as well as the patron saint of the town, San Blas. 

San Cecilio festival (Granada): San Cecilio, the patron saint of Granada, is celebrated in this festival which centres on Sacromonte, the whitewashed area of the city traditionally home to gypsies and flamenco dancers, who performed in the caves dotted around the hillside overlooking Granada. During the festival, it is traditional to visit the monastery of Sacromonte then enjoy good food and dancing well into the night. 

Sitges Carnival, February 10th – 18th: Over 250,000 people flock to the coastal town of Sitges about 35km (22 miles) from Barcelona, every February for one of the biggest gay carnivals in the world. The week is packed with parades, parties and shows and the gay-friendly town opens its doors to thousands of revellers. 

Cadiz Carnival, February 12th – 22nd: One of the best known carnivals in Spain, Cadiz Carnival’s origins date back to the 16th century. These days it’s all about dressing up and poking fun at politicians and people in the news, as well as the usual eating and drinking of course. 

One of the many singing groups that battle it out during Cadiz's carnival.

Las Palmas carnival, Gran Canaria, January 31st – February 21st: If you like your carnivals flashy, loud and sequinned then this Rio-style carnival is for you. For three weeks Gran Canaria ups the glitz and includes parades, dressing up and beach-centred activities under the (hopefully) gloriously sunny Canary island weather. 

Sport

El Derbí (Madrid) – Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid , February 7th, 4pm: One of the biggest games of Spanish football takes place this month, when Madrid's two big teams face off against each other in Atlético’s Vicente Caldarón stadium. Will Real make up for their recent loss against their cross-city rivals during the King's Cup? 

Atlético Madrid's midfielder Raul García (L) vies with Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo: AFP


Seville marathon (Seville), February 22nd, 9am: If hills aren't your thing, why not take part in the flattest marathon in Europe, which takes in some of the most picturesque sights of Seville along the route. Registration is open till February 18th if you fancy taking up a New Year´s challenge. Otherwise, why not lend your support to the runners by cheering them on from the side lines?

CULTURE

The best new Spanish TV series to binge-watch

Looking to improve your language skills while getting hooked on the most engrossing Spanish TV shows? Here are the most bingeable made-in-Spain series from 2023 and 2024 to watch on TV or stream.

Published: 7 May 2024 10:33 CEST
The best new Spanish TV series to binge-watch

The Asunta Case

A true-crime-inspired story on Netflix, the Asunta Case was just released at the end of April, but already has some fans. It tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who goes missing and the search to find her. Soon, the trail leads to her adoptive parents, who are accused of being involved with her disappearance and the story takes an even darker turn. 

Berlín

A spin-off of the highly successful Casa de Papel or Money Heist in English. It follows one of the characters, Berlín and is a kind of prequel in that it tells the story of his criminal career before we get to know him in Casa de Papel. It takes place in Paris, where a gang of endearing Spanish criminals, led by Berlín, make a plan to steal €44 million worth of precious jewels. Some fans complained that Casa de Papel dragged on too long and got a bit ridiculous towards the end, but have been very enthusiastic about this one.

Cristóbal Balenciaga

Poligots will enjoy this new series from Disney+, which is originally in Spanish, Basque and French. It tells the story of world-famous Basque fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga and how he aims to present his first haute couture collection in Paris. It stars Spanish actor Alberto San Juan as the lead role, but international audiences will more than likely recognise Gemma Whelan who played Yara Greyjoy in the hit series Game of Thrones.

La Mesías

Spanish newspaper El Diario named La Mesías as its top series for 2023, beating a total of 43 it reviewed. It’s showing on Movistar+ and is part thriller and part drama. It tells the tale of Enric who had a traumatic childhood controlled by his overly religious mother and whose life is heavily impacted by a viral video of a Christian pop band made up of five sisters.

Machos Alfa

Translated as Alpha Males in English, this Netflix series first came out at the end of 2022, but the second season recently premiered in February 2024. It’s a comedy, following a group of four friends in their 40s who start to feel lost in this new society of feminists and empowered women and start to question their masculinity and the way they should act with women. 

Las Noches de Tefía

Created by Miguel del Arco, who co-wrote and co-directed the series, Las Noches de Tefía is available on ATRESPlayer PREMIUM. It’s set inside a Francoist concentration camp on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, a place where vagabonds, protestors of the regime, and homosexuals are sent.

El Inmortal

El Inmortal is available on Movistar+ and first came out in 2022. It was renewed for a second season which was recently released at the end of February 2024. It takes place in the 90s, during the time when gangs controlled Madrid’s nightclub scene and were involved in cocaine trafficking. The story follows Los Miamis a criminal organisation led by José Antonio, better known as El Inmortal, who becomes one of the city’s most successful drug lords. It’s based on the real life Los Miami gang and their leader Juan Carlos Peña.

Déjate Ver 

This Spanish and Catalan series available on Atresplayer was called “the hidden gem of the year” by newspaper El Diario and is a quirky comedy about Ana, an artist’s assistant who who has begun to disappear. After receiving a diagnosis from the doctor she realises that if she doesn’t want to continue disappearing she must completely change her life around.

Nacho

Another from Atresplayer, Nacho reveals the secrets of the Spanish porn industry during the 90s. It’s set in Barcelona and follows title character Nacho, from his religious upbringing to his rise, becoming one of the most recognisable and influential figures in the adult film industry in the country. It’s based on the real life story of Ignacio Jordà González, better known as Nacho Vidal, one of Spain’s most famous pornographic actors and directors.

Los Farad

Set in Marbella during the 80s, Los Farad follows Oskar, a young man with the dream of setting up his own gym. It stars Miguel Herrán, who was also in two of the most popular Spanish series in recent years – Money Heist and Elite. He’s given the opportunity to come into some money by going to live with his girlfriend’s family in the Costa del Sol, but in return has to be part of the family business, which turns out is somewhat akin to the mafia. It’s available on Amazon Prime and first came out in December 2023. 

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