July is the month with the most festivals in Spain. It's getting hot, schools and universities have already closed, and much of the country is either on holiday or hosting visitors from abroad. Cities get busier, nights get longer, and the festival calendar keeps up a pace that doesn't let up until September.
Here's the agenda of what not to miss in Spain in July 2026.
San Fermín (Pamplona)
6 to 14 July - Pamplona
San Fermín is the most famous festival in Pamplona and undoubtedly one of the best known in Spain. Everyone knows it for the encierros, in which bulls run after hundreds of people through the narrow streets of the old town, but the celebration goes well beyond that. It lasts nine full days, packed with music, parades, processions, wine, food and that unmistakable look defined by white clothing with red neckerchiefs.
The festival begins at midday on 6 July with the chupinazo and runs until the 14th. The encierros take place every morning, early, but the celebration fills the streets all day long.
If you're thinking of running with the bulls, be aware that it's dangerous and carries a real risk of injury, being trampled or gored. The route demands physical fitness and strict adherence to safety rules, running under the influence of alcohol or drugs is forbidden, and proper footwear is required.
If you'd like to understand the festival in more depth, we have a full article explaining San Fermín in detail..
More information and the 2026 programme are available on the official website.
The Fiestas del Apóstol Santiago
15 to 31 July (the key days are 24 and 25 July) - Santiago de Compostela + all of Spain
Saint James is the patron saint of all of Spain, and on 25 July there are celebrations in his honour across the whole country.
The largest of these takes place in Santiago de Compostela, the city that bears the saint's name, holds his remains in its Cathedral, and marks the final destination of the Camino de Santiago. The festivities last around two weeks, from 15 to 31 July, but the days that really matter are the 24th and 25th.
On the night of the 24th, the Cathedral façade in Obradoiro Square becomes the stage for a light and projection show that ends in fireworks. On the 25th, St James's Day and also Galicia's National Day, a mass is held with the National Offering to the Apostle made by the King or a representative of the Royal Household, along with the Botafumeiro (a giant incense burner that swings through the cathedral's central nave).
Other Santiago celebrations across Spain:
- Madrid and the surrounding area: the capital has popular festivities, music and family activities on 25 July, particularly in the Carabanchel area. Colmenarejo, on the outskirts, also holds events including a bullfighting fair, orchestras and open-air summer cinema.
- El Raso (Ávila): a village belonging to the municipality of Candeleda that celebrates its festival in honour of Santiago from 25 to 27 July, with mass, a procession and a floral offering. After the religious part, the festival continues with young cows released into the streets and a foam party, in a format that's more popular and family-oriented than Compostela's.
- Villanueva de la Serena (Extremadura): the town celebrates the Ferias y Fiestas de Santiago y Santa Ana. The programme includes synchronised drone shows and charity stew gatherings, alongside the traditional events.
Music festivals
July is also a strong month for anyone chasing live music, with festivals spread across several regions of the country.
Resurrection Fest
Music: metal, punk, hardcore
Where: Viveiro, Lugo
When: 1 to 4 July
More information
Spain's biggest metal and punk festival reaches its 21st edition with Iron Maiden, Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson, Sabaton and Anthrax among the headline.
Vida Festival
Music: Indie, pop, folk and experimental
Where: Vilanova i la Geltrú
When: 2 to 4 July
More information
Held in the gardens of the Masia d'en Cabanyes, the 2026 line-up includes Fatboy Slim, Amaia, Guitarricadelafuente, Aldous Harding and Charlotte Cardin.
Barcelona Rock Fest
Music: rock, heavy metal, punk
Where: Parc de Can Zam in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona
When: 3 to 5 July
More information
A heavy and power metal festival, with Megadeth, Sex Pistols, Helloween, Sabaton and The Offspring among the headliners.
Cruïlla Festival
Music: pop, rock, folk and electronic
Where: Parc del Fòrum, Barcelona
When: 8 to 11 July
More information
Known for its eclectic bill, the 2026 line-up brings together names such as Pixies, David Byrne, The Black Crowes, Bomba Estéreo and Faithless.
Mad Cool
Music: rock, indie, pop
Where: Madrid (Iberdrola Music, Villaverde)
When: 8 to 11 July
More information
Celebrating its tenth edition with Foo Fighters, Florence + The Machine, Twenty One Pilots, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Pixies.
Bilbao BBK Live
Music: rock, pop, electronic
Where: Kobetamendi (Bilbao)
When: 9 to 11 July
More information
Marking its 20th anniversary with Robbie Williams, Calvin Harris, David Byrne, IDLES and Lily Allen among the main names.
Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB)
Music: indie, rock, electronic
Where: Benicàssim (Castellón)
When: 16 to 18 July
More information
In its 30th edition, bringing The Prodigy, Biffy Clyro, Franz Ferdinand, The Kooks and Kaiser Chiefs.
Monegros Desert Festival
Music: techno
Where: the Monegros desert, near Fraga (Aragón)
When: 25 July
More information
A test of endurance in the desert, with more than 20 hours of non-stop electronic music. Featuring Richie Hawtin, Amelie Lens, Ben Klock, Joseph Capriati and others.
Dreambeach
Music: EDM, techno, drum & bass, house
Where: Vélez-Málaga, Costa del Sol (Málaga)
When: 31 July and 1 August
More information
Debuting a new venue on the Costa del Sol in 2026, with two days of electronic music and names such as David Guetta, Eric Prydz and Nico Moreno on the bill.
Village festivals and curious traditions
Spain has festivals happening all over in July. Here are the most interesting events of the month, beyond the ones already mentioned.
Hita medieval festival (Guadalajara) - 3 to 5 July: a medieval re-enactment among the ruins of the Church of San Pedro, with plays based on the work of the Archpriest of Hita, jousting tournaments, botarga parades and a medieval market through the streets. We've visited ourselves and loved it, so if you'd like to know more, take a look at our article on the Hita medieval fair.
Fiesta del Cordero (Lena, Asturias) - 5 July (first Sunday of July): held in the Prau Llagüezos meadow, the festival is an ode to lamb slowly roasted over an open fire, with bagpipe music, traditional dancing and cider tasting throughout the day.
Festival Internacional del Mundo Celta (Ortigueira, A Coruña) - 8 to 12 July: one of the largest Celtic music festivals in Europe, with bagpipe bands, traditional dancing and artists from several Celtic countries.
Romería Regional de San Benito Abad (San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife) - 12 July: the only romería in the whole of the Canary Islands to hold "regional" status, with dozens of decorated carts and folk groups parading through the historic centre.
Festival de la Sidra Natural de Nava (Asturias) - 10 to 12 July: since 1969, the town has celebrated the region's most traditional drink. On the Saturday, the chupinazo kicks off free tastings of thousands of litres of cider, with the only condition for drinking without paying being a green neckerchief tied round your neck. On the Sunday, the International Escanciadores Contest takes place, where competitors pour cider the traditional way, raising the bottle high above their heads.
Moros y Cristianos de Orihuela (Alicante) - 12 to 19 July: parades and historical re-enactments of the Reconquest, with elaborate costumes and staged battles through the streets of the city.
Gran Prix de Carrilanas de Esteiro (Muros, A Coruña) - 17 to 19 July: a soapbox cart race that forms part of the Santa Mariña festivities. It began in 1988 as a game among neighbours and now draws thousands of spectators, with categories for children, originality and speed.
Concurso Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonía (Torrevieja, Alicante) - 19 to 25 July: a tribute to the sailors of Torrevieja who once traded with Cuba and brought back habaneras, a musical genre that became a tradition along the Spanish coast. Since 1955, the contest has brought together choirs from various countries at the Eras de la Sal, the town's former salt depot by the harbour.
Crónica Najerense (Nájera, La Rioja) - 21 to 25 July: a historical re-enactment set in the Middle Ages, with a period market and performances through the streets of the town centre.
Fiesta Vaqueira (Valdés, Asturias) - 26 July: dedicated to the "vaqueiros", a group with their own roots and customs whose main occupation was transhumant livestock farming. The highlight is a real vaqueiro wedding, with the couple wearing traditional dress and their trousseau carried in carts. The day also includes traditional dances accompanied by local instruments.
Festival del Cante de las Minas (La Unión, Murcia) - 29 July to 8 August: considered the most important flamenco event in the world, bringing together singing, dance and guitar in a former town market. It began in 1961, rooted in the musical tradition of the region's miners, and helped revive a local style of flamenco that had nearly disappeared some 50 years earlier.
