During May the inland town of Alhaurin El Grande which is located about 30km from Malaga in Andalucia is defiantly the place to be if you are someone who likes the fairs and fiestas of Spain.
The celebrations in the town begin at on the 1st of May which is Labour Day  (Fiesta del Trabajo) a public holiday right across Spain.

In Alhaurin El Grande however this day also marks the beginning of a series of fairs and fiestas which culminate in the towns Feria at the end of the month.

Between the 1st and the 3rd Of May the area celebrates the Día de la Cruz (Day of the Crosses)

Over the 3 days the town´s streets are filled with the sound of bands playing and every night you can see a procession carrying the image of the “Lord” through the streets on a carpet of rosemary with a processional entourage. The celebrations come to a final climax on the 3rd day when the festivities start at 8am and go on all day.

One thing to look out for is the stunning floral displays that are located on the terraces and balconies of the town as they are truly magnificent.

Also on the 1st in the Villafranco area which is between Alhaurin and Coin they celebrate the Romeria de Villafranco del Guadalhorce (The Pilgrimage of Villafranco del Guadalhorce)
This pilgrimage which is in honor of the Patroness M ª Auxiliadora begins with a  collection of stunning horses and carriages in the Square, followed  by a mass  .

After the Mass there is a procession of floats one of which carries the image of the patroness , along the road to the Rio Grande which is accompanied by people in carriages, on horseback and even on foot.

Once they arrive at the river, families spend the day singing dancing and enjoying each other´s company. Everyone is greeted with a glass of fresh sangria on arrival and later on to a plate of paella.

Then at around 8pm everyone makes their way back to Villafranco where the pilgrimage ends with the safe return of the patroness until next year.

On the 15th of the Month it is the Festividad de San Isidro Labrador when the Neighborhood of San Isidro celebrate their day with a procession around the streets of the Barriada (Neighborhood) culminating normally in the setting of fireworks.

Then between the 27th and 31st of May the town celebrates its Feria with most of the activities including the fairground rides, live music and much eating and drinking taking place on the feria ground at the Antonio Solano parque and in the historical centre of the town.
This is the main celebration in the town during the year and the celebrations carry on late into the night accompanied by fireworks.
The final night of the Feria is worth attending simply because of the final firework display just don’t plan on getting much sleep if you are planning to stay in Alhaurin El Grande over the period of the feria

For info, please call the Town Hall.
Address: Plaza del Convento
Telephone: (+34) 952 490 000
Website: www.alhaurinelgrande.net