Enjoy the splendor of Corpus Christi in Andalucia and its vibrant June festivities

Andalucia comes alive during the celebrations for Corpus Christi in June.

Sevilla and Granada are two cities that offer a Corpus Christi experience unlike any other. However, many towns in Andalucia also celebrate this festival. The region has a varied calendar of events that take place throughout the month. This allows travelers to immerse in the unique culture.

Sevilla: a city transformed by Faith and Fragrance

Sevilla’s Corpus Christi celebration is much more than a simple feast. It’s a day that’s deeply ingrained in the city identity. This important annual event is held 10 days following Pentecost. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages.

Instituted by Pope Urban IV in 1264 and later confirmed by Pope Clement V in 1311, the ‘Feast of the Body of God’ was established to counter Eucharistic heresies, with Pope Clement V further mandating a solemn procession to carry the Blessed Sacrament.

Sevilla’s central city undergoes an incredible transformation on this special day. Locals decorate their streets, balconies and shop windows in a festive manner.

There are altars beautifully placed along the route where the Monstrance is to pass. Fresh rosemary branches are also scattered liberally throughout the streets.

Sevillian Corpus Chrismi begins with a solemn Mass in the grand Cathedral of Seville on Thursday, 19th June 2025.

After the service, the procession makes its way through the San Miguel’s door. A truly unique and enchanting part of this spectacle is the presence of the ‘Seises’.

These young boys are a part of the Monstrance and perform their traditional ritualistic dances in red. They also wear hats. Throughout the entire procession the iconic Giralda bells will chime distinct peals adding to the majestic ambiance.

The procession, which is composed of a wide variety of floats or monstrances along with a number of different religious groups, brotherhoods and civil and military representatives all moving in unison, is an impressive spectacle.

The celebrations don’t stop with the main procession. Sevilla hosts two important but smaller processions on the Sunday after the main Corpus Christi: the Corpus Chico de Triana, and the Corpus de la Magdalena. This gives you the chance to enjoy this beloved tradition.

Granada: An Old Fair and Whimsical Parade

The festival of Corpus Christi, which is celebrated in Granada every year on the day of Corpus Christi, was established by the Catholic monarchs following their conquest of the town.

Here, religious practice blossoms into an entire religion. Feria The city is captivated by the beauty of this fair.

Starting the Saturday before Corpus Christi on June 19 and ending the following Saturday, it is as if the whole city has moved to an outdoor fairground. This vibrant hub features a wide range of ‘casetas (private marquees), a vibrant gathering spot with diverse attractions. It’s the perfect place to dance, eat and drink in a crowd of happy people.

The excitement builds on the eve of the main Corpus Christi day with the arrival of the whimsical parade of ‘La Tarasca’.

This spectacular show is a favorite with young children. It features a female model, dressed in the latest summer fashions, riding a dragon. She’s accompanied by a playfully animated entourage. ‘gigantes y cabezudosThe perfect appetizer for the main event, (giants or big-heads) adds a lighthearted and satirical touch to the festivities.

The grand day of Granada is Thursday, when the traditional and unique civic religious procession takes center stage.

This grand procession begins at the Cathedral of Granada, after a solemn mass. It includes a colorful retinue of horsemen, marching bands and folkloric dance groups.

The route is a sensory experience, with a soft carpet of aromatic plants like rosemary and grass.

Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Babylon. ‘Carocas’ in Plaza Bib-Rambla. You will find here satirical cartoons accompanied with five-line verses. They cleverly poke fun at the main events of the year and offer a humorous reflection on contemporary affairs.

At the fairgrounds, energy is never a problem. The mornings are filled with horse parades and elaborate floats. In the afternoons, it’s all about the fairground rides.

As the night falls, the Casetas Come alive with a festive and spirited atmosphere. The celebration will continue well into the night, combining ancient tradition with modern merriment.

Corpus Christi Across Andalucia – Beyond the Grand Capitals

• Sevilla and Granada may be the most well-known, but Corpus Christi, the Christian festival of Christ’s resurrection, is celebrated in Andalucia with great fervor, featuring the flower carpets which are a trademark of the celebration.
• Benalmádena Pueblo (Málaga Province): This charming white village on the Costa del Sol is renowned for its spectacular flower carpets that transform the streets around Plaza de España into a vibrant work of art. It is worth seeing the intricate designs made from colored flowers and greenery.
• Zahara de la Sierra (Cádiz Province): This picturesque white village, nestled in the Sierra de Grazalema, holds a particularly celebrated Corpus Christi, known for its deep-rooted traditions and impressive floral decorations.
• Córdoba: While not as famous for its Corpus Christi as for its Patio Festival in May, Córdoba also holds significant celebrations with solemn processions.
• Salteras: Due to the agricultural heritage of Salteras, it is unique that this town holds its Corpus Christi fair in August. This is an interesting alternative for summer visitors.

Andalucia: Other unforgettable June events

June in Andalusia is bursting with cultural and traditional events.

• Granada International Music and Dance Festival : This festival, which is world-renowned, begins in mid-June and runs into July. It transforms Granada to a stage where world-class performers perform. Imagine listening to a string quartet in the Generalife gardens or watching flamenco dancers under the stars at the Alhambra – a truly unforgettable cultural experience.
• Noche de San Juan (Night of San Juan – June 23rd): As midsummer arrives, beaches across Andalusia come alive on the night of June 23rd for San Juan. As locals and tourists gather to jump on flames, make wish, and burn old problems, bonfires are lit, fireworks illuminate the sky, music fills the atmosphere. From Almería to Huelva, it’s a magical night where ancient rituals meet modern revelry.
• Feria de San Bernabé (Marbella, Málaga): Usually held in the second week of June, this fair honors Marbella’s patron saint, St. Bernard. This fair features traditional celebrations as well as a Feria King & Queen contest and an inauguration of fireworks.
• Cherry Festival (Alfarnate, Málaga): Typically held on the third Saturday of June, this delightful festival celebrates the cherry-picking season in the charming hilltown of Alfarnate in the Axarquía region.

You can choose to experience the traditional beauty of Corpus Christi and its processions, enjoy a night of dancing at a feria or see the magic of San Juan. June in Andalucia is a trip into the heart of Spanish tradition and culture.

You can find more information at andalucia.org.

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