April 18-23 - "Ferias de Abril".Located 540 kms. from Madrid, on banks of Guadal-quivir River; great monuments as La Giralda, the Cathedral, Torre del Oro; numerous museums.
What was originally a mercantile fair, was converted into a more colorful fiesta with series of popular festi vities, "verbenas", typical dances, plenty of eating and drinking and stalls offering sweets of all kinds; men and women ride on horseback in traditional dress, bullfights in Plaza de Toros "La Maestranza", with some important bullfights.
Cadiz Province - April 30-May 7 - "Feria del Caballo".Located 54 kms. from Cadiz, well known for its wines and wine-cellars.
Festive week includes Market Exhibition of Selected Cattle, Fair Exhibition of Agricultural and Industrial Machinery, horse fair, and popular festivities with bullfights and typical songs and dances taking place in the Hortoria Park.
May 1-25 - "Festival de los Patios Cordobeses".Located 402 kms, from Madrid. capital of Cordoba Province; La Mezquita; El AIcazar de los Keyes Cristia-nos; ruins of Medina Azzahara 6 kms, away, Celebrations consist of contest of crosses, patios, windows. and streets; Flamenco art in dance, song and scenes; pilgrimage to sanctuary of Nuestra Senora de la Virgen Conquistadora and to sanctuary of Linares; flower decorated floats.
Huelva Province - May 21 - "Romeria del Rocio".Located 48 kms. from Huelva.
One of the most important annual religious assemblies in Spain, colorful and full of piety. Pentecost pilgrimage from all western Andalucia and 33 affiliated fraternities from Sevilla, Huelva, Cadiz and Madrid, to sanctuary of Santisima Virgen del Rocio, Patron of Almonte.
No fixed dates - "Fiestas tipicas gaditanas".Located 691 kms, from Madrid, on small peninsula with modern beaches and important port.
Festivities include fancy dress dances, joke and choir competitions, election of Queen of Fiesta, cavalcade with 7000 participants, fireworks, bullfighting attractions, amusement park, International Joke Festival, humourous cavalcade, car rally.
Huelva Province - September 6-8 - "Romeria de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles".Located 112 kms. from Huelva; centre for excursions to local places of interest connected with Columbus, to Gruta de Ins Maravillas [Grotto of Marvels] in Aracena, and to Ermita de los Angeles pinned on the rock of Arias Montano.
Fiestas begin at exactly 11 a.m. on Sept. 6, with traditional and picturesque "Poleo"; town and local authorities moving towards Pena de Arias Montano. Pilgrimage leaves from Casa Consistorial; riders dressed in Andalucian style, accompanied by bands, to pay respects to Virgin; women dressed in "serrana" [mountaineer] style. Great gathering of pilgrims in very picturesque modes of transport.
Cadiz Province - September 6-10 - "Fiesta de la Vendimia Jerezana". (see Jerez above].Blessing of grape and "must" before image of San Gines de la Jara, Patron Saint of regional vine growers; horse-parade, with Queen of Fiesta and maids-of-honor; Flamenco festival; bullfights; horse-shows and some folkloric events organized by export firms.
Festival dates fixed for the centre city Sevilla are: March 26 - Apr. 2; Apr. 18-23; May 29 - June 4; Aug. 15; Dec. 8.
Fixed festival dates in Cordoba are March 26 - Apr. 2; May 1-25; May 25-30; Sept. 25-27.