Carnavales
Carnival in Granada comes around every February, and the locals celebrate it by dressing up in silly costumes and go to hear comedians and entertainers improvise satirical songs or poems about the locals and the national figures. If you happen to be in town during the festival, you're more than welcome to dress up and join in the fun.

Día de la Cruz
Granada's most popular and good-natured festival is perhaps the Day of the Cross which comes around every May 3. This 3-day festival has its roots in a pagan ritual to celebrate the end of winter which coincides with the summer solstice. Every street and square are decorated with crosses made out of different materials such as fresh flowers, shells, fans and farm tools. The locals adorn themselves in gypsy outfits and then go to the bar and and dance in the streets.

Aniversario de Mariana Pineda
Mariana Pineda was the local heroine who helped push the liberal cause to promote the nation's political development during the 19th century and was sentenced to death by the ruling monarchists in consequence. A square was built in her name which is turned into a venue hosting cultural activities and entertainments to honor her memory every May 26.

Fiesta del Albayzín
Albayzín is the venue for a small-scale but vibrant local festival with a religious air. The celebration of Saint Peter's Day is held every June 29. The residents decorate their streets and squares and organize music and communal dancing. On the actual date, everyone wears their attractive Andalusian suits and dresses for the occasion and then follow the religious procession on foot, on horseback or on wagons decorated with garlands of flowers, out to the little chapel of San Miguel.

Corpus Christi
Cospus Christi is one of Granada's official festival. The 8-day festival starts with the Eucharist Procession where the onlookers toss herbs and flowers onto the ground as the procession arrives and then follows the funfair in Almanjar on the outskirts of town. Locals put on their traditional Andalusian suits and dresses, take their carefully groomed horses and carriages and set out to enjoy the stalls, rides, games and competitions.

Semana Santa
Semana Santa in Granada is celebrated with as much religious fervor as every where else in Spain. The most atmospheric procession of the week transports the Cristo de los Gitanos (Gypsy Christ) through Sacromonte to the sound of saetas (religious flamenco song). The procession takes around 14 hours to run its course and it's simply an overwhelming event to behold.

Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias
Open-air fairs, bullfights and other special events are organized to celebrate the day of Granada's patron saint, La Virgen de las Angustias. The date always falls on the last Sunday in September. The celebration starts with the parade carrying the statue of the Virgin through the streets on a flower-laden throne followed by civic luminaries and members of religious brotherhoods, then ends with a traditional street market selling typical autumnal fruits and savoury pastries.