Corpus Christi Festival

Both religious and secular, it's Granada's biggest annual bash

The feast of Corpus Christi, usually celebrated in June, is Granada's biggest festival, when the city pulls out all the stops to stage galas, parades, concerts, and sundry big events. Wednesday of that week is the Tarasca, of pagan origin, a procession featuring a woman who rides through the streets on the back of an enormous dragon, accompanied by figures of giants and "big-heads" of papier-mâché. Then on Thursday comes the veneration of the Eucharist (the eponymous Corpus Christi), taken from the cathedral and paraded through the streets in a grand monstrance. When the procession is over, everyone heads to the Real de la Feria fairground for much eating, drinking, dancing, and general merriment. Also throughout the week, various special concerts, flamenco performances, competitions, bull fights, and other events are held.