During the lively and colourful fiestas the soul of Jerez truly comes alive. With a calendar punctuated by vibrant celebrations, Jerez offers a rich tapestry of cultural events that reflect its deep-rooted traditions and joyful character.

Feria del Caballo – The Horse Fair

Perhaps the most iconic of all Jerez’s celebrations is the Feria del Caballo, or Horse Fair, held each May. Designated a Festival of International Tourist Interest, the fair transforms the city’s Parque González Hontoria into a spectacle of light, colour, and festivity. Locals and visitors alike dress in traditional Andalusian attire—men in traje corto and women in polka-dotted flamenco dresses known as trajes de gitana.

By day, the fair is a showcase of equestrian elegance. The city’s long-standing love affair with horses is on full display with parades, riding exhibitions, and competitions featuring the famous Andalusian horse. By night, the casetas—temporary marquee tents—come alive with music, dancing, and generous servings of sherry and tapas. The sevillanas, a traditional folk dance, echo through the fairgrounds well into the early hours.

Semana Santa – Holy Week

Another major event is Semana Santa, or Holy Week, which occurs in the lead-up to Easter. Like many Andalusian cities, Jerez observes this solemn occasion with great reverence and pageantry. Throughout the week, religious processions wind through the historic streets of the city, featuring elaborately decorated pasos (floats) depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ.

Participants don traditional robes and hoods, and the air is filled with the scent of incense and the mournful sound of saetas, impassioned flamenco prayers sung from balconies. Semana Santa in Jerez offers a powerful blend of religious devotion and artistic expression, drawing both the faithful and the curious.

Festival de Jerez – Flamenco at its Finest

Every February and March, Jerez hosts the Festival de Jerez, one of the world’s premier flamenco festivals. As the birthplace of many renowned flamenco artists, the city becomes a magnet for aficionados and performers from around the globe. Theatres, peñas (flamenco clubs), and cultural centres come alive with a rich programme of concerts, workshops, and masterclasses.

From the rhythmic footwork of bailaoras (female dancers) to the raw emotion of flamenco singing and guitar playing, the festival is a celebration of an art form that is both fiercely local and internationally admired.

Vendimia – The Grape Harvest Festival

Held in early September, La Fiesta de la Vendimia celebrates Jerez’s wine-making heritage. Sherry, the fortified wine that bears the city’s name, has been produced here for centuries. The festival marks the beginning of the grape harvest with a range of events including traditional grape treading, wine tastings, and cellar tours.

The event also includes cultural exhibitions, music performances, and gastronomy fairs that honour the city’s unique blend of wine, culture, and community spirit.