Honorary designation given to festivals or events held in Spain
The category of Fiesta of National Tourist Interest (Spanish: Fiestas de Interés Turístico Nacional, Basque: Interes Turistiko Nazionaleko Jaiak, Catalan: Festes d'Interès Turístic Nacional / Valencian: Festes d'Interés Turístic Nacional, Galician: Festas de Interese Turístico Nacional) in Spain is an honorary designation given by the General Secretariat of Tourism of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Government of Spain to fiestas, festivals or events held in Spain that offer real interest as national tourism attractions. This category was created in 1979 to adjust the new competences of the ministries in the transition.[1] Since 1965, and until 1979, there was only the declaration of Fiesta of Tourist Interest, and with the new reform the honorary designations were divided into three tiers: Festivals of International Tourist Interest, Festivals of National Tourist Interest and Festivals of Tourist Interest.
After five years holding this distinction, events with a wide international projection that meet certain requirements,[2] may be elevated to the higher distinction of Fiesta of International Tourist Interest.
January
Fiestas during the month of January
Image
Name
Days
Concession
La Vijanera Silió (Cantabria) This is a winter masquerade or carnival with many similarities to other celebrations that take place throughout Europe since the last week of December to late February. According to some experts its origin has to do with the Upper Paleolithic zoomorphic paintings and has been assimilated mainly features of the Celtic and Roman cultures.[3]
First Sunday of January, unless this match the new year, then moves to the next
Cavalcade of Magi of Seville Seville (Andalusia) This traditional Cavalcade of Magi is considered the oldest in Andalusia, and has its origin in 1918. Emerged to bring happiness to disadvantaged children and has become an important event full of music, color and fantasy.[4]
5
Els Traginers of Igualada Igualada (Barcelona) This popular fiesta of the traginers is the oldest of Catalonia, as it takes place since 1822, in commemoration to Anthony the Great. The main element holding the horse as beast of drag, so it is an endless parade of carts and carriages.[5]
Tamborrada of San Sebastián Donostia-San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa) Originating in the 19th century, the fiesta begins with the raising of the flag that gives way to a whole day of music with drums and barrels through all the streets of the city until it is lowered again the flag.[6]