Local Holidays
Three Kings Parade
5 January 2013
Carnival
9-17 February 2013
Semana Santa - Holy Week
28-31 March 2013
Being moved by Semana Santa in Rota is easy as here the week is lived out with a special devotion. The highlights include The Hermanidades de la Borroquita (Sunday), la Salud (Tuesday), el Cautivo (Wednesday), los Dolores (Thursday), Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, la Veracruz and Santo Entierro (Friday).
Romería de San Isidro Labrador
21 April 2013
The Patron Saint is moved from his temple to the Pines of the Almadraba where the Romeria is celebrated.
Feria de Primavera
2 - 5 May 2013
In the casetas of the feria grounds people enjoy vino de la tierra (fortified wines), they dance and sing and along the feria streets one can see horses with beautifully dressed women of Rota, jockeys and carriages.
Fiesta de San Juan
To mark the eve of the traditional festivities of San Juan, different coteries of local tablaos installed in their places for the traditional burning of "Juanillo", which begin at twelve o'clock. The main event is the burning on the Costilla beach of Juanillo installed by the Delegation of festivities, ending with fireworks.
Corpus Christi
30 May 2013
For the day of the celebration of Corpus Christi, squares are decorated with flags and grounds Eucharistic alluding to the festivity. Altars are installed in squares and streets. Neighbors adorn the balconies and windows with pots and Manila shawl and everything is wrapped by a pleasant smell of thyme and rosemary that previously had been spread as a carpet for the early morning procession.
Fiestas de la Virgen del Carmen
16 July 2013
The sailors adorn their boats and accompany the Virgin in a procession to El Puerto.
Fiesta de la Urta
2 - 4 August 2013
In mid august this popular fiesta is celebrated in honour of the typical Rota dish “Urta a la Roteña”. The festival lasts for 4 days. The day that is dedicated to the Urta sees the popular contest for the best prepared dish of the locality. The fiesta has been declared to be of National Tourist Interest.
Fiestas Patronales
4 - 7 October 2013
These fiestas are celebrated in honour of the Virgin of Rosario, patron saint of Rota, at the beginning of October. Fiestas with cavalcades of giants and cabezudos (people with huge heads) and rockets. They choose the maiden of honour and leave in procession for the Virgin of Rosario.
