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Special Events and Celebrations in Ojen that coincide with our painting holidays

Below are some of the special dates on the Ojen Village Calendar. The Spanish appear to the ability to throw a large party at the drop of a sombrero. There are many other village fiestas not listed; flamenco, jazz, travelling film shows (shown in the Plaza against the church doors!) other classic films are shown weekly in the caves, art events and travelling shows, markets etc. We will keep this page up-dated as we hear about them.

April 6 - 8 April Semana Santa

A religious celebration of many days and evenings with village rituals to commemorate the death and celebrate the rising of Jesus Christ. Rich and spectacular, yet supremely and gloriously local. There are many processions where the large effigies of Jesus and Mary festooned in flowers and candles are carried out of the church and around the whole village by 32 strong young men, followed by a vast number of local worshippers.

May 1 The Workers Day,

So amazingly pueblo made. I have never stopped being amazed by the people who make this a big great day. Preparations are underway days before hand, shopping, talking and preparing picnics. Then around 8 or 9am on 1st May the village starts to empty to a country park just a few miles up the mountains, where 1000s of barbequed sardines and music fill the air. A village paella is prepared in the largest pan we have ever seen and then everyone is fed along with beer and wine. At around 8pm everyone returns to the village and the party continues into the small hours with dancing in the plaza. A very friendly and family orientated event

October 5 – 11 Ojen Feria.

A mad filled 6 days and nights of music food, families and friends fiesta. We can tell you more on request. Not for the faint hearted

Junio 4 Romeria de la Fuente Santa.

 Just a huge pueblo celebration. The whole village leave en masse and congregate on a wild plateau above the village for the whole day. This place is owned by the people of Ojen and the music, the sardines and the dancing are enchanting. Then we all return to the village and the plaza is turned into a dancing heaven. Can go on for a wee while into the night.

Junio 23 Noche de san Juan.

Pagan in origin, this is a romantic ritual. Females should bathe in roses and then jump over water.  Normally, these days we watch the whole village eat (more delicious sardines barbequed on the spot at one time), drink, dance, play games and then set fire to effigies of a man and a woman who are at the centre attraction. Then there is mayhem as the young men find any vessel they can find to chuck water over the young females. Mad but lovely. We once lay in bed and heard this going on till 3am till a loud old male voice shouted "Enough". And it was quiet.

Junio Charity Football Marathon. June

Well intended and very fast as it is played on concrete. Ouch!

The village is buzzing through the Friday evening and most of the night with local of 6 a-side teams battle out till around Saturday 4am, when the semi-finals are decided. The following afternoon in sweltering heat we can enjoy the final play and celebrate along with the winning young men swaggering around with the cup singing their "championes" chants An event which gels the older and younger members of the village.

Luna Mora early September. One week long

This is an amazing celebration of the moon, in particular, the Moor Moon. In the small village of Guaro, just a few miles from Ojen, this celebration of the moon is now in its 10th year. As you climb up the mountain in the dark you can just start to make out the candles, some 20,000 of them which the local people have lit for your pleasure, and it does please. Windows, balconies, gardens and all the bars are candle lit. It is Moorish in theme and a warm welcome awaits all visitors. The markets and performances are so original with allsorts of fare on offer; toffee almond sweets being handmade, leather goods and crafts, spices and soaps, handcrafted toys, jewellery and much much more. This is a wonderful spectacle with everyone dressed in Moorish clothes. The performances are of the best quality attracting top performers form Spain and from north Africa.  A very original, beautiful and well organised event. Free entry to the market and some entertainment. Ticketed events such as large concerts etc.