Corpus Christi in Granada 2025 - Fairground, Processions and Major Attractions

Corpus Christi in Granada is considered the most significant celebration in the city and lasts for a full week.


Traditionally, Corpus Christi Thursday is a holiday in Granada, with shops closed. Friday is also a non-school day, and most businesses have limited morning hours throughout the week.

What is Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi literally means 'body of Christ' and originates from Latin.

Since Jesus Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, it has been venerated throughout the Catholic Church.

In the Corpus Christi procession the Eucharist is worshiped. It accompanies the Custody along the main streets of Granada and altars and awnings are placed along its route.

The first Monstrance of Corpus Christi in Granada was presented to the city by Queen Isabel la Católica in 1501.

Her intention was to establish this festival as the most significant in the city.

Thus the Catholic Monarchs aimed to firmly establish Christianity, which had recently arrived in Granada.

What Happens in Corpus Christi in Granada?

For an entire week, various celebrations and cultural events animate the streets: free puppet shows, a bullfighting festival, traditional processions, theater performances, concerts, exhibitions, and more.

Additionally, free flamenco and regional music performances take place both in the city center and in the casetas (large tents) at the fairground, located in the north of the city near the bus station.

Flamenco attire and decorations embellish the entire city, enhancing the incredible atmosphere!

When is Corpus Christi Celebrated in Granada?

Corpus Christi in Granada generally takes place in June, although its exact date is determined by Easter. It can be calculated by counting 60 days from Easter Monday.

This year, in year 2025, the Corpus Christi festivities are celebrated in Granada from June 14th to June 21st.

• June 18th 2025 – Tarasca parade.

• June 19th 2025 – Corpus Christi procession.

• June 14th to 21st - Granada fairground.

Please note that Corpus Christi is a holiday in the city of Granada. While in most towns in the province, Corpus Christi on Thursday is not a holiday, it is still celebrated nonetheless.

Corpus Christi Processions

During Corpus Christi, two major processions typically take place in Granada: the Tarasca and Corpus parade.

The Tarasca Procession

The first procession is the Tarasca (Tarasque), which has pagan origins and takes place on Wednesday morning, marking the beginning of a long school break. It is highly popular among children.

In this procession, a figure of a woman riding a dragon is accompanied by gigantes y cabezudos (giants and big-heads).

These caracthers are key participants in the celebrations as they represent important figures in the in the history of Granada, such as the Catholic Monarchs.

The main characteristic of the cabezudos is their enormous papier-mâché heads.

Tarasca Route on Wednesday

The Corpus Christi Procession

The other procession takes place on Thursday, which is Corpus Christi day.

The Corpus Christi Procession, known for its solemnity and religious significance, is the highlight of the festivities. It takes place on Corpus Christi Thursday.

During the procession, the Most Holy Custody is revered as it is paraded through the streets, preceded by a long procession of civil and religious authorities.

This procession is quite lengthy, as in addition to the Custody and the Tarasca, it includes the parade of insignia and banners of all local authorities and ecclesiastical dignitaries, brotherhoods, unions, public and private institutions, etc.

In 2025, the Corpus Christi procession in Granada commences on Thursday, June 19th at 10:15 AM from the Cathedral.

Carocas and Quintillas

A week before the Granada Fair kicks off, the carocas and quintillas (a traditional satirical competition) are displayed in Plaza Bib Rambla, near the Cathedral.

This tradition dates back to the seventeenth century, and in the nineteenth century, they started utilizing this location for their public exhibition.

These Carocas are cartoons with satirical verses that humorously highlight major local and national events that occurred throughout the year.

The authors are typically local artists, many of whom are amateurs, competing among hundreds of participants to be selected.

Every year, only 20 carocas are published, and their creators receive a small cash prize of 90 euros.

In 2025, out of 260 carocas presented, only 20 were selected and will be displayed in Plaza Bib Rambla on May 11th.

If you don't speak Spanish and aren't familiar with Spanish politics, celebrities, etc., you may not understand the jokes, but you should still give it a try.

Feria in Granada

Alhough Granada Fair is less famous than Seville's one, it offers a great deal of fun and entertainment and has got distinctive features.

The Corpus Christi fair in Granada begins on a Saturday at midnight, with an official ceremony where the mayor of the city witnesses the lighting of the fairground.

Each year, a resident of Granada is randomly selected for this ceremony.

The fairground area consists of three different parts: the casetas area, the swings and attractions area, and the surrounding area, where you'll find many stalls selling food, drinks, sweets, etc.

It's like a whole city that emerges here only for a week. Every street at the fairground is adorned with thousands of typical lanterns, called farolillos, and it's a bustling and lively place.

The main entrance to the fairground area is remarkable.

Thousands of bulbs are used to recreate an iconic monument of Granada, and the chosen monument is revealed just a few weeks before the event.

This year the main entrance of the fairground will recreate the Gate of the Pomegranates, which is located in the Alhambra woods.

In Granada fair casetas are typically open to the public, unlike in in Seville.

Some of them belong to groups of friends or associations, who pay a regular fee, but unless they are holding a private event, they are happy to have some visitors.

There are also casetas belonging to political parties, public institutions, private companies and media.

There is free entry to all of them, and special events such as children's entertainment, traditional food contests, etc., are organized.

What to do in the casetas?

The fiesta takes place in the casetas. There is a bar, where you can taste some typical Spanish food and wine, and there is a stage, where you could enjoy yourself watching a show or dancing sevillanas.

Usually, there are some bands playing traditional music at the institutional casetas.

Here is the datailed map of the bars of the fairground.

How to Reach the Fairground and Location

How to Reach the Fairground by Bus

Six city buses routes (Feria 1-6) will take you to the Almanjáyar Fairground during Corpus Christi 2025.

The price of a trip is 2 euros. You can use normal city bus pass (Credibus) o pay to the driver.

Additionally, Bus route 33 connects the city with the fairground, and the underground has a stop right by the fairground as well.

There is public parking with security between Casería de Aguirre and Joaquina Eguaras streets. It is not recommended to park outside the official parking sites.

How to Reach the Fairground by Metro

The Granada Metro facilitates access to the Corpus Christi Fairgrounds. The closest station, Jaén, is just a five-minute walk from the main entrance of the complex.

Location of the Fairground in Granada

Granada's fairground is located at Almanjáyar, in the northern part of the city, near the Granada Bus Station.

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