The Easter related dates vary from year to year.

Candela de San Juan – June 23
The San Juan bonfires on the eve before the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist coincide with the summer solstice. This is a long established tradition in Vejer. Mannequins are made by various local groups and then put on the bonfires. The celebration ends with music and three ‘toros de fuego’ (fire bulls) in Plaza de España in the centre of the old town.

Carnival – Feb/March
This popular event is gaining in prestige with each passing year. In common with carnivals all over the world, elaborate and ingenious costumes are central to the event. Anyone can join in, and while ordinary members of the public may hastily improvise something at home, the performers from the 8 officially recognised Carnival groups, the chirigotas and comparsas and all those who dance or sing, have their costumes (disfrazes) designed and made by professionals.

Velada de la Oliva – August 10 – 24

From 10 to 24 August the town of Vejer dresses up to celebrate its patron saint La Virgen de la Oliva.

Activities for all ages are held throughout the day.

To give you a flavour of what to expect here are a few of the events from last year’s festival.

It started with a procession in honor of La Virgen de la Oliva. This was then followed by music in the Plaza de Espana, a focal point for many of the week’s festivities.

Other events included:

• A concert to mark International Youth Day.
• A performance in the Plaza de Espana by the Dance Academy “Blanket” and the band “Mansard”.
• A Jazz Night.
• A solemn mass in honor of La Virgen de la Oliva followed by a procession of the patron saint through the streets of Vejer.
• Latin dances in the Plaza de Espana.
• A play for children performed in Plaza de Espana.
• A performance in the Plaza de Espana by Dance Academy “Art Xauen”, followed by flamenco.
• A performance in the Plaza de Espana by local singer Fernando Vega.
• Carnival night with a performance of the troupe of Antonio Martin.
• An amateur Flamenco Contest.

The fortnight ended with the departure from the temple of the image of La Virgen de la Oliva and its transfer to the Sanctuary and finally came to a close in the Plaza de Espana with dancing to a local band.