Zaragoza

The cutting edge of the most exported and dearest Zaragoza are the Fiestas del Pilar, characterised by a broad range of activities that fill the streets with fun, colour and entertainment for a week at the least. During the Fiestas del Pilar, Zaragoza becomes the centre of national, and even global attention. For ten days in October, Zaragoza is bursting with festivities and filled with fun: the squares of the Historical Quarter become emblematic stages for any kind of cultural and fun activities for all kind of public. The grand act of the Fiestas del Pilar is the Flower Offering to the Virgin of the Pilar on October the 12th. A unique act in the world which impresses the visitors.

The Holy Week of Zaragoza has more than 700 years of history and has been declared as International Tourist Interest. More than 16,000 people from 48 Easter brotherhoods take part in the processions. The thundering sound of more than 7,000 drums during the processions is particularly impressive. Easter week is one of the most heartfelt and deep-rooted fiestas celebrated in Zaragoza. Music, art and colour come together in magical processions — solemn parades in which crowds of people accompany religious images on their route through the streets.

Zaragoza has become a leader in the national and international scene of street art with the Asalto Festival. It has managed to change the appearance of the streets of Zaragoza and how to understand public space. The city is flooded with avant-garde, shocking, and shared artistic proposals developed on-site for artistic collectives and urban artists. It’s not only an urban arts festival, is a hallmark of a city more and more cosmopolitan, dynamic and participatory. It is a project of urban and social transformation through culture in which the streets, the city and its citizens are the real protagonists along with best urban local, national and international artists that year after year want to be part of the Asalto family.

As a sample of the intense cultural activity of Zaragoza all year long, the city has become the venue of several international festivals, such as Trayectos, Asalto, Slap!, Lagata Reggae, FIZ, the Jazz Festival or the new ZGZ Escena. In June, takes place Trayectos, the festival that connects the urban landscapes of the city with contemporary dance.This Festival integrates the expression art in the city, so that make Zaragoza a scenario and a living space that inspires the creators and favours the meeting of citizen and contemporary dance. In July, the turn is for Slap!, the black music Festival and Lagata Reggae Festival, both held in the Zaragoza's campsite. As a novelty for this year in July, it has born the "ZGZ Escena Festival", the new performing arts international festival, born to be a driver of the culture and economy of Zaragoza. After Summer and before the Pilar Festivities, the FIZ Festival arrives, for the alternative music.