Of the many popular feasts, the Carnival at Cádiz, imported from Venice in the 16th century through this busy port, is one of the most dazzling and ingenious of those celebrated in Andalucía and , no doubt, in all Spain. Depending on the liturgical calender, it takes place between February 5th and March 4th
All the province celebrates carnival at the same time, the more outstanding are those at El Puerto de Santa María, Rota, San Fernando, Chiclana, Algeciras, Medina-Sidonia and Trebujena. In the province of Huelva, those of Isla Cristina and Ayamonte are known for their remarkable fancy dresses and animation and they are very popular with neighbours and with the Portuguese across the border. Feasts with the "toros embolaos" are very popular in Cádiz.
The festive model of the April Fair started in Sevilla in 1847 perfectly suits Andalucían idiosyncrasy, it has spread widely in the region. A few days after the Sevilla Fair, Jerez holds its Horse Fair, where the best specimens of the whole area on show; thereafter comes the Fair of Manzanilla at Sanlúcar de Barrameda, also in the province of Cádiz. The May Fair in Córdoba is also similar, and it puts an end to the month of festivities in the city, starting with the Crosses of May and the well known courtyard contest - to see which one has most flowers.
Many other celebrations, though they may appear religious nowadays, originated otherwise. Among the more generalised celebrations is the festivity of San Isidro on 15th May, patron of farmers, St Michael on 29th September which coincides with many livestock fairs, and San Martín on 11th November, when pigs are slaughtered. Thus, over San Isidro there are pilgrimages in the provinces of Málaga, Granada, Córdoba, Jaén and Cádiz.
At the end of August and beginning of September, when the grape harvest starts, there are feasts in all the wine-producing areas. The best known are those of Montilla in Córdoba, Jerez in Cádiz and la Palma del Condado in Huelva.
Specifically agricultural, is the feast of Virgen de las Angustias (Our Lady of Anguish), patroness of Granada and exclusively cattle-raising are the fairs at Jubrique in Cádiz and Santaella in Córdoba.
On November 1st, "Tosantos" (contraction of "all saints") are organised in the markets of Cádiz and province; and the feasts organised on the occasion of pig slaughtering in the sierra towns around San Martín are eminently gastronomic affairs.