Cultural Tour · Events

It starts with a proclamation that indicates the start of the fair in honour to St. Francisco Solano (Saint Patron of Montilla). Later, there is a parade in which  the music group ‘La Unión’ from Montilla takes part, in addition to ‘giants’ and ‘big heads’.

The parade goes by the main streets of Montilla to the fairground where the opening take place with the switching on of the lights. After the inauguration, inhabitants can enjoy the best atmosphere, music and wine.

The ‘Cata Flamenca’ of Montilla has a long tradition and is of great touristic interest due to the fact that it joins two of the potentials of the area: wine and flamenco.  The ‘Cata Flamenca’ began to be celebrated in 1970, when the Harvesting Festival was declared of National Touristic Interest.

During its first editions we should highlight the performances of  Paco de Lucía, Antonio ‘el Bailarín’, Antonio Mairena, Fosforito, José Menese, El Lebrijano, Camarón de la Isla, Enrique Morente, Manolo Sanlúcar, Juan Habichuela and Los Bolecos among other.

This event combines traditional elements as street decoration or the parade of the crosses. The main celebration of this festival is the harmony amongst neighbours in a historical and unique environment.

The program includes religious, musical and sport events amongst all the activities offered we highlight ‘Festival Flamenco’ of which a score of editions has been held.

Date: From 29th to 1st May 2022.

Location: Cruz neighborhood, Montilla.

‘La Merced’ place is the starting point for hundred of neighbours accompanying Nuestra Señora de las Viñas. As every year, the procession of horse-drivers, amazonas and floats headed by the image of the virgin goes through ‘la zarza’ path  to the Tierno Galván Park. Once there, hundred of people take part at the pilgrimage, reunited with their family and friends.

Montilla receive a variety of Jazz groups of different styles and origins in different corners of the city, combined with the star product of the city, wine.

The main objective of this festival is to promote jazz music and at the same time, bring people to the wine presses and cellars od Montilla, where visitors can enjoy our wines and visit the facilities.

It is a referent activity in the city. Diverse performances of different styles as: flamenco, pop, rock or classics and popular take place during four hours at different stages distributed at the historical centre of the city.

It should be noted that all groups are from Montilla, what made it a great occasion to know good music made in Montilla.

During the month of May, you can enjoy the explosion of colours together with Montilla-Moriles wine at an ensemble of wine cellar and wine presses of Montilla. There are six courtyards bedecked with typical elements of the winegrowing culture.

The Painting Week (‘Semana de la Pintura’) took place for the first time in September 2017 to celebrate the 150 Anniversary of the arrival of the painter José Garnelo y Alda to Montilla.

This event include several culturar activities as exhibitions and contests.

Date: September.

Location: Different corners of Montilla.

The city council calls this yearly contest to promote the tourist interest of the heritage, wine, and popular traditions of Montilla, and also to improve the collection of photographs of the city.

Publication of the bases: September- October.

Exhibition: end of December until the end of January.

Place of exhibition: attached room tourism office.

The days before carnival; ‘murgas’ and ‘comparsas’ (acting groups) file their repertories at the Garnelo theatre. Later, the ‘chirigotas’ contest takes place, in which many groups of all around Andalusia  participate.

The Carnival event program finish on Sunday with the well-known ‘Burial of the Sardine’. The parade ends at ‘Llanete de San Agustín’ offering sardines to everyone.

It is one of the activities which mobilizes more people in Montilla. The associations of Montilla set up  booths and offer information to visitors. Each edition is devoted to a different topic around which several activities as performances, games, exhibitions,…take place.  Among the topics covered during the last few years we can highlight: music, theatre or flamenco.

The objectives of the Neighbour’s Day are: making known the work of Montilla’s associations, spent a great day of cohabitation and promote our most valuable treasure, wine.