Fiestas in the streets of Almuñécar & La Herradura during the Cruces de Mayo. With elaborate displays of flowers, crosses, lights, decorations, fiestas, and pop-up bars, in the alleys of the old town in Almuñécar & La Herradura. Be prepared for a few days and nights with displays, food, drink, and a great atmosphere.
Table of Contents
- What is Fiestas de las Cruces de Mayo?
- Who participates?
- When is Cruces de Mayo?
- History of Cruces de Mayo?
- Cruces de Mayo Almuñécar 30 April to 03 May, 2026
- Cruces de Mayo La Herradura 30 April – 03 May, 2026
- More information & references
- See More Almuñécar – La Herrau holidays, ferias, fiestas, and festivals
What is Fiestas de las Cruces de Mayo?
Normally, the Fiesta de las Cruces de Mayo means Festival of the May Crosses. It is a fiesta celebrated throughout Andalucía, but there is also a contest. The Ayuntamiento chairs a competition with impressive displays of decorated crosses, with prizes awarded. The prizes range from €700 for the winning Cross, €500 for second, and €300 for the third in each Almuñécar & La Herradura.
Each display will be judged on the natural decoration of the Cross, the floral display, lighting, the environment. They will also be looking for traditional cuisine served as well as originality. Usually groups of neighbors, friends, associations, Brotherhoods, and the like enter the contest.
Who participates?
At a minimum, each Catholic brotherhood (cofradía) or neighborhood association has a pop-up bar next to its cross. There may also be local groups or associations participating. They will serve drinks and traditional tapas to raise funds to finance various local festivals including Holy Week (Semana Santa) and the local Fair (Feria). Not only will you see their beautiful display of the decorated cross, usually in a room or building, there may also be additional entertainment offered. Each neighborhood or brotherhood will have very different displays from modern to traditional Spanish.
The department of fiestas usually creates a list of those who have entered the competition and provide a map, so you may visit them all. They are typically located in the town plazas and are fairly easy to find.
When is Cruces de Mayo?
Cruces de Mayo is celebrated on or around May 3rd each year and the fiesta is usually the closest weekend to that date.
History of Cruces de Mayo?
Religiously, the festival is rooted in the search by Byzantine Empress Saint Helena for the cross on which Jesus died, but the popular traditions connected to the festival certainly originate from pagan traditions brought to Spain by the Roman Empire.
Read more about the history and traditions.
Cruces de Mayo
Almuñécar 30 April to 03 May, 2026
2026 Opening hours of the bars:
- Thursday, April 30 13:00 – 22:00
- Friday, May 1, 12:00 – 02:00
- Saturday, May 2, 12:00 – 02:00
- Sunday, May 3, 12:00 – 22:00
Judging of the crosses
Almuñécar and La Herradura Adult Crosses Contest
The jury will visit the crosses on May 1, starting at 13:00. The awards ceremony will occur on the same day, at the lucky crosses.
2026 Almuñécar locations (CRUCES DE MAYO ALMUÑÉCAR 2026)
2. Alhambra Cross – Calle Baja del Mar , 9
3. The Infantas – Plaza Victoria, 3, Ground Floor
4. Veracruz and Holy Sepulchre – Plaza Victoria, 7, 9, and 20
5. Our Lady of Sorrows – Plaza Victoria
6. Saint John – Plaza Noreta
7. Orchard – Plaza Marruecos
8. PSOE – Puerta de Granada , 18, Ground Floor
9. Arte-sur – Casa de la Cultura
10. Christ of the Gypsies – Plaza Aquarium
11. Piety – Plaza Higuitos
12. Hope – Plaza Higuitos
13. Nazarene – Calle Vélez, 1
14. La Corrala – Calle Antigua, 11
15. La Cueva – Calle Eras del Castillo
16. Virgen del Carmen – El Majuelo Park
17. Peña Madridista – Plaza de San Cristóbal
You may pick up your paper map at the registered locations.
Cruces de Mayo
La Herradura 30 April – 03 May, 2026
7 CRUCES DE MAYO LA HERRADURA 2026
- Cruz del Barrio Alto
- Cruz de la Asociación de Mujeres Siglo XXI
- Cruz Los Andorreros, en la calle Canalejas.
- Cruz La Curra. Calle Canalejas
- Cruz del Sur
- Cruz Asociación Los Berengueles
- Cruz de la Asociación de Mayores «Virgen del Carmen»
More information & references
Junta de Andalucía resources – including a list of each town that participates in Cruces de Mayo
This is Andalucía provides detailed information for each province within the Autonomous Community of Andalucía. Just search for “Cruces de Mayo”.
See More Almuñécar – La Herrau holidays, ferias, fiestas, and festivals
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