Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We had an amazing Christmas at Finca Los Pinos/Competa Hikes. This year we had guests over the Christmas period. When we went to decorate their table for their big meal, they decided they wanted to eat outside – in the sunny winter sun, in shorts and t-shirts! Surrounded by the mountain views, birds singing and lovely sunshine…it couldn’t have been better! Before they had their meal, they went for a lovely walk in the natural park to build up their Christmas appetite. Evenings here are cooler, so the large wood burner was lit, with logs burning, creating a lovely cosy atmosphere. A home away from home during the Christmas period.
Also during the Christmas period here in Competa, we celebrated some festivals, as we do every year, but in Spanish style. During December, there are Christmas lights not only in the main cities of Spain, but the small villages too. Competa’s Christmas lights were fantastic this year, and added that festive feeling, despite the sun shining. There was live music, local wine and lots for the children to do in the run up to Christmas day. Being a short drive away, we made sure we went into Malaga to do that last minute shopping and view the incredible lights there, giving large cities such as London a run for their money! With activities for adults and children alike, Christmas in Spain is a must.
One of the “Three Kings” beginning their trip around Competa to throw sweets to the children
New years day was filled with walks through the natural park, in sunshine and t shirts; coffee and freshly made churros in hand from the local shops in Competa. We had three kings festival on the 5th, where three horse/donkey drawn carriages, each carrying a “king” are taken through the town, throwing sweets out to all of the children in Competa. We didn’t quite believe it when people told us, but after bringing several carrier bags filled with sweets home, we were amazed. The evening is filled with giving out gifts to the children of Competa, on a large stage. The following day the plaza was filled with bouncy castles and a bucking bronco, all free for the children to enjoy whilst families and friends enjoyed meals surrounding them. Not to be missed!
Rio Chillar walk, perfect on a spring day here in Spain
This year we are going to be offering fully guided walking tours, through the beautiful mountains surrounding us in Competa. For more information on the walks we are offering, please go to the Competa Hikes “Dates for your diary” page.
Christmas was busy, but there is a whole year of celebrations that you can enjoy with us all at Competa Hikes:
January
18th – Feria del Barrio – a fair for the day in Competa, with locally produced food and lots of fun rides for adults and children alike! The feria starts at 10am and finishes at about 6am the following morning! With cannons going off intermittently throughout the day and ending with fireworks in the evening, it is great fun!
February
Valentines day – for this valentines weekend we are offering discounted weekend rates, fully catered with guided or unguided walks on the Sunday for you and the one you love to enjoy! Contact us for prices and more information.
Skiing in Sierra Nevada
Semana Blanco – the “half term” week in Spain – mostly filled with skiing and small events in the village square (Plaza). There is lots going on in this week, amazing hikes to be had in the winter sun, and we take guests to enjoy the slopes in Sierra Nevada.
March
Competa Hikes Triathlon – a fantastic triathlon held over several days, with a hike to maroma, diving and skiing. For more information, go to our triathlon page.
One of the beautiful floats during easter week in Competa and throughout Spain
Semana Santa – Easter week. Flower laden floats adorning the holy statues are carried through the streets with a band playing music. This goes on over three nights and is not to be missed. The floats are enormous and at least 30 people each to carry. Children, teenagers and adults of all ages get involved. The floats themselves are works of art and the marching band playing is incredible.
April
Before the Competa Art walk there are various workshops for the children to enjoy for free
Competa Art Walk – This is normally held over Easter weekend and it is a walk that offers the opportunity to meet the multinational artists of Competa who create art in many different forms: photography, painting, graphics, drawings, ceramics, sculpture and textiles. The young inhabitants of the village get involved too, and are invited to take part in a free workshop, and get to show their artwork in all the different galleries throughout the village during the walk. For those interested in art and exploring Competa, this is a great weekend.
May
3rd – Dia de la Cruz – Procession from Plaza Carmen with a cross made of flowers to the shrine of the Cruz del Monte.
Communion Month – this is the month where the children of Competa have their first holy communion. The whole village celebrates, with flowers and herbs adorning the plaza and side streets of Competa, and children and their parents spare no expense in their clothing. Whole families sit for meals afterwards and a huge village celebration is enjoyed. Last year, one family rented out a whole restaurant and had a bouncy castle and various events for their children who were having their first communion. It is an incredible site to behold.
June
This is when the live music starts in the square and everyone is preparing for summer!
July
Everyone shows up in the Plaza in their swimsuits to enjoy the foam party!
Fiesta Month! This is the month that the feria comes to Competa, and starts its rotation around the other mountain villages surrounding it. On the last days of the Feria, Competa celebrates that weekend starting with an enormous foam party in the square, where children and adults show up with their swimsuits on and the whole square is filled with foam. The following day, there is live flamenco music, dancing and a giant paella made for everyone in the square, free of charge, to enjoy. Feria weekend is our favourite in Competa!
The village sized foam party in the main Plaza of Competa during the Feria
August
1-15th – Ruta del Vino – various events are enjoyed in the lead up to the noche del vino – where there is a lot of locally produced wine, grapes and other produce to be enjoyed.
15th – Noche del Vino – a night of wine. This starts during the day with a market throughout the streets of Competa, selling wares, demonstrating birds of pray and more. This is followed by the procession of the grapes, and they are squashed in the traditional way and brought in beautiful baskets to the Plaza Vendimia. In the evening there is much celebration, with drinks, live music, flamenco dancing and a general giant party in Competa. A fantastic night not to be missed.
Medieval market during the day leading up to the Noche del Vino
September
Noche de la Lumbres – night of fire – celebrated in Plaza Carmen for the first night that fires are once again allowed in the campo. There is normally a giant dish of paella, local wines, music and ofcourse a giant bonfire.
October 1-4th
Annual Competa Walking Festival – This is where there are several different daily routes throughout the Competa countryside. Competa Hikes offers hikes during this festival and accommodation just outside the natural park.
December
There is normally a Christmas market in Competa and the surrounding villages for last minute presents
24th – fiesta in the square followed by midnight mass
25th – Christmas day
26th – Competa Hikes big boxing day walk
31st – Competa Hikes and Finca Los Pinos New Years Eve – fully catered, with the grapes at midnight – twelve grapes – one for each “ding” of the midnight toll…
For more information on any of the fiestas in Competa or to book your walking holiday with Competa Hikes and Finca Los Pinos, please go to the Contact Us page.
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