As anyone who has been on vacation to Spain will tell you, the locals like to party and there is plenty of entertainment in Spain to keep tourists happy. If you can time your trip to coincide with one of the many festivals, carnivals or fiestas, then so much the better. In addition to traditional celebrations, the best of the world’s international pop, rock and jazz acts perform too.

One of the best ways to enjoy an evening out is to have a good meal in one of the bars or restaurants and then sit back and enjoy the floor show. Entertainment in Spain has long been identified with traditional Flamenco dancing. Male and female dancers do their routines to dramatic guitar music. The ladies are dressed in colorful dresses and shawls and they accompany the music with castanets.

There are many annual carnivals held throughout the country, including the capital city Madrid, Malaga, Alicante, and Barcelona. These usually involve parades, fancy costume processions, local food and drink, music, and dancing. As for festivals, one of the most famous is the San Fermin Festival, better known as the Bull Running in Pamplona. To get a good view of the proceedings, you need to be up early to grab your place of safety behind a fence or on a balcony.

Music plays a big part in the lives of the Spanish people and there is something for everyone, representing all genres. The Malaga Music Festival is well established as one of the most prestigious sources of entertainment in Spain. The 2008 dates have been announced as 13th – 28th July. It was an impressive line up in 2007 that featured Joe Cocker, Elvis Costello and Bryan Ferry. The San Javier International Jazz Festival is scheduled for 28th June – 27th July and the star acts are Isaac Hayes, Gary Moore, Johnnie Winter, and Herbie Hancock.

Film Festivals are popular too and cinema is an important part of culture and entertainment in Spain. Some festivals have specific themes such as the Peniscola Comedy Film Festival and the San Sebastian Horror and Fantasy Film Festival. The International Air Cinema Festival has the best setting, in a nature reserve in the mountains.

It’s great fun to frequent some of the bars, tapas restaurants and nightclubs where the locals go. You can try traditional dishes and practice your Spanish language skills. The Spanish people are very hospitable and they are proud of the entertainment in Spain that’s on offer.