What to do in Ávila in diciembre

The coldest month of the year, with sub-zero lows and near-daily frost — you'll catch the walls and medieval old town glazed in hoarfrost, unthinkable in summer.

Carnival takes over from February 13-18 — samba troupes and brass bands parade out of Mercado Grande on Saturday the 14th, and the Burial of the Sardine closes it on Ash Wednesday.

Holy Week — a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest — opens March 27, with brotherhoods processing inside the walled enclosure and the Borriquilla setting out from the Cathedral on Palm Sunday (the 29th).

Holy Week peaks in April — the Procession of the Passion leaves the Cathedral on Good Friday (the 3rd) and the Risen Christ closes the cycle on Easter Sunday, April 5.

May 2 is San Segundo, Ávila's patron and first bishop — a romería climbs to his hermitage by the Adaja river and the youngest councillor carries the historic Banner of the Volunteers.

Midsummer's Eve, June 23-24, lights up with bonfires authorized by the town hall — the solstice is celebrated around the fire.

The Ávila International Music Festival fills the Renaissance palaces with classical music July 6-12 — masterclasses and concerts in the 16th-century Palacio de los Serrano.

The theatrical night tours of the walls continue on Wednesdays and Thursdays — the best way to walk the wall-walk once the day's heat fades.

The Medieval Days 'Market of the Three Cultures' take over the walls September 3-6 — over 300 stalls, jugglers and falconers recreating the coexistence of Christians, Jews and Muslims.

The festivities of Santa Teresa, Ávila's patron saint, peak on October 15 — the eve brings her image to the Cathedral with a floral offering, and the great day's procession follows the solemn Mass.

Genuine low season: after the Santa Teresa crowds, you walk the walled city in silence and hotels return to winter rates.