What to do in Salamanca in abril

Three Kings parade on January 5 along Gran Vía to Plaza Mayor, with sweets thrown to children along the route.

Carnaval del Toro in nearby Ciudad Rodrigo February 13-17 — Spain's oldest carnival, one hour from Salamanca.

Holy Week begins March 27 — Spain's only one declared International Tourist Interest, processions through the old town.

FÀCYL Arts Festival May 27-31 — 82 performances of contemporary dance, theater and electronic music across the city.

Saint John of Sahagún on June 12 — the city's patron, floral offering, procession and fireworks over the Tormes.

The Magic Instant — sundown lighting of 83 buildings and 38 sculptures turns Villamayor sandstone gold at 10 pm.

Assumption of the Virgin on August 15 — surrounding villages process and emigrated charro families come home.

Ferias y Fiestas in honor of Virgen de la Vega September 7-15, with over 110 events filling the historic centre.

El Mariquelo climbs the New Cathedral tower at 11:30 am on October 31, bagpipe in hand, thanking heaven for sparing the city in the 1755 Lisbon quake.

Magosto chestnut-roasting in Sierra de Francia villages — La Alberca, Mogarraz and Candelario fire up the plazas.

Nochevieja Universitaria on Thursday December 18 — 30,000 students swap grapes for jelly sweets in Plaza Mayor.