Haro Wine Battle

The morning starts with a walk and a Mass, not with wine. On 29 June, the feast of St Peter, the people of Haro set out at 7:00 on a pilgrimage to the Riscos de Bilibio, the cliffs above the Ebro a few kilometres north of the town. Mass is at 8:45 at the hermitage of San Felices. When it ends, the battle begins.

Everyone is in white, with a red neckerchief, and everyone carries wine in buckets and water pistols. The red wine is thrown and sprayed over friends and strangers alike. The festival is free to join, and it was declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in 2011.

The retreat to the town starts at about 10:30, and at noon the "vueltas" take place in the Plaza de la Paz. It all belongs to the fiestas of San Juan, San Felices and San Pedro, which run from 23 June to 2 July, so the town is busy for more than just the one morning.

How to go. The date is fixed, 29 June, and in 2027 it falls on a Tuesday. Wear white you do not mind losing, with a red neckerchief, and leave glasses and phones in a safe place or in a waterproof case. Book a room early. The programme for each year is published by the town council.