I have posted most of this aa a reply to someone looking for the "real spain" but I thought that it might be of interest under its own subject heading. - I hope some of you find it useful.
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For the feel of "real spain" If you are coming over in the summer, wherever you stay you will not be far away from a Feria. These "fairs" are not just rides and side shows, they are an integral part of andalucia take a look here for a calendar of events, They start in May and they continue until October the biggest of them all in Malaga.
Besides the rides there are cultural events and shows, exhibitions, celebrations of local gastronomic delights and alcoholic beverages and something is happening every day for up to two weeks for Malaga. They really do give you the "spanish" feel and although it is difficult to get exact times and dates, the one thing you can be sure of is that they will go on all night (without the british requirement of compulsory drunks in attendance) the whole family attends from babes in arms to the oldest of the community. The big towns obviously have the biggest ferias, but the smallest village has its own saint (the feria is a celebration of the saints day) and they have a feria for that one day (and night). It is surprising that overseas visitors seem to only attend the "funfair" element and really do miss out on the REAL feria.

Cheers,

John