El Colacho: Spain’s Wild Baby-Jumping Festival You Have to See to Believe

If you thought La Tomatina (Spain’s famous tomato fight) or the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona were as wild as Spanish festivals get-think again. Every year, in the tiny village of Castrillo de Murcia near Burgos in northern Spain, locals take part in one of the world’s most eyebrow-raising traditions: El Colacho, otherwise known as the baby-jumping festival.

Yes, you read that correctly. Babies. Jumping. (Well, technically, being jumped over by men dressed as the devil.)

What Exactly Is El Colacho?

El Colacho is a centuries-old Spanish festival that takes place annually during Corpus Christi, usually in mid-June. The highlight of the event involves men dressed as devils-complete with bright red and yellow costumes, masks, and whips-leaping over babies who are laid out on mattresses in the street.

It sounds like something out of a surreal dream, but the tradition actually dates back to the 17th century, around the 1620s, and it’s believed to cleanse the infants of original sin while warding off evil spirits and disease. Think of it as a sort of supernatural spring clean for newborns.

A Devilish Day Out

The festivities begin early in the morning with solemn processions led by members of the Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament of Minerva. These serious black-cloaked figures set the tone for what’s to come-though things quickly take a more mischievous turn.

Enter El Colacho-the devil himself. Dressed in red and yellow, and armed with a horsetail whip, he dashes through the cobbled streets, taunting villagers and playfully whipping their ankles. It’s all part of the show, and locals respond with laughter, cheers, and the occasional insult hurled back for good luck.

Then comes the main event: El Salto del Colacho, or the Devil’s Leap.

The Leap of Faith (and Fear)

In the afternoon, babies born in the previous year are carefully placed on mattresses arranged along the street, spaced about 200 metres apart. Parents watch nervously from the sidelines as the devils sprint towards the rows of infants and-yes-jump clean over them.

The leap symbolises the devil absorbing the sins of the babies, leaving them pure and protected. Once the flying fiends have done their part, the village priest blesses the infants, and young girls scatter rose petals over them. The relieved parents then scoop up their (perfectly fine) little ones, now officially free from sin-and perhaps a bit more famous than they were that morning.

And before you ask-no, there have never been any reported injuries. Spanish precision, it seems, extends beyond paella recipes and football footwork.

A Week of Festivities

El Colacho isn’t just about baby-jumping (as if that weren’t enough). It’s part of a week-long celebration of Corpus Christi, featuring music, parades, food, wine, and general merrymaking. For locals, it’s a time when family, friends, and even visitors from across the globe come together to celebrate community, faith, and a healthy respect for gravity.

While the Catholic Church has occasionally raised eyebrows at the spectacle, the people of Castrillo de Murcia see it as an important cultural and spiritual tradition-one that’s survived for over 400 years.

Why It Matters

At its heart, El Colacho is more than just a bizarre (and slightly terrifying) ritual. It’s a celebration of life, protection, and community. Every year, people return to this small Spanish village to honour their ancestors, welcome new generations, and-quite literally-leap over life’s challenges.

As local organiser Mario Gonzales puts it, the town may only have a population of about 120 residents, but during the festival, the world comes to them. Babies with even the slightest connection to the village are flown in from far and wide to take part in the centuries-old ceremony.

Would You Dare to Watch?

So, next time you’re planning a trip to Spain, skip the usual beaches and tapas bars for a weekend and head to Castrillo de Murcia. There’s music, laughter, centuries of history-and yes, a few airborne devils.

Because in Spain, even the devil knows how to throw a good party.

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