The Pilar Festival (Fiestas del Pilar) is celebrated every year on the 12th of October. During the week leading up to this official date Zaragoza comes alive with music, parades, flowers and theatre in honour of the Virgin of Pilar. The female patron saint of Spain is honoured with an abundance of flowers as the history and culture of Spain is remembered and celebrated. Trails of roses, lillies, orchids and gladiolus wind their way to the Plaza de Pilar as an offering to the Virgin.