The Luminarias fiesta in Spain – in pictures

A man rides a horse through a bonfire. Tradition has is that the smoke will 'purify' the animal and protect it Photograph: Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP

On the eve of Saint Anthony's Day, hundreds of riders guide their horses through the narrow, cobbled streets of the small village, in which fires have been set Photograph: Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP

The Luminarias is a tradition dating back 500 years Photograph: Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP

The tradition is of unknown origin, but some say it may have begun at a time when animals were falling ill in unusual numbers Photograph: Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP

It is thought that centuries ago, not only horses and donkeys but also livestock, such as cows and sheep, may have had to brave the flames Photograph: Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP

Mane event: a rider drinks after riding her horse through the fiery streets Photograph: Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP