In Anguiano today, the action begins at the main church, where the dancers pick up a small icon of the Magdalena. Then they "dance" with her down the front steps of the church and down the steep, cobbled streets in the town square. The dancers move in a tight, spinning motion that requires plenty of dexterity and bravery. One of the key streets they travel on is named especially for them, the Cuesta de los Danzadores. From there they proceed farther down the hill where they drop off the icon at a small shrine created just for her.

Anguiano is a small village located in a mountainous region of the Spanish state of La Rioja, an area known for creating splendid rioja wines. The streets of Anguiano are narrow and extremely steep, making it particularly difficult for the dancers. But these human tops rarely spin out of control as they work themselves into an almost trancelike state and have faith in the Magdalena to make their journey a safe one.

The Spanish refer to Mary Magdalene as "the one with ways about her a little freer than modesty allows." But she left her questionable lifestyle behind after hearing Jesus speak and became one of his most ardent followers. She is a very popular saint in northern Spain, but how the stilt dancing became part of the celebration is anyone's guess. It is probably part of some long-lost pagan ritual that was integrated into Catholicism by the local priests many centuries ago.