The year in festivals
From the solemnity of Holy Week to the buzz of the fair.
Alhama lives its year to the rhythm of its festivals. This calendar brings together the celebrations of the village and its surroundings — from the January bonfires to the December patron saint festivals — and each major event opens onto a detailed page to plan your visit.
The festive year
Browse the calendar month by month: each major celebration opens onto a page with its history, programme and practical tips.
Second Sunday of January
Almería accompanies its patroness, the Virgen del Mar, to the hermitage of Torregarcía, where her image appeared in 1502: open-air mass, folklore and rice dishes beside the Mediterranean.
Discover the festivalAround 16 January
The night of the bonfires: on the eve of Saint Anthony's day, the village lights fires to "burn the beard of San Antón", with grilled bacon and popcorn around the flames.
Discover the festivalFebruary, dates vary each year
The capital dresses up: the agrupaciones singing contest at the Auditorio Maestro Padilla, the "Noche en Color" parade and the Burial of the Sardine to bid the party farewell.
Discover the festivalVariable dates
Processions, sacred music and solemnity across the villages of the Andarax valley and in the capital, one of the great weeks of the Andalusian calendar.
Discover the festivalEarly May
Streets and squares are decorated with flower crosses, a lively spring tradition throughout the province.
Discover the festivalMid-June (Mojácar and Carboneras)
Mojácar fills its streets with parades, gunpowder and historical re-enactments, while Carboneras re-enacts the Moorish landing on the beach by the Castillo de San Andrés every 13 June.
Discover the festival23–24 June
The shortest night is celebrated with bonfires and sardine grills on the nearby coast, welcoming summer by the sea.
Discover the festivalIn summer, dates vary by edition
The village summer festival, with a more festive and recreational character: music, casetas and conviviality on warm nights.
In summer, depending on the edition
Purchena revives the games convened by Aben Humeya in 1569: historical contests, Andalusi music and an artisan souk in the Almanzora valley.
Discover the festivalLate August
Nine days in honour of the Virgen del Mar: daytime fair in the centre, casetas at night and the famous Battle of the Flowers.
Discover the festivalOctober (2026 edition: 8–12)
Tabernas celebrates its legacy of more than 60 years of filmmaking: screenings, encounters and tributes in the village of the western, crowned by the Premio Tabernas de Cine.
Discover the festival5–8 December
Alhama's patron saint festivals, religious in character since the 18th century. They preserve singular traditions such as the "washing of the saint's face", with mass, procession and the fanfare of the San Nicolás de Bari Musical Group.
Discover the festival26 December
Almería city commemorates its incorporation into the Crown of Castile in 1489: an institutional act on the Plaza Vieja, mass at the Cathedral and the historic pendón waved three times from the town hall balcony.
Discover the festivalDecember and January
Nativity scenes, lights and a Christmas atmosphere in the village streets until the Three Kings parade.
In depth
Nine days in late August in honour of the Virgen del Mar: a daytime fair in the centre, casetas at night in the Vega de Acá and the famous Battle of the Flowers. Four pages to plan it in detail.
Nine days of fair in late August: the great event of the Almería summer.
Floats, carnations and giants parade through the centre of Almería during the Feria.
Ambigús on the Paseo and the central squares: wine, tapas and sevillanas from 12 to 5 pm.
Open-access casetas, concerts, funfair rides and churros until dawn in the Vega de Acá.
Dates may vary each year. Please check the official programme before travelling.
Photographs: ANE, Kordas, Daniela Erminy, Bluebird.pictures, Josefina L. Avendaño, Juanjnicolas, El Pantera, 19Tarrestnom65, ANESTRELLA, Maksym Abramov, JamesNarmer · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Frequently asked questions
Those of San Nicolás de Bari and La Purísima, from 5 to 8 December, religious in character since the 18th century; they keep singular traditions such as the "washing of the saint's face".
In summer, with dates that vary each edition: music, casetas and conviviality in the village's warm nights.
In late August: nine days in honour of the Virgen del Mar, with a daytime fair, casetas at night and the famous Battle of the Flowers.
Holy Week (variable dates) and the May Crosses, when streets and squares are decked with flower crosses.
Some are (San Nicolás, 5–8 Dec) and others vary each year (Holy Week, fairs). Confirm the official programme before travelling.
All the main events of the calendar — from the Romería de Torregarcía to the Día del Pendón, through the Carnival, Holy Week, the May Crosses, the Moors & Christians, San Juan Night, the Moorish Games of Purchena, the Fair and the Tabernas Western Film Festival — have their own dedicated pages, linked from this calendar.