Patron saint fiestas · 5–8 December
Four days when the whole village takes to the streets: rockets at midday, dawn reveilles, two processions and verbena nights under the cold, crystal-clear December sky.
Two patrons, one fiesta
Alhama celebrates both of its patrons at once: San Nicolás de Bari, patron saint of the village since 1783, whose feast day falls on 6 December, and the Immaculate Conception — La Purísima —, its patroness, honoured on the 8th. That is why the great fiestas embrace the December long weekend, from the 5th to the 8th, with two main days and two festive eves.
Their religious character dates back to the 18th century and remains intact: masses and processions still mark the heart of the programme, alongside traditions as singular as the «lavado de la cara del santo» — the washing of the saint's face —, which the village passes down with pride from generation to generation.
Above all, these fiestas are the reunion of the year. Those who moved away come back for the holiday, the squares fill up, the band winds through the streets and, for four days, Alhama recognises itself: in the crack of the rockets, in the slow pace of the processions and in the last song of the verbena.
San Nicolás, patron saint of the village
days of fiesta, 5 to 8 December
processions, on the 6th and the 8th
The programme
A typical programme, based on recent editions. The dates are fixed — 5 to 8 December —, but times and events vary each year: check the official programme published by the town hall before travelling.
Traditions
Every 8 December, the municipality awards its most cherished distinction to a local person who has left a mark on the life of Alhama. A simple, solemn gesture that turns the patroness's day into a tribute to the villagers.
The band that bears the patron saint's name sets the whole fiesta to music: the diana at dawn on the 6th, the pasacalles between squares and the concert on the 8th. Its sound is the soundtrack of December in Alhama.
The 8th of December is also the day of the little ones, with activities designed for them. It is the family hallmark of fiestas where every generation mingles, from the «grandparents of the year» to the children in the square.
The patron saint also gave his name to the historic Balneario San Nicolás, the thermal heart of the village for more than two centuries. Discover its waters just a stroll from the squares where the fiesta beats.
Practical information
Photographs: ANESTRELLA, Dfvillalobos, Carlosjvives · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Frequently asked questions
From 5 to 8 December, every year. The dates are fixed because they coincide with the feast days of the two patrons: San Nicolás de Bari (6 December) and the Immaculate Conception (8 December).
San Nicolás de Bari, patron saint of the village since 1783, and the Immaculate Conception — La Purísima —, its patroness. The patron saint fiestas honour both, with a procession on the 6th and another on the 8th.
The municipality's annual distinction: every 8 December, on the day of La Purísima, the town hall awards it to a local person in recognition of their life's work and their mark on the life of Alhama.
Not exactly. The dates are fixed (5–8 December) and the structure repeats — pregón, reveilles, masses, processions, verbenas and fireworks —, but the exact times and events vary each year. The town hall publishes the official programme at alhamadealmeria.es.
On 26 December, the city of Almería celebrates the Día del Pendón, commemorating the city's incorporation into the Crown of Castile in 1489. And throughout the month, nativity scenes, lights and Christmas atmosphere fill the streets of Alhama until the Three Kings parade.