Community

La Noche de las Candelas: a Christmas tradition in Almeria

Published December 24, 2025 | Category: Community

TL;DR: La Noche de las Candelas brought flamenco, traditional carols and shared food to the Mesón Gitano in Almeria, blending Christmas celebration with Roma heritage in a powerful cultural gathering that also marked 600 years of Roma presence in Spain.

La Noche de las Candelas: flamenco, tradition and community at Christmas in Almeria

On Monday evening, December 22, the open space of the Mesón Gitano, set beneath the Alcazaba of Almeria, once again filled with music, firelight and thousands of people for La Noche de las Candelas. The annual gathering marked the sixteenth edition of this unique celebration, which combines flamenco, traditional Christmas carols and shared food to welcome the festive season in a distinctly Almerian way.

As night fell, bonfires were lit across the esplanade, voices rose in flamenco-style villancicos, and families, neighbours and visitors gathered around large pots of traditional potaje. The atmosphere was informal and open, with people arriving and leaving throughout the evening, drawn by the sound of music and the warmth of the fires.

A living Christmas tradition rooted in Roma culture

La Noche de las Candelas is closely linked to the Pascua Gitana, the Roma way of celebrating Christmas through music, storytelling and shared meals. Rather than a staged performance, the evening functions as a living cultural ritual, where participation matters more than spectacle.

Flamenco carols replace more familiar Christmas songs, and the focus is on collective experience rather than spectacle, reflecting the deep cultural roots of flamenco within Spanish and Roma heritage, as recognised by the Instituto Cervantes on flamenco culture.

The presence of children’s groups alongside experienced performers underlines how this tradition is passed down across generations, keeping cultural memory alive through practice rather than ceremony.

The event is coordinated by Roma organisations in Almeria and forms part of the city’s wider Christmas programme, supported by local and regional institutions. Yet despite official backing, the character of the night remains rooted in community, informality and shared space.

Music, food and fire beneath the Alcazaba

The setting plays a crucial role in the identity of La Noche de las Candelas. The Mesón Gitano, located at the foot of the Alcazaba, provides a symbolic and physical link between Almeria’s layered history and its present-day cultural life.

Bonfires — the “candelas” of the event’s name — create focal points around which people gather, talk and sing. Large pots of potaje Gitano are shared freely, reinforcing the idea of hospitality and collective celebration. Music flows naturally through the space, with flamenco guitar, percussion and voices blending into a single soundscape rather than a fixed programme.

This mix of music, food and fire transforms the evening into something closer to a communal ritual than a conventional concert or festival.

Marking 600 years of Roma presence in Spain

The 2025 edition carried added meaning, marking 600 years of Roma presence in Spain.

During the evening, moments of reflection acknowledged this historical milestone through audiovisual tributes and public recognition.

Rather than focusing on political statements, the commemoration highlighted cultural continuity and contribution. Flamenco itself, central to the night’s celebrations, stands as one of the most visible expressions of Roma influence on Spanish culture, particularly in Andalusia.

By embedding this anniversary within a festive, open event, the organisers emphasised visibility, inclusion and shared heritage rather than separation.

A different kind of Christmas celebration in Almeria

In contrast to Christmas markets, light displays or commercial events, La Noche de las Candelas offers a quieter but deeply rooted alternative. It is not designed for consumption or tourism in the traditional sense, yet it attracts thousands precisely because of its authenticity.

The event has become a fixed point in Almeria’s Christmas calendar, returning each year with familiar elements while remaining open to new participants. Its strength lies in its ability to bring together people from different backgrounds in a shared public space, without formal barriers or expectations.

For many residents, it represents a reminder that Christmas in Almeria is not only about lights and shopping, but also about community, memory and cultural exchange.

Why La Noche de las Candelas matters

Beyond the music and celebration, La Noche de las Candelas serves as a powerful example of how cultural traditions can remain alive within a modern city. It shows how public space can be used to foster connection, and how heritage can be celebrated without being fossilised.

As Almeria continues to grow and change, events like this play a quiet but important role in maintaining a sense of shared identity. Long after the bonfires are extinguished and the music fades, the memory of the night lingers as part of the city’s collective story.

Interested in local traditions, community life and cultural stories from across the province? Explore more articles in our Community section.

Community

Albox sets out key projects for 2026 as new municipal budget takes effect

Published January 6, 2026 | Category: Community

TL;DR: The 2026 municipal budget for Albox is now in force, setting out a series of local projects planned for the year ahead. Around €1 million is earmarked for investments including new public facilities, road access improvements and upgrades across several neighbourhoods.

Albox outlines major local projects as 2026 municipal budget comes into force

The municipal budget for Albox officially came into effect on January 1, 2026, defining the financial framework for the year ahead and confirming a number of projects planned across the town and its surrounding districts.

The total budget for 2026 amounts to just under €12 million, with close to €1 million allocated to direct investments. Among the most significant projects scheduled for development are a new residence for older residents, the future Auditorio Comarcal “Corazón del Almanzora”, and the transformation of the Avenida 28 de Febrero into a new boulevard-style public space.

The budget also includes funding for improved access to the Terdiguera industrial estate, alongside a series of smaller-scale projects in Albox’s outlying districts. Areas such as Los Segovias, Locaiba, La Aljambra and Llano de los Olleres are expected to see upgrades including new social buildings, public squares and family-friendly spaces.

In addition to physical infrastructure, the 2026 budget reflects increased funding for local community initiatives and cultural life. Allocations for sports clubs, cultural associations and local events have been maintained or expanded, while programmes aimed at active ageing and public participation are set to receive additional resources during the year.

Public safety and everyday services also feature in the planning for 2026. Measures include investment in video surveillance systems, staffing and equipment for the local police force, and a pavement improvement plan with a dedicated allocation of €150,000 for streets, squares and public spaces.

With the new budget now in force, the coming months will see how these plans translate into visible changes on the ground for residents and visitors alike, as projects move from planning into execution throughout Albox.

Looking for local updates and everyday life across the province? Find more stories in our Community section.

Community

Hailstorm hits Adra on Three Kings’ Day as Storm Francis brings more unstable weather

Published January 6, 2026 | Category: Community

TL;DR: A sudden hailstorm hit Adra on Three Kings’ Day afternoon, briefly whitening parts of the town and the A-7 near Guainos. Traffic slowed as hail accumulated on the road surface, with Storm Francis still driving unstable conditions across Almeria province.

Hailstorm hits Adra on Three Kings’ Day as Storm Francis keeps conditions unstable

Residents in Adra got an unexpected taste of winter on the afternoon of January 6, when rain briefly turned into a sharp hailstorm around 16:00. The burst of ice pellets quickly coated streets and parked vehicles in parts of the town, while drivers on the A-7 near Guainos reported difficult conditions as the roadway turned white.

The hail episode appears to be part of the same unstable pattern linked to Storm Francis, which has brought unusually cold air, showers and snow to higher ground across Almeria province in recent days. Along the coast, that instability can occasionally translate into short, intense downpours — and in this case, a sudden burst of hail.

For motorists, the key risk is traction. Even a brief hailstorm can create a slippery surface that behaves like ice, especially where hail accumulates in dips or shaded sections of road. If you are travelling, it is worth checking live updates before setting off and driving cautiously if conditions change quickly.

Official weather updates and warnings are available via Spain’s state meteorological agency AEMET. For real-time incident and traffic information on major routes such as the A-7, drivers can also consult the DGT.

With overnight temperatures still low in many inland areas and showers continuing in parts of the province, brief and localised weather surprises remain possible — particularly near the coast and around mountain foothills.

Want to stay informed about local conditions and daily life across the province? Explore more updates in our Community section.

Community

Almeria remains “frozen” as Storm Francis lingers, with frost alerts and road impacts

Published January 6, 2026 | Category: Community

TL;DR: Cold conditions continue across Almeria province as Storm Francis lingers. Night-time temperatures could drop to -4°C inland, with snow still affecting higher ground. Several secondary roads remain closed or require snow chains, while yellow alerts are active for early Wednesday morning.

Almeria remains under cold conditions as Storm Francis refuses to leave

After a Three Kings’ Day marked by low temperatures and grey skies, Almeria province remains firmly under the influence of Storm Francis. While the heaviest rain has eased, cold air continues to dominate, especially overnight and in inland and mountainous areas.

According to Spain’s state meteorological agency AEMET, yellow alerts for minimum temperatures are active from Tuesday evening until Wednesday morning. In parts of the Almanzora Valley and Los Vélez, thermometers could fall as low as -4°C, with widespread frost expected.

Road closures and snow in inland areas during Storm Francis

Recent snowfall has left winter scenes in areas such as the Sierra de Gador and the Sierra de los Filabres. While the main road network across the province remains open, several secondary routes have been affected by snow and ice.

The Diputación de Almería has reported closures on a number of provincial roads, including sections of AL-5402, AL-5406 (Las Menas de Serón), and the AL-4404 near Calar Alto. Snow chains are also mandatory on the AL-3102 in the La Tetica de Bacares area. Drivers are advised to check conditions before travelling and avoid unnecessary journeys in affected zones.

Some local access restrictions have also been reported. In Pechina, the Ayuntamiento de Pechina has warned that access to the Andarax river area remains closed as a precaution, particularly around El Chuche.

Looking ahead, temperatures are expected to recover only gradually. Overnight frost risk will persist during the early morning hours, especially away from the coast and outside larger urban centres.

Want to stay informed about local conditions and daily life across the province? Explore more updates in our Community section.