Events

Feria de Vera 2025: Complete Guide

Published September 24, 2025 | Category: Events

TL;DR: The Feria de Vera 2025 (San Cleofás Fair) has officially begun. From September 24 to 28, the town offers concerts, parades, religious processions, children’s activities, gastronomy, and fireworks. Here’s the complete program, background and practical tips.

Feria de Vera 2025: Full Program and Highlights of the San Cleofás Fair

Overview and Significance
Wednesday, September 24 – Opening Day
Thursday, September 25 – San Cleofás Day
Friday, September 26 – Tradition and Music
Saturday, September 27 – Day of the Tourist
Sunday, September 28 – Closing Events
Gastronomy and Feria Atmosphere
Practical Information and Tips

Overview and Significance

The Feria de Vera 2025, also known as the San Cleofás Fair, is one of the most important traditional events in northern Almeria. It commemorates the town’s patron saint and brings the entire community together with a week of music, culture, parades, and festivities. More than just entertainment, the fair represents a deep-rooted cultural heritage where locals, visitors, and expatriates celebrate side by side. Each year, thousands of people attend the fair, filling the streets of Vera with color, music, and joy.

The heart of the celebration is the recinto ferial at El Palmeral, while the Plaza Mayor and the historic center also host key processions and cultural moments. From daytime gastronomy to late-night concerts, the feria caters to every age group, making it a true family event with a festive and safe environment.

Wednesday, September 24 – Opening Day

The celebrations begin with tradition and spectacle:

19:00: Parade of Gigantes y Cabezudos with the Municipal Band, filling the streets with music and laughter.
20:00: Official start of the Feria with the chupinazo, followed by the pregón delivered by Francisca María Soler Rodríguez.
The evening continues with the election of Reinas y Damas accompanied by a show from the carnival group Kimera.
Special Children’s Day with discounted rides and quiet hours from 19:00 to 21:00 for families with sensory needs.

Thursday, September 25 – San Cleofás Day

12:00: Solemn Mass at Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Parish.
Followed by the Procession of San Cleofás through the historic center, a highlight of the feria that draws large crowds.
13:00: Opening of the feria del mediodía at El Palmeral, offering food, drinks, and entertainment.
Evening: Concert by Juanlu Montoya, one of the most anticipated performances.

Friday, September 26 – Tradition and Music

Traditional breakfast for Vera’s elderly residents.
Afternoon: Corrida de Cintas in Calle Isabel la Católica, a classic Andalusian horse-riding competition accompanied by music.
Evening: Concert by Orquesta Rebelión at El Palmeral.

Saturday, September 27 – Day of the Tourist

Morning: Reinas and Damas distribute carnations to visitors and residents in Plaza Mayor and the old town, symbolizing hospitality.
Evening: Orquesta Rebelión returns for another lively performance, keeping the atmosphere festive until late at night.

Sunday, September 28 – Closing Events

17:30: Bullfight with Alejandro Talavante, Jorge Martínez, and Marco Pérez, featuring bulls from Salvador Domecq.
Evening: Performances by Rondalla de Mayores, Sol y Luna, and Chibancas Baile Flamenco.
Closing: Grand fireworks display marking the official end of the Feria de Vera 2025.

Gastronomy and Feria Atmosphere

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the Feria is its gastronomy. Local casetas serve traditional Andalusian dishes such as grilled sardines, tapas, and regional stews, while bars in the town join the celebrations with special menus. The feria del mediodía has become a popular meeting point where families and friends gather to enjoy food, drinks, and live music under the midday sun. Visitors can expect a lively, colorful atmosphere where Spanish hospitality shines through.

Practical Information and Tips

The main fairground at El Palmeral is well connected with a free train service running from the town center. Each evening, thousands of people attend, so arriving early is recommended for popular concerts and the Sunday bullfight. The municipality has also introduced safety measures, including Puntos Violeta against gender violence and sound monitoring for comfort. Police and emergency teams are on duty until late night, ensuring a safe experience for all.

If you want the most authentic experience, join the opening parade, the San Cleofás procession, and the final night fireworks. For families, daytime activities and the children’s fairground hours provide a relaxed way to enjoy the Feria. Tourists will especially enjoy Saturday’s Day of the Tourist, when the whole town extends a warm welcome with flowers and festive spirit.

For more updates from across the province, visit our Events category.

For the official program and updates, visit the Ayuntamiento de Vera website.

Activities & Attractions

Almería Cultural Agenda: Best Events This September & October 2025

Published September 17, 2025 | Category: Events

TL;DR: The best of Almería’s culture for late September and October 2025 — from flamenco and comedy in the capital to film-on-tour, heritage nights at the Alcazaba, and village fiestas across the north.

Almería Cultural Agenda (Sep–Oct 2025): City highlights & province-wide picks

Why the Almería cultural agenda matters
City highlights: concerts, flamenco, comedy
Alcazaba nights & guided visits
Province-wide picks (Diputación): film on tour & more
Levante & Coast (Carboneras, Laujar & more)
Northern Almería (Serón, Almanzora, Los Vélez)
How to plan your cultural week

Why the Almería cultural agenda matters

The Almería cultural agenda is more than just a list of dates. It reflects how a province famous for desert backdrops and Mediterranean beaches invests in its living culture. Each autumn, the season shifts from summer festivals to carefully curated programmes: flamenco in grand theatres, classical concerts in historic venues, film screenings in mountain villages, and local fairs that keep traditions alive. For visitors and residents alike, it is the roadmap to experience Almería not only as a landscape but also as a cultural region.

City highlights: concerts, flamenco, comedy

Flamenco “Olvidados” — Fri 19 Sep, 21:00
A bold flamenco performance mixing deep song with modern choreography. This show is part of the capital’s late-summer programme and represents the contemporary face of Andalusian culture.
Municipal Culture Agenda

Paco Calavera & Pepe Céspedes (Comedy) — Sat 20 Sep, 20:00
Almería’s two most beloved comedians join for one night at Maestro Padilla. Expect a packed hall and an audience ranging from long-time fans to newcomers who want to catch local humour at its sharpest.
Official ticketing

V Noche de la Música Latina — Sat 20 Sep, 20:30 (Teatro Apolo)
The historic Apolo theatre fills with salsa, merengue and bachata. The Latin Night is now in its fifth edition and has become a reference for music lovers in the city.
Junta Cultural Agenda

Orquesta FIMA — Sun 21 Sep, 12:00 (Maestro Padilla)
The Provincial Orchestra offers a Sunday matinee with a repertoire bridging classical and contemporary composers. It is an accessible way to discover the city’s symphonic talent.
Municipal Culture Agenda

Alcazaba nights & guided visits

The Alcazaba, one of Spain’s largest Moorish fortresses, is not only a tourist landmark but also a stage. The programme “Noches de la Alcazaba” brings theatre, music, and dramatized tours under the stars. Free guided visits on Saturday mornings deepen the understanding of Almería’s Islamic and Christian heritage. For both locals and travellers, these nights combine history with performance art in a way that no other venue can.

Province-wide picks (Diputación): film on tour & more

The Diputación’s cultural agenda reaches every corner of the province. Its most innovative strand is “Cortos en Ruta – Disfruta FICAL 2025”, which takes award-winning short films from the Almería International Film Festival (FICAL) on tour. Villages such as Almócita, Bacares, Cuevas del Almanzora, Laujar, Ohanes, Serón and Sorbas host screenings in their small theatres or cultural centres. This allows mountain and rural communities to enjoy cinema events usually reserved for the capital.

Alongside film, the Diputación promotes storytelling, workshops for children, historical reenactments in towns like Abla, and itinerant orchestra concerts. For many residents in remote valleys, these events are their main access to performing arts each year.

Levante & Coast (Carboneras, Laujar & more)

“IO” (Theatre) — Sat 20 Sep, 21:00 (Teatro Casa de la Música, Carboneras)
An avant-garde play staged in a coastal town better known for its fishing port and beaches. The Casa de la Música has become a cultural hub in the Levante, showing how small towns invest in modern performance art.

Laujar de Andarax — Fair & Fiestas (mid-Sept)
In the Alpujarra Almeriense, Laujar celebrates its autumn fair with parades, traditional music, and food stalls featuring local wine. These fiestas are both a cultural celebration and a showcase of regional identity, where younger generations reconnect with traditions.

Northern Almería (Serón, Almanzora, Los Vélez)

Serón — Cortos en Ruta
Nestled in the Sierra de los Filabres, Serón hosts film nights as part of the FICAL circuit. Watching award-winning shorts in a rural Casa de la Cultura is a unique experience that underlines the reach of the Almería cultural agenda.

The northern towns offer more: Vélez-Blanco, with its Renaissance castle, has become home to the renowned Festival de Música Renacentista y Barroca. Though the 2025 edition ended in July, the echoes remain through lectures, masterclasses and community activities. Meanwhile, Bacares and Vélez-Rubio continue to host chamber concerts and historical talks, often announced only weeks in advance.

How to plan your cultural week

Book city seats early — popular shows in Maestro Padilla and Teatro Apolo sell fast.
Choose one “destination night” — combine theatre in Carboneras or film in Serón with daytime excursions.
Don’t miss the Alcazaba — a sunset performance in the fortress is a cultural highlight.
Check small-town agendas — many concerts and talks are published late, so revisit listings often.

More Almeria Festivals 2025: Discover More Upcoming Events This Autumn Almeria Festivals 2025.

For more updates from across the province, visit our Events category. The Almería cultural agenda keeps growing, and each season brings new opportunities to discover the province’s artistic energy.

Events

Almería Western Film Festival 2025: Honoring Charo López, Roque Baños and More

Published September 16, 2025 | Category: Events

TL;DR: The 15th Almería Western Film Festival (AWFF) takes place from October 8–12, 2025 in Tabernas. This year honors Charo López, Roque Baños and John Maclean, while presenting a rich program of films, activities, and cultural events.

Festival Overview

The Almería Western Film Festival 2025 (AWFF), the only European festival dedicated exclusively to the western genre, will take place from October 8 to 12, 2025 in Tabernas and the iconic film sets of MiniHollywood Oasys and Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood. Over the years, AWFF has become the most prestigious western film event in Europe, attracting directors, actors, musicians, and cinema lovers from around the globe.

Special Honorees 2025

This edition places special emphasis on landscape and community as narrative and iconographic elements, offering a fresh perspective on deserts, frontiers, and the spirit of the West. To highlight this vision, several Honorary Awards will be granted:

Premio Tabernas de Cine – awarded to Spanish actress Charo López, a key figure in classic western films shot in Almería.
Premio Leone in Memoriam – dedicated to Italian actor Gian Maria Volonté, remembered for his roles in films such as *For a Few Dollars More*.
Premio Spirit of the West – to Scottish filmmaker John Maclean, who revitalized the genre with a contemporary vision.
Premio Desierto de Tabernas – honoring Spanish composer Roque Baños for his musical contributions to films shot in Almería.
Premio a la Difusión del Género Wéstern – recognizing Italian historian Carlo Gaberscek for his research and promotion of the western legacy.

Official Selection and Screenings

For the first time, the Official Feature Film Selection will include ten international titles, reflecting the vitality of the genre worldwide. Highlights include:

The Ecstasy of Gold. The Treasure of Jesse James (USA–Italy, 2025), directed by Federico Alotto – opening film.
Adiós al amigo (Colombia, 2024) and El vaquero (Colombia, 2025), both featured in the “Latin Frontiers” section.
The War Between (USA, 2025) by Deborah Correa, and Eastern Western (USA, 2025) by the Grozdanova sisters.
Sirat (Spain, 2025) by Oliver Laxe, winner of the Cannes Jury Prize.
Tokyo Cowboy (USA–Japan, 2024) and Mash Ville (South Korea, 2025), showcasing Asian western cinema.

Special screenings outside the competition include Dead Souls by Alex Cox and the closing film Tornado (UK, 2025), directed by John Maclean, blending western themes with samurai cinema.

The festival will also feature 27 short films, divided across international, Andalusian, and “Made in Almería” sections, plus a documentary focus under the “Panorama” program.

Parallel Activities and Workshops

AWFF is not only about screenings but also about cultural immersion. The program includes:

Exhibition: “15 Years of Almería Western Film Festival” – a visual journey through its history.

Workshops & Masterclasses: with designer Javier Navarrete, cinematographer Álvaro Medina, and filmmaker Álex Galán.

Roundtables: discussing topics such as Tabernas Desert as cinematic heritage and 60 years of *For a Few Dollars More*.

Competitions: from western costume contests to shop window decoration and the traditional Tapa Route.

Live Music & Performances: concerts by The Gold Diggers and Castor Head, magic shows, and theatre productions.

Cultural and Tourism Impact

The festival strengthens Almería’s position as a hub for film tourism and cultural heritage. By showcasing international cinema alongside the unique landscapes of Tabernas, AWFF reinforces its role as a reference point for both locals and global visitors.

For more updates from across the province, visit our Events category.