Almeria News

Huebro’s Virgen del Rosario: Annual Pilgrimage and Festivities

Published May 7, 2025 | Category: News

TL;DR: Huebro’s traditional pilgrimage returns in 2025 with a week of religious ceremonies, Andalusian culture, music, and community spirit in Níjar.

Virgen del Rosario: Huebro’s Annual Pilgrimage Returns in 2025

Procession of the Virgen del Rosario from Huebro to Níjar during annual pilgrimage

In the heart of the Sierra Alhamilla, the small village of Huebro celebrates one of its most significant annual events each spring: the pilgrimage in honor of the Virgen del Rosario. This age-old tradition blends spirituality, culture, and deep community roots, attracting not only local residents but also visitors from across the province.

The pilgrimage begins with a symbolic descent from Huebro to the church of Santa María de la Anunciación in Níjar. The image of the Virgin is carried on foot, accompanied by villagers dressed in traditional attire, ox-drawn carts, music, and tambourines echoing through the canyons. The journey of around four kilometers is both solemn and festive, uniting generations in a shared experience of faith and identity.

A Week of Religious Observance

Once the image reaches Níjar, it is placed at the altar for a full week of religious activity known as the Septenario. These seven days are filled with daily masses, candlelit processions, blessings of the sick, and prayers offered by local families. It’s a moment when the entire municipality pauses to reflect, participate, and reconnect with its roots.

Special attention is given to community participation: local children are presented in front of the Virgin, flowers are offered by neighborhood associations, and elderly residents are given seats of honor during the ceremonies. The church is often packed each evening, and the sound of bells and chants fills the surrounding streets.

Cultural Traditions in Full Color

The week is also a time for cultural expression. Outside the church and across town plazas, there are folk music concerts, flamenco performances, poetry readings, and artisan markets. Food stalls serve regional specialties like migas, tortas de chicharrones, and local wines, turning the religious festival into a celebration of Almería’s rural gastronomy.

Locals wear traditional dress throughout the week: women in embroidered shawls and floral skirts, men in sashes and wide-brimmed hats. It’s a living museum of Andalusian culture, where the past is not only remembered but embodied in the present moment.

The Return to Huebro

After seven days of devotion, the image of the Virgen del Rosario is returned to Huebro. This return journey is equally ceremonial, accompanied by singing, clapping, and final blessings. The Virgin is carried up the narrow winding path toward her hilltop chapel, where she remains for the rest of the year until the next spring’s festivities begin anew.

Upon arrival in Huebro, villagers celebrate with a community feast. Long tables are set in the village square, and families share homemade dishes while local musicians play. For many, this moment is the emotional highlight of the entire celebration — a reunion of generations, neighbors, and memory.

Nature, Silence, and Spiritual Reflection

Outside of the formal events, many visitors use this time to explore Huebro’s tranquil landscape. The area is ideal for short hikes, photography, and moments of peaceful reflection. The sound of water from ancient irrigation channels and the view over the Níjar valley offer a serene counterpoint to the busy celebrations.

Practical Information

The event is open to all, with no registration needed. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the descent and return. Níjar Town Hall usually publishes the full schedule of events a few weeks in advance, including the religious and cultural programming. Parking is available in Níjar, and shuttle services are sometimes offered for the return to Huebro.

For official updates and scheduling, visit the Hermandad de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Huebro-Níjar.

Looking for more local stories? Visit our Almería news page or explore more Towns & Villages.

Almeria News

Cold Weather in Almeria This Week

Published November 17, 2025 | Category: Almeria Weather

TL;DR: A mass of very cold air will reach Almeria this week, bringing an early taste of winter with sub-zero nights in inland villages and a noticeable drop in temperatures by Friday 21 November.

Cold weather in Almeria: early winter temperatures arriving this week

The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) is forecasting a marked change in the weather across Spain in the coming days as a mass of very cold air arrives from higher latitudes. Temperatures will fall gradually, with values more typical of winter than mid-November.

According to AEMET, frost is expected from Tuesday onwards, becoming more widespread and intense as the week progresses. The cooling will be felt across much of the country and will also reach the province of Almeria, which has enjoyed relatively mild conditions until now.

The drop in temperatures will be most noticeable from Friday 21 November, when this early arrival of winter is expected to be fully felt in Almeria. Saturday should bring a very similar situation, with cold days and even colder nights, especially away from the coast.

Inland villages: sub-zero nights and sharp drops

In inland municipalities such as Bacares, Oria, Serón, María, Chirivel, Vélez Blanco and Vélez Rubio, forecasts point to sub-zero minimum temperatures. In some of these areas, both daytime highs and night-time lows could fall by around 10 °C compared to recent days.

Coastal areas: milder but noticeably colder mornings

Along the coast, the change will be more moderate, but residents in towns such as Almeria city and the Levante and Poniente coasts will also feel the colder air. The most noticeable difference will be in the night and early-morning temperatures, which will drop clearly compared with the start of the week.

For the start of the week, AEMET is forecasting partly cloudy skies with occasional light rain in the province, more likely and heavier over the mountains during the afternoon. Temperatures will already be on a downward trend, with light to moderate westerly winds.

Official forecasts and updates are available from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).

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

Events

FICAL Almeria 2025 kicks off with full cinemas and a vibrant opening weekend

Published November 2025 | Category: Events

TL;DR: FICAL Almeria 2025 opened this weekend with full cinemas, red-carpet energy and a strong start to one of the province’s biggest cultural events of the year.

FICAL Almeria 2025 opens with packed cinemas and a vibrant first weekend

One of the province’s most important cultural celebrations, the Festival Internacional de Cine de Almería (FICAL 2025), officially opened this weekend with a lively start. The festival, running from 14 to 23 November, began with red-carpet activity, full auditoriums and an atmosphere that brought together film professionals, local residents and visitors from across the region.

The opening gala at the Auditorio Maestro Padilla drew large crowds, setting a strong tone for a week of screenings, industry talks, and cultural events that continue throughout Almería city and surrounding venues.

Red carpet energy and opening-night atmosphere

The start of FICAL saw the arrival of directors, actors and emerging filmmakers, with the festival’s traditional red-carpet walk adding glamour to the evening. Early screenings were quickly booked out, reflecting growing interest from both locals and international visitors living in Almería.

Local institutions emphasised the importance of the festival for the cultural profile of the province. The Diputación highlighted the event as “a meeting point for new cinema and creative innovation,” reinforcing FICAL’s role as one of Andalucía’s key audiovisual festivals.

Strong weekend attendance across multiple venues

Throughout Saturday and Sunday, screenings at key venues such as Casa del Cine, Teatro Apolo and Auditorio Maestro Padilla saw near-full attendance. Families, cinema enthusiasts and expats contributed to a diverse audience, while open-air activities and photography exhibitions attracted foot traffic around the historic centre.

Workshops for young filmmakers, documentary presentations and panel discussions filled the weekend schedule, marking one of the most dynamic opening weekends in recent editions of the festival.

Upcoming highlights: week-long programme continues

With FICAL now underway, the coming week will feature international short films, premières, industry panels and daily public events. The closing gala on 23 November will include the awards ceremony for both the feature film and short film competitions.

Full programme details are available via the official FICAL programme platform: YoSoyFICAL.

Almeria News

El Ejido strengthens electrical infrastructure with €700,000 investment

Published November 13, 2025 | Category: Infrastructure

TL;DR: El Ejido has approved a €700,000 investment to modernise its medium-tension electrical grid, strengthening supply for agricultural zones and local communities in the Poniente region. Almeria news

El Ejido invests €700,000 in electrical infrastructure upgrade

The municipality of El Ejido in the Poniente region of Almeria has announced a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving the local medium-tension electrical grid. A total of €700,000 has been allocated to enhance supply reliability across key agricultural areas, according to official information released by regional authorities.

The plan includes the installation of a new medium-tension cell at the Cumbres sub-station and upgrades to feeder lines supplying Las Norias de Daza and Balsa del Sapo — two areas known for intensive agricultural activity and irrigation systems that place high demand on the electrical grid.

Full details can be found in the official communication published via Europa Press.

Scope of the project and beneficiaries

Of the total investment, around €100,000 targets improvements at the sub-station, while the remaining €600,000 covers upgrades to the wider distribution network. These works aim to stabilise electrical supply for both residents and the highly productive agricultural sector — a key economic pillar of the Poniente region.

Local representatives explain that these upgrades will reduce service interruptions, support energy-intensive greenhouse operations, and improve long-term resilience across the municipality.

Importance for the Poniente region

This project demonstrates ongoing public investment in the Poniente of Almeria, an area that often receives less English-language media coverage despite being one of the province’s strongest economic engines. Strengthening infrastructure in El Ejido supports agricultural output, commercial activity, and long-term residential growth.

Timeline and next steps

The works are expected to continue for approximately 18 months, with completion anticipated around mid-2026. After the construction phase, the project will undergo testing, safety checks, and system integration before the upgraded grid becomes fully operational.

Once completed, the improved grid will deliver greater reliability and capacity — directly benefiting businesses, the agricultural sector, and the general public.

For more updates across the province, visit our Infrastructure category.