Feria de Guillena

Introduction and local significance

La Feria de Guillena takes place this year from 10 to 13 September 2026. This festivity, part of Guillena's annual calendar, focuses centrally on devotion to the Virgen de la Granada, the local patron saint. The celebration structures its calendar around religious events dedicated to the titular image and a leisure programme that unfolds at the fairgrounds. Visiting La Feria de Guillena on these dates offers the chance to experience an event that combines local cultural heritage with activities organised for the current edition.

Historical origins and tradition

The origin of the town's popular and patronal festivities is rooted in the devotion to the Virgen de la Granada. Historically, the fair has varied its format and duration; a notable example is the 1996 edition, when a nine-day fair was organised, a model that remained in place until 2002. Regarding the evolution of the marquees (casetas), the case of the 'Los Manolos' marquee illustrates the development of the fairground's infrastructure: they emerged in 1996 and, after spending three years on a plot in Calle Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, managed to integrate into the fairgrounds in 1999.

Traditions linked to La Feria de Guillena include the patron saint's procession, women wearing traditional flamenco dresses (trajes de flamenca) at the venue, and the constant use of fireworks. This latter element stands out in the celebration due to the inclusion of firecrackers (tracas) and the running of fire bulls (toros de fuego), which mark specific moments in the programme.

Programme and main events

The official programme, which can be consulted in the top information section, lists the activities organised for the 2026 edition. Central events include the procession of the Virgen de la Granada and the main mass, moments of devotional significance at the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Granada. At the fairgrounds, the switching on of the decorative lights on Avenida de los Príncipes marks the official start of the fair. The music and leisure offerings include concerts at the Municipal Marquee (Caseta Municipal), horse-riding parade competitions, and firework displays. It is advisable to check exact times in the official programme to ensure attendance at each event, as the schedule ranges from children's activities to youth night (noche joven).

Traditional festival food

The information dossier provided for this edition of La Feria de Guillena contains no specific data regarding the festival's own gastronomy, making it impossible to highlight specific dishes, recipes, or culinary products linked concretely to this celebration in the present guide.

Visitor guide and where to stay

The fair takes place at the venue known as Recinto del arroyo. To facilitate travel, specific transport services have been set up:

• Special free buses: On Thursday, departures are from Torre de la Reina at 22:30 and from Las Pajanosas at 22:45, with returns at 06:00 and 06:15 respectively. On Friday and Saturday, departures are at 23:00 (Torre de la Reina) and 23:15 (Las Pajanosas), with returns scheduled for 06:30 and 06:45.
• Tourist train: Operates a circular route from Wednesday to Sunday between 13:00 and 17:00 and from 21:00 to 02:00. It has stops at Plaza 8 de marzo, Avenida de las Pajanosas (Urb. Atalaya), Frutas Puntas, Emusin, Avenida de Andalucía (Estanco and El Palomar), Avenida de la Vega (Sports Centre), and Plaza 1 de mayo.

The venue features a free children's playroom (Wednesday to Sunday, 16:00 to 22:00, for children over 4 years old, with capacity limited to 105 children). The fair implements noise pollution reduction measures in the attraction area daily from 20:30 to 22:00. Additionally, an assault-free point (Punto libre de agresiones) is set up in a marquee at the venue for information and support (9 and 10 September from 01:00 to 04:00; 11 and 12 September from 01:00 to 06:00).

Regarding accommodation and logistics, it is advisable to book in advance. On days with the highest turnout, it is preferable to use public transport or look for parking outside the town centre. Before travelling, it is recommended to consult the official programme to check for possible changes to times or scheduled events.