Feria y Fiestas de Bedmar en Bedmar y Garcíez

Introduction and local significance

The Feria y Fiestas de Bedmar in Bedmar y Garcíez officially take place from 22 to 27 September 2026. This patron saint celebration brings together the inhabitants of the municipality in Jaén and numerous visitors for a programme packed with cultural, recreational and traditional events. A highlight of this edition is the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the official twinning between the town of Bedmar and the Navarrese municipality of Azagra. The festivities revolve around devotion to the local patron saint, making it a week where citizen participation and cultural heritage take centre stage in the streets of the municipality.

Historical origins and tradition

The historical past of the town is deeply linked to its castle and its strategic position in various medieval and modern eras. In 1303, Mohamad Mirrey of Granada took possession of the fortress, although the forces of the Castilian king Ferdinand IV recovered it in 1310. Later, in 1407, Don Lorenzo Suárez de Figueroa undertook the restoration of the castle by mandate of King Don Juan, after it had suffered severe damage and destruction by the Moors that same year, which led Don Luis López de Mendoza to fortify the town during the 15th century.

During 1423, various letters were sent to Supreme Pontiff Martin V to seek support for the town, which then depended on the Order of Santiago. Between 1464 and 1466, the enclave was under the dominion of the Viscount of Huelma and his son Don Juan de la Cueva. By the 18th century, historical records detail a population of 390 residents living in 379 homes next to its emblematic castle. The current municipality of Bedmar y Garcíez was formally constituted on 22 May 1975, consolidating the administrative and traditional union of the area in honor of the Santísima Virgen de Cuadros.

Programme and main events

Since the details of the activities appear in the official list above, it is worth focusing on the main festive pillars that structure the Feria y Fiestas de Bedmar in Bedmar y Garcíez. Among the most prominent events are the traditional ribbon race in the Parque del Pilarejo, the official inauguration with the switching on of the lights in La Pililla, and the 38th edition of the Miga Flamenca (traditional bread dish with accompaniments) in the Caseta Municipal. The programme also includes deeply rooted events such as the parade of giants and big-heads, the firing of firecrackers and Japanese bombs, and daytime fair sessions enlivened by orchestras in the Plaza de España.

Traditional festival food

Among the events scheduled for these festive days, the celebration of the 38th edition of the Miga Flamenca stands out prominently. This is an event rooted in the official agenda that brings attendees together at the Caseta Municipal. This occasion constitutes one of the most relevant gastronomic dates included in the programme of the municipality's patron saint festivities.

Visitor guide and where to stay

The main events of the festivities have their epicenter at the Caseta Municipal, located at Avenida Virgen de Cuadros number 15, as well as the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the Plaza de España, and the Parque del Pilarejo. To guarantee the normal running of events, drivers are expressly requested to avoid parking their vehicles on the street of the Parque del Pilarejo during the afternoon when the ribbon race takes place.

It is advisable to plan and book accommodation well in advance, either within the municipality itself or in surrounding towns, which makes it easy to comfortably follow the evening events. On days with the highest turnout, it is preferable to use public transport or park outside the town centre, checking beforehand for any changes to the official timetables.