Fiesta de las Paces en Villarta de San Juan

Introduction and local significance

La Fiesta de las Paces in Villarta de San Juan is celebrated in honour of the Virgen de la Paz in the Castilian-Manchegan town of Villarta de San Juan, located in the province of Ciudad Real. The official dates for this edition are from 23 to 26 January 2026. This festival is recognised as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest in Castilla-La Mancha. Furthermore, the 2026 edition is the first to take place following its declaration as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) in the category of intangible heritage.

Historical origins and tradition

Historical documentation places its origin around 1370, and the Festividad de Nuestra Señora de la Paz was instituted in 1369 in gratitude for the peace achieved after years of bloody battles and skirmishes. The first specific documentation is found in the Topographical Relations of Philip II (1578) and in the interrogation of Cardinal Lorenzana (1782). The fiestas were declared of Regional Tourist Interest in 1994. Among its traditions, the massive use of rockets and firecrackers launched by peñas coheteras (rocket-launching groups) as a sign of faith and gratitude to the Virgin stands out. Another custom is the burning of a monumental bonfire in the Plaza de la Ermita with firewood brought and collected by the young people, as well as the famous auction of the Virgin's arms at the end of the procession, where the locals bid to carry the patron saint as she enters the church.

Programme and main events

The central events of la Fiesta de las Paces in Villarta de San Juan are distributed across the main days in late January 2026:

• 23 January 2026: Floral offering to the Virgen de la Paz in the parish church. Opening proclamation given by Tomás Rincón Millán and crowning of Queens and Maids of Honour in the Municipal Auditorium. At 23:00, burning of the monumental bonfire in the Plaza de la Ermita.
• 24 January 2026: At 11:30, religious service with a performance by the Coral Maestro Ibáñez de Valdepeñas. Afterwards, procession of the Virgen de la Paz and the so-called Operación 2.000 from the viewpoint overlooking the River Gigüela by the old church.
• 25 January 2026: Tasting of typical dishes and gachas (savoury flour porridge) in the vicinity of the Operación 2.000 viewpoint.

The most unique moment of the religious services is the Operación 2.000, which consists of simultaneously lighting 2,000 dozens of rockets while the patron saint is at the viewpoint overlooking the River Gigüela.

Traditional festival food

Local gastronomy during these days includes a varied selection of traditional local products and homemade pastries. Among the sweets, mantecados (traditional crumbly lard pastries) made in homes and baked in local bakeries for the fiestas, and perrunillas (traditional lard biscuits) made during the preparations, stand out. In the savoury section, slaughterhouse products such as lomo (pork loin), ribs and chorizos preserved in oil stand out. To accompany meals and outdoor events, attendees consume limoná (traditional sweet wine drink), a traditional beverage used for sharing during the festivities. Likewise, gachas (savoury flour porridge) are the typical dish prepared collectively by peñas, associations, families and groups of friends during the days of the fiesta.

Visitor guide and where to stay

To plan your visit to la Fiesta de las Paces in Villarta de San Juan, it is advisable to keep in mind a series of basic logistical recommendations. It is advisable to book accommodation in advance for the festival dates, choosing to stay in the municipality itself or in nearby towns to make it easier to follow the night events. On the days with the highest turnout, it is preferable to use public transport or park outside the town centre. Finally, before travelling, it is recommended to check the official programme, as times and events may change.