September 26 to October 4 the annual Fair of Alhama de Murcia gets under way

A month of celebrations and events begins in the centre of Alhama

Fairground attractions, a Day Fair, loads of live music and plenty to eat and drink at the annual fair in Alhama to celebrate the Feast Day of the Virgen del Rosario

The annual Feria de Alhama de Murcia takes place on and around the feast day of the Virgen del Rosario, patron of the town, on October 7, and this year the Recinto Ferial or fairground once again hosts the majority of the celebrations in the Nueva Espuña residential development on the western edge of the town.

This fairground will be home to the funfair and the marquees erected by the peñas (or Feria groups) as well as live music almost every night. Occupying an area of 16,000 square metres, it offers plenty of space for the food stalls and other establishments, and the central avenue is 16 metres wide and equipped with benches, trees which provide shade, LED lighting and a fountain.

The fairground has over 200 parking spaces and a tourist train will run to and from the town centre every 15 minutes entirely free of charge in the following timeframes:

October 2, 3, 6, 9, 10 and 11; 19.00 to 3.00.

October 4, 5, 7, 8 and 12; 19.00 to 1.00.

The trains runs from Calle San Francisco Javier (outside the Casa Américas) to the fairground and tickets are just 50 cents.

The schedule for the first week of the fair includes the following:

Saturday September 26

18.00: Dog show in the Plaza de las Américas, featuring agility, behaviour and training as well as a demonstration by the canine unit of the Policía Nacional.

20.00: Opening of the exhibition “Queridísima vocación pictórica”, featuring paintings by Alba Pagán, at the El Pósito venue (open until 25^th October).

Sunday September 27

8.30: Hike to Malvariche in Sierra Espuña and a chance to take part in the shooting of a videoclip of the song "Malvariche, Malvariche", setting out by bus from the Pabellón de Deportes Adolfo Suárez. Prior registration is needed through the Sonata Centro de Música or online.

12.00: Children’s theatre, “El Sultán Jarán-Chimpún”at the Casa de la Cultura.

19.00: Local traders’ fair in the town centre, with a prize draw for those making purchases in the establishments taking part. First prize 1,000 euros! At the same time there are shows by the local music and dance academies “Alhanza”, “Juan Ogalla”, “Paso a Paso” and “Origen” in the Plaza de las Américas.

Wednesday September 30

20.30: The opening of the annual bird show and competition at the Espacio Joven La Estación. The event runs until 4^th October.

Friday October 2

17.00: Opening of the Feria market in the Plaza de las Américas. Timetable Friday 17.00 to 21.00, Saturday and Sunday 11.00 to 21.00.

19.00: The fairground and kiosks open at the Nueva Espuña venue (click for map). The fair remains open until 11^th October.

20.00: The lights are switched on at the fairground.

23.00: Live music from Dextremo, a tribute to the group Extremo Duro, at the fairground.

23.05: The fiestas groups’ marquees officially open at the fairground.

Saturday October 3

11.00 to 21.00: The Feria market continues in the Plaza de las Américas.

10.00: Guided tour of Alhama de Murcia in English, visiting some of the best-known and important buildings and locations in the town. Registration costs 3 euros for adults and 2 euros for children aged 3 to 12 and is available online here or through the tourist office (telephone 968 633512).

11.30: The same guided tour is held in Spanish, registration available online here.

13.00: The opening of the day fair in Calle Paraguay, between the swimming pool and the ‘Adolfo Suarez’ sports pavilion. The fair opens on October 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11 from 13.00 to 20.00. The fair runs until 12^th October.

21.00: The official opening speech of the Feria and the firing of the starting rocket in the Plaza de la Constitución.

21.45: The National Folk Music and Dancing Festival in the Plaza de la Constitución, featuring the "María del Mar Sillero" group from Málaga, the “Grup de danses Arcude de Vall d'Uixó” (from Castellón) and the local Grupo de Coros y Danzas Virgen del Rosario de Alhama de Murcia.

23.00: Germán Meoro performs big Spanish pop hits at the fairground.

Sunday October 4

11.00 to 21.00: The Feria market continues in the Plaza de las Américas.

15.00: A DJ set at the fairground followed by a live performance by Marlene in the marquee in Calle Paraguay.

19.15: The bands taking bard in the Festival de Bandas de Música gather for a reception in the Plaza de la Constitución.

19.30: The groups begin a musical parade through the streets.

20.00: On their return to the Plaza de la Constitución the bands take part in a concert, led by the band of the Ateneo Músico Cultural Maestro José Antonio Ayala de Alhama de Murcia.

20.30: Display by the Alhanza dance school at the fairground.

22.00: All-time favourite hits from La Década de tu Vida at the fairground.

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist office (telephone 968 633512) or go to the home page of Alhama Today.