Feria de Albacete o Feria de la Virgen de Los Llanos

The Albacete Fair, declared to be of International Tourist Interest

The Albacete Fair is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated events of the year in the city and a key highlight on Spain’s festive calendar. With a history spanning over three centuries, this fair has established itself as one of the country’s most significant celebrations, attracting thousands of visitors each September.

History of the Albacete Fair

The Albacete Fair has its roots in the 17th century, when it began as a livestock fair. Over time, it has evolved into a multifaceted event that blends tradition, culture, and modernity. In 2008, it was declared of International Tourist Interest, a recognition that highlights its significance and appeal both nationally and internationally.

The Albacete Fair is held in honour of the Virgen de los Llanos, the city’s patron saint. This devotion originated from a series of miraculous events that have left a lasting mark on the history of Albacete. The image of the Virgen de los Llanos was discovered in the 15th century by a farmer in the Los Llanos area, about 8 kilometres from Albacete. According to legend, the image was found in a furrow while the farmer was ploughing the land. Despite his attempts to take the image home, it kept disappearing and reappearing in the same spot where it was originally found. This phenomenon was interpreted as a miracle, and the image was eventually taken to the city, where it began to be venerated.

Where is the Albacete Fair?

The Fairground: The Heart of the Fair

The epicentre of the fair is the Fairground, affectionately known as “La Sartén” due to its distinctive circular shape. This historic venue, built in 1783, is a place where the past and present intertwine. During the ten days of the fair, it becomes the stage for stalls, exhibitions, markets, and, of course, the traditional bullfights, an element that is an essential part of this celebration.

What to do during the Albacete Fair?

The Albacete Fair is an event for all audiences. From concerts and shows for the younger crowd to art exhibitions and traditional activities for the older generation, the variety is so vast that it’s impossible not to find something to enjoy. Additionally, gastronomy plays a fundamental role, with numerous stalls and booths where you can taste typical regional dishes such as gazpacho manchego or La Mancha cheese.

Inauguration and Opening Parade

The fair begins with the traditional opening parade, known as “La Cabalgata,” where thousands of people, dressed in typical Manchego costumes, walk through the streets of the city until they reach the Fairgrounds. It is a spectacle full of color, music, and joy that marks the official start of the festivities.

Bullfights

One of the fundamental pillars of the fair is the Bullfighting Fair, held at the Albacete Bullring. Here, some of the most renowned bullfighters from the national and international scene gather to offer bullfighting shows that attract fans from all over the world. Bullfights are an inseparable element of the fair and represent one of its most deeply rooted traditions.

Cultural and Leisure Activities

The fair is not limited to bullfights and nightlife; it also includes a rich cultural program. Art exhibitions, concerts, theater, and activities for the little ones take place throughout the days, offering options for all interests. Music is omnipresent, with live performances in various booths and stages scattered throughout the city.

Manchego Gastronomy

Food is another major attraction of the Albacete Fair. Visitors can taste a wide variety of typical regional dishes at the numerous gastronomic stalls set up in the fairgrounds. From gazpacho manchego to sausages, cheeses, and local wines, the culinary offer is varied and delicious.

Children’s Fair and Amusement Fair

For the little ones, the fair also offers special spaces such as the Children’s Fair, with games, workshops, and shows designed for children. Additionally, the Amusement Fair, located near the Fairgrounds, offers a wide variety of mechanical attractions for all ages.

Fireworks and Closing

The fair culminates with a spectacular fireworks show that lights up the Albacete sky, marking the end of ten days of celebration. The closing is an emotional moment when the city bids farewell to its most important event of the year, but with the certainty that next September, the fair will return with even more vigor.

The Albacete Bullfighting Fair

The Albacete Bullfighting Fair, held during the Semana Grande in honour of the Virgen de Los Llanos, is one of the most important and eagerly awaited events in the Spanish bullfighting calendar. With a tradition that dates back over three centuries, this fair has established itself as an essential meeting point for bullfighting enthusiasts, attracting thousands of people from all over Spain and abroad.

What makes the Albacete Fair unique is not only the quality of the line-ups, which bring together the most prominent figures in bullfighting, but also the atmosphere in the city during those days. The streets come alive with colour and joy, with a mix of religious fervour and bullfighting passion that can be felt in every corner. The Albacete Bullring, with its imposing structure, becomes the epicentre of the festivities, hosting great bullfighting masters and young hopefuls looking to establish their careers.

Each afternoon of bullfighting is a date with excitement, where art and risk intertwine in a spectacle that reflects the essence of Spanish culture. For many, the Albacete Bullfighting Fair is more than a series of bullfights; it is a symbol of identity, a cultural legacy passed down from generation to generation.

In short, the Albacete Bullfighting Fair stands out not only for the quality of its events but also for the deep connection it establishes between the city, its inhabitants, and all those who, year after year, come to enjoy a tradition that remains alive and vibrant in the heart of Castilla-La Mancha.

Feria taurina de Albacete, Feria de la Virgen de los Llanos
The Albacete Bullfighting Fair

Reserve tickets bullfighting Albacete

Purchase your tickets from the Official Box Office and secure your seat for the best bullfighting event. Check the schedule, prices, and available seats. Don't miss out—book in advance!

Buy tickets

OTHER BULLFIGHTING FAIRS MORE BULLFIGHTING TICKETS

Plaza de toros de Valencia

Plaza toros Valencia

Feria de Fallas, Feria de Julio, octubre

Plaza de toros de Madrid

Plaza toros Las Ventas

Feria de San Isidro, feria de la Comunidad, Beneficencia, Feria de Otoño, Concursos Ganaderos