Village Life at Villaricos
The Sunday Market and Village Fiestas
Villaricos being a real village, it has its own Sunday market for the local people from the interior of the Almanzora Valley, the “domingeros”, who traditionally come down to the coast on Sundays. Likewise, being a real Spanish village with a history, it has its own particular fiestas.
The Villaricos Sunday Market
The Sunday Market ebbs and flows according to the season, smaller in winter and larger in summer; overall in recent years, it has been growing ever larger, more extensive and interesting. The heart of the market is of course the superb sun ripened local fruit and vegetables; grown for local consumption and not for northern European super markets, they have to be tasted to be believed. You will never have enjoyed such juicy sweet oranges nor such flavourful broccoli or tomatoes elsewhere!
The market also attracts a whole variety of other stalls, lots of unbelievably economic, but good quality attractive clothing, accessories, gewgaws and other fun items. The market is where the whole village meets every Sunday, takes a solo or a café con leche and a cognac and tapas, in preparation for that all important Spanish custom, Sunday Lunch!
Fiestas in Villaricos, Cuevas del Almanzora & the Almanzora Region
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2006
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1st of May
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National
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Día del Trabajador (Labour Day)
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10th & 11th June
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Local
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Moros y Cristianos - Mojácar
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17th of July
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Local
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Día de la Virgen del Carmen (patron saint of the fisherman)
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8th of August
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Local
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Palomares Fiestas
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15th of August
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National
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Día de la Virgen Maria
(Villaricos & Águilas Village Fiestas)
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16th of August
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Local
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Garrucha Town Fiestas
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28th of August
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Local
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Mojácar Village Fiestas
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8th of September
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Local
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Antas Village Fiestas
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25 of September
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Local
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Vera Town Fiestas
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4th of October
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Local
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Turre Village Fiestas
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12th of October
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National
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Día de la Virgen del Pilar (patron saint of Spain)
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1st of November
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National
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Día de Todos los Santos (Halloween)
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13th of November
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Local
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San Diego (Cuevas del Almanzora Fiestas)
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6th of December
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National
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Día de la Constitución (Day of the Constitution)
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8th of December
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National
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Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
(The Immaculate Conception)
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25th of December
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National
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Christmas Day
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2007
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1st of January
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National
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New Year’s Day
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6th of January
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National
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Dia de los Reyes (Epiphany)
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28th of February
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Regional
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Día de Andalucía ( Andalucía Day)
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23rd of March
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Local
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Día de la Vieja
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5th & 6th of April
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National
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Easter Holidays
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1st of May
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National
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Día del Trabajador ( Labour Day)
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In Villaricos, the outstanding fiestas are:
- The Dia de la Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of the Villaricos, fishermen. The revered Holy Virgin is taken down from the church to the Esperanza Harbour to be embarked on a tiny fishing boat and is sailed out to sea to bless the village fishing grounds. The virgin is kept company by a colourful flotilla and some extremely lively frivolities unfold, featuring the village youth, lots of noise and a very greasy pole over the sea.
- The Dia de la Virgen Maria, this is the occasion of the Villaricos Village Summer Fiesta, lasting three days in mid August. A stage is set up in the ol village plaza, the local bars set up their tables outside and the nights are set aside for celebrations and dancing. The whole village has a real buzz about it.
- Times Not Long Gone. In the fiestas of the past, the after midnight hours of Villaricos used to be tense with growing anticipation and trepidation, as the crowds awaited the dramatic appearance of the Torres del Fuego. These terrifying Bulls of Fire were chariots, spitting fire crackers in all directions, but mostly horizontal! They suddenly materialised from nowhere and everywhere at once, charging directly into the middle of wherever the waiting crowds were thickest, scattering young and old in all directions.
Health and Safety have put paid to this customary local escapade, spurred on no doubt by the foray, one year, of a Bull of Fire onto the flat roof of one of the bars, where revellers had gathered in hope of safety, only to find themselves having to leap from the roof to save themselves. Even there theywere not safe, in that time, not so long ago before the square had been paved, some local wags had had the bright idea of burying thunder-flashes under the square!
So no bull of fire anymore … but then less frightening one eyed, one legged villagers!
In Cuevas del Almanzora – Semana Santa – Holy Week
The Holy Week processions of the local market town of Cuevas del Almanzora have been declared of National Touristic Importance and rightly so. It is a strangely emotional and striking experience, even for the most agnostic, to be present during these colourful processions. The crowd, packing the narrow streets of the old town, becomes totally silent with respect and the atmosphere becomes electric with passion and faith.
Elsewhere in the Region
Consult the list above or visit www.famp.es/famp/varios/fiestas for details of other fiestas and always try to include one of them in your visit, they embody the true joyous but dark spirit of old Spain.
The National Festival of Choral Singing & Harmony, VI Edition
Venue - El Puerto de la Esperanza, Villaricos. Date: 31st July 2005
This prestigous and enchanting choral competition is held each Summer on the sea front of Villaricos. The sixth holding of the Certamen de Habaneras y Polifonia in 2005 was attended by 5,000 people gathered in the Esperanza harbour in Villaricos. Last years edition saw the participation of four choirs: the Chorale Polifónica Carthagonova; the vocal grouping Clarialba; the Laudate Choir and the Choir of the University of Agriculture of Beijing.
Each choir, competing for a prize of 3,000 euros, interpreted three songs, in addition to singing the obligatory locally composed “Habanera”. The first prize in 2005 went to Clarialba from Valencia, under the direction of Juan Carlos Sempere.
Creamfields, Andalucia
Venue - Villaricos Beach. Date: Saturday, 12th August 2006
This is Creamfields Andalucia. A real musical experience in an idyllic location, creating a very special atmosphere where all that matters is to dance and enjoy the best artists from all over the world. Cuevas de Almanzora, and in particular Villaricos beach on the coast of Almeria, will be the setting for this very special event, now in it's third edition.
Photos of the 2005 Second Edition
2006 Third Edition Line Up
Pet Shop Boys, Carl Cox, Jeff Mills, John Digweed, Miss Kittin, Dave Clarke, !!!, Radio Soulwax presents Nite Versions live + 2ManyDJs, Audio Bullys, Superdiscount live, Angel Molina, Fischerspooner, Vitalic live, Donnacha Costello live, Justice, The Glimmers, Alex Under live, Roger Sanchez, WhoMadeWho, Tiga, The MFA live, Ricardo Villalobos, Christian Smith, Hernan Cattaneo, Alexander Kowalski feat Khan live, Annie Nightingale, Undo & Vicknoise live, Buenavista, MouseUp, Omar Leon, djd!, mrdj vs stainboy, d.a.r.y.l
www.creamfields-andalucia.com
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