ARCHIVED - 11th to 13th October ; Last weekend of Torre Pacheco Fiestas

A huge progamme of free music, artisan crafts, parades and lots of fun

Torre Pacheco celebrates its fiestas every October in honour of the Virgen del Rosario between the 4th and 13th October.

During this period the centre of Torre Pacheco is filled with events and activities as the town celebrates its fiestas patronales in honour of the Virgen del Rosario.

There are two central areas for the activities within the programme, one for the general public and the other for the peñas, or fiestas groups: the major public area is the Plaza del Ayuntamiento in the centre of town (click for map), where there are a number of workshops, free musical events and other activities, while the Recinto de Penas is in the Rambla by the CAES Centre.

An arts and crafts market is also being held for the duration of the fiestas in the recinto ferial, with opening hours of 10:00 to 14;00 and 17:00 to 21:00 between the 4th and 14th October.

The public are welcome to go along to any of the peña events, and there are some attractive concerts scheduled every year. The Recinto is open and can be accessed by anyone, and the peñas, who work all year to raise money for these fiestas, have their own marquees and hospitality areas for their members and their friends.

Not all of the peña-only activities are included in the programme below as some of them are fun competitions for the groups themselves, but everything shown is open for the public to go along to and enjoy. There is no charge for anything except where mentioned, apart from the food and drinks purchased during the dances and other events!

For many the highlight of the annual fiestas is the parade of floats decorated by rolled paper, which is unique to Torre Pacheco and is being held this year on 12th October. There is also a typical selection of the normal fairground attractions and children’s activities: something for everyone!

All enquiries relating to venues or activities should be made to the tourist information office in Torre Pacheco.

Programme for the second weekend of fiestas

Friday 11th October

17.00: The arts and crafts market opens with stalls remaining open until 14^th October in the recinto ferial until 14^th October, between 10.00 and 14.00 and from 17.00 to 21.00.

23.00:  Live music from the Orquesta TAXXARA in the Recinto de Peñas

Saturday 12^th October is the "Día del Pilar"

12.00: Holy Mass in honour of the Virgen del Pilar and a national Bank Holiday

20.00: Grand parade of floats and paper carriages. This is the big parade of the week and is well worth attending to see the paper decorations on the carriages which have been created laboriously by hand with pieces of rolled-up paper. So much work has gone into these amazing paper creations; come along and watch the parade! Route: Avenida Fontes, Calle Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Avenida de Roldán, Recinto de Peñas.

22.30: Night of free live music; "A night in Mexico" in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento

23.00: II Frstival 90's Pacheco Dance, a night of live music featuring the ebst hits of the 90's with Paco Pil, New Limit, Marian Dacal, Eva Marti, and DJ set with Brisa Play.

Sunday 13th October; Día Rociero

On this day the traditions relating to Andalucían dance and music are celebrated.

09.30: Gathering of lacemakers (“bolilleros”), who make lace by hand in the traditional fashion. Come along and see the lacemakers from various groups around the country work in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

10.00: Classic car rally outside the Centro Cívico.Organised by the Club de vehículos clásicos de santa Rosalía

10.30: Gathering of horses and carriages in Calle Cartagena, prior to the annual ride through the streets of the town which starts at 11.30 and is followed by brunch at 13.00 back at the starting point.

12.00: Musical performance by Magic cocktail in the Recinto de Peñas

13.00: Almuerzo caballista. A "breakfast" in the Recinto de Peñas, horseman-style

20.00: Concert by the SCT MARIAE SKOLE BIG BAND and the Agrupación Musical Ntra. Señora del Pasico in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento

23.00: Grand firework display to end the annual fiestas of Torre Pacheco for 2018.

Join the Mar Menor group on Facebook for info about Los Alcázares, San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, Torre Pacheco, La Unión and Cartagena and keep up to date with all the latest news and events in the Mar Menor: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MarMenorNewsAndEvents/