ARCHIVED - 4th to 7th October; First 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 first weekend of fiestas

Friday 4th 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.

17.00: Children's facepainting in the recinto ferial

17.30: Opening ceremony (the chupinazo, calling all the youngsters to go off and enjoy the fiestas) for children in the recinto de peñas with a performance by Imagilandia.

01.00: The official opening ceremony (for adults this time!) with chupinazo (noisy call to go out and enjoy the fiestas) and music provided by the Panther Orchestra in the recinto de peñas.

Saturday 5^th October

12.00: Dog display by the Aledo canine rescue unit in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento

18.00: Rele-Beer competition in the Recinto de Peñas.

19.00: Peñas ping pong competition in the Recinto de Peñas

19.00: Inauguration of a new exhibition in the Sala Gregorio García Sánchez entitled Creatividad, produced by members of the Cuco painting workshops. On display until the 13th October daily between 18.00 and 20.30

20.00: Mass organised by the housewives' association of Torre Pacheco

21.00: Chocolate and cake in the Centro Cívico for members of the association

22.00: The official fiestas opening speech in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

22.30: The fiestas queen and her court of honour are crowned in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

23.30: Entertainment with the show “El Gran Cabaret” in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

23.00: Solidarity music with the Los40 pop festival in the Recinto de Peñas

Sunday 6th October; Día Huertano, or the day on which the agricultural traditions of the municipality are celebrated

11.00:Misa huertana, a musical folk-style Mass

11.30: Mock bullfighting for children in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

12.00: Mock bullfighting exhibition in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

12.30: Huertano parade with participants in traditional regional costume.

14.00: Fellowship lunch . Prior reservation required

14.30: Solidarity Migas to raise funds for those affected by the Gota Fría. This is taking place in the Recinto de Peñas and is an opportunity to come along and buy a portion of Migas.

16.00: Live music from Aires de la Calle and Contraband in the Recinto de Peñas.

17.15: Bullfighting in the portable Plaza de Toros.

20.00: Traditional floral and fruit offering to the Virgen del Rosario in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with many of the participants wearing regional costume.

22.00: Live music in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento

23.00: Night of music for young people in the Recinto de Peñas with Andrés Arias, Óscar Madrid, Santo Di Carlo and Derek Muller

Monday 7th October: Day of the Patrona, the Virgen del Rosario

09.00: Mass in honour of the deceased.

9.30: Pasacalles, an informal parade and noisy wake-up call through the streets, featuring the Giants and Big-Heads (papier maché costumes!), the Queen of the fiestas and her court of honour.

12.00: Mass dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario in the parish church.

13.30: Concert for the day of the Patrona, performed by the Agrupación Musical Nuestra Señora del Pasico de Torre Pacheco.

17.30: XXI Edition of the world melon throwing competition in the recinto de Peñas

19.30: The figure of the Virgen is paraded through the streets of the town in a procession.

21.30: Grand firework display.

22.30: Grand variety show in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

See separate article for the following week of events

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