Villanueva del Rosario celebrates its Emigrant Fair with four days of music, traditions and family activities

Villanueva del Rosario will once again become a meeting point for residents, visitors and families returning to the town for their summer holidays. The 2026 Emigrant Fair will take place from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 August, with a programme combining music, sport, gastronomy, children’s activities and some of the municipality’s most deeply rooted traditions.

The festival was created more than half a century ago as a tribute to local residents who had emigrated and were unable to return for the patron saint festivities in October. Revived in 1973, it has since retained its character as a reunion between those who live in the town and those who return home during the summer.

Sport and a water party to open the fair

The programme will begin on Thursday, 6 August, which will also be Children’s Day, with reduced prices on the fairground rides.

Activities will start in the morning at the Manuel Aguilera Municipal Sports Hall with a football gathering for very young children and the finals of the summer leagues for several youth age groups. At 2 pm, the traditional Senior Citizens’ Lunch will take place at Complejo Rosario for registered residents over 65 and pensioners over 60.

In the afternoon, the municipal swimming pool will host a water inflatable party for children aged between five and 13. At 7 pm, the Floral Procession will leave Plaza de Andalucía, accompanied by the La Alegría del Puerto Rociero Choir, and continue towards Plaza de la Iglesia. A religious service will then be held at the Nuestra Señora del Rosario parish church.

ACED to deliver the opening speech

One of the main events of the opening night will be the official speech at 10.30 pm in the Municipal Marquee in Plaza Nueva del Saucedo. It will be delivered by ACED, a collective bringing together around 30 dance schools and professionals.

The Fair Royal Court will then be presented, followed by recognition of the 2026 Grandparents of the Year. From midnight, the venue will host performances by Vértigo Show Orchestra, the Fito & Fitipaldis tribute band Corazón Oxidado, and a DJ session by JuanCoga.

A large water park and children’s circus on Friday

On Friday, 7 August, the Las Clavellinas municipal football ground will be transformed into a large water park from 11 am to 2 pm. Admission will cost a symbolic €1, with proceeds going to the Sauce Capacita Association.

The afternoon will continue with the final of the children’s and cadet summer football league. At 8.30 pm, Plaza de España will host the children’s circus show Circurity, during which the 2026 Súper Peques will also be chosen.

The evening will feature performances by Vértigo Show Orchestra and Calle 40 Orchestra in the Municipal Marquee. A Purple Point will also operate on Avenida Blas Infante from 9 pm to 2 am, offering information, prevention and support relating to sexual violence.

Ham, wine and a traditional mini-fair on Saturday

The programme for Saturday, 8 August will begin at 10 am with a clay-pigeon shooting competition organised by the Las Montesas Hunters’ Association at El Retozo. A bar service, paella and ham will be available for those attending.

At 1.30 pm, Avenida Blas Infante will host a free ham and wine tasting, one of the fair’s main gastronomic attractions.

The afternoon will include a house-front decoration competition accompanied by the Saucedeña Musical and Cultural Association. Plaza de España will also revive traditional games and customs with a Traditional Mini-Fair, open from 7 pm to 9 pm.

During the night, the Municipal Marquee will welcome Vértigo Show Orchestra, Cinema Paradiso Orchestra and the covers band M80, which will perform popular songs from different decades.

The traditional running of young bulls takes centre stage on Sunday

The final day of the fair will begin early. From 8.30 am, hats and scarves will be distributed in Plaza de Andalucía, accompanied by a performance from Charanga Lanz.

At 9 am, the traditional running of young bulls will take place, one of the most characteristic and eagerly anticipated events of the Emigrant Fair. Organisers have reminded the public that children and elderly people are not allowed onto the route, and that any form of mistreatment of the animals is strictly prohibited.

After the event, Plaza de Andalucía will host a foam party. Later in the afternoon, Plaza de España will offer a programme of Traditional Games, bringing back activities enjoyed by different generations.

At 9 pm, the procession of the Holy Virgin of Rosario de la Loma will take place, accompanied by the Málaga School of Traditional Drummers. The image will travel through several streets before returning to its chapel.

The fair will conclude with a night of copla featuring Rocío Guerra, winner of the second edition of Original y Copla. Vértigo Show Orchestra will keep the celebrations going into the early hours.

One quiet hour each day to make the fair more accessible

During all four days, the fairground rides will operate without music between 10 pm and 11 pm. The measure is designed to create a more accessible environment for people with autism spectrum disorder and others who are particularly sensitive to noise.

Together with the Purple Point, the initiative reinforces the council’s intention to create safer and more inclusive festivities without losing the lively atmosphere that characterises the town at this time of year.

Highlights of the 2026 Emigrant Fair

Thursday 6: sport, Senior Citizens’ Lunch, water inflatables, Floral Procession, opening speech, presentation of the Fair Royal Court and a Fito & Fitipaldis tribute.
Friday 7: large water park, children’s circus, Purple Point and performances by Vértigo Show and Calle 40.
Saturday 8: clay-pigeon shooting, free ham and wine tasting, house-front competition, Traditional Mini-Fair and music from Cinema Paradiso and M80.
Sunday 9: running of young bulls, foam party, Traditional Games, procession of the Virgin of Rosario and a copla evening with Rocío Guerra.

With this extensive programme, Villanueva del Rosario will revive the original spirit of the Emigrant Fair over four days: bringing families together, preserving local traditions and turning the return home into a shared celebration.

Information sources: Diario SUR, the official programme for the 2026 Emigrant Fair, Villanueva del Rosario Town Council and Cadena SER Antequera.