Vera Fiesta 2023: Full Schedule, History & What It Celebrates

A picture of the Vera Fiesta 2023 poster

The Vera Fiesta, also known as “La Feria del Levante” is a traditional celebration held around September 25th in honor of the patron saint, San Cleofás.

The fiesta has its roots in a historical event that took place in September 1569. During the War of the Alpujarras, the city of Vera was besieged by Aben Humeya.

Residents managed to break the siege and sought help from nearby towns. The siege was lifted, and since then, by royal decree, the city has celebrated this event with grand festivities.

The month of September is the most festive in Vera, starting with a traditional pilgrimage in honor of the Virgen de las Huertas. The fiesta itself spans five days and includes various activities such as parades, theater performances, and traditional dances.

Each year, new elements are introduced, making the fiesta a dynamic and ever-evolving celebration.

Table of Contents

Fiesta Layout & Map

A map of the Vera 2023 fiesta in Almeria

The Vera Fiesta 2023 Schedule

Here’s the full schedule of what’s going on at the Vera Fiesta 2023.

Thursday, September 21st (Children’s Day)

2:00 PM: Traditional Brotherhood Lunch at Restaurante Terraza Carmona.
7:00 PM: Parade of Giants and Big Heads accompanied by the Municipal Band.
7:30 PM: Reception of authorities and 2022 Queens and Maids of Honor at the Town Hall.
8:00 PM: Inaugural rocket launch of the 2023 Fair.
9:30 PM: Official opening of the Fairgrounds, followed by a speech and local awards.

Friday, September 22nd

9:30 AM: Breakfast at Churrería Chispa for the elderly.
From 2:00 PM: Midday Fair at the Fairgrounds El Palmeral.
6:00 PM: Traditional ribbon race on C/ Isabel la Católica.
10:00 PM: Performance by Seguridad Social.
12:00 AM: Performance by Orquesta Vintash.

Saturday, September 23rd (Tourist Day)

12:00 PM: Carnation distribution by the 2023 Queens and Maids of Honor to visitors and locals at Plaza Mayor and the historic center.
From 2:00 PM: Midday Fair at the Fairgrounds El Palmeral.
2:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Children’s play area at the park in El Palmeral.
5:30 PM: Monumental Bullfight.
10:00 PM: Performance by Andy y Lucas.
12:00 AM: Performance by the Orquesta Davinci.

Sunday, September 24th

From 2:00 PM: Midday Fair at the Fairgrounds El Palmeral.
2:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Children’s play area at the park in El Palmeral.
6:00 PM: Traditional float parade and street procession at the Fairgrounds El Palmeral.
9:00 PM: Performance by Rondalla de Mayores.
10:30 PM: Performance by the Orquesta Classics Show.

Monday, September 25th

2:00 PM: Midday Fair at the Fairgrounds El Palmeral.
2:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Children’s play area at the park in El Palmeral.
6:00 PM: Holy Mass at the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, followed by a solemn procession in honor of San Cleofás, the Patron Saint of Vera.
9:30 PM: Performance by the Flamenco Dance Academy ‘Las Chibancas’.
10:30 PM: Performance by the Orquesta Classics Show.
12:00 AM: Traditional fireworks display.

How to Get There

For those coming from Mojácar, the journey to Vera is quite straightforward.

You can take the AL-5107 and AL-7107 roads, which will get you to Vera in approximately 20-25 minutes by car.

Public transportation options are also available, including buses that run regularly between Mojácar and Vera. Here’s the latest bus timetable (as of 22/09/2023)

Picture of the Levante Almeriense 2023 bus timetable

Parking

Parking can be a bit challenging during the fiesta due to the influx of visitors. However, there are several options available. You can find parking lots near the Fairgrounds El Palmeral, although they tend to fill up quickly. Street parking is also an option but do arrive early to secure a spot. Some local businesses offer parking spaces, but these are usually limited and may require a fee.