The mayor, Juan Manuel Valle, presided over the lighting ceremony alongside representatives from local football clubs, honoured this year. The Real features 62 booths and four days of fair.
The 2026 Fair of Los Palacios and Villafranca is now underway. The lighting of the entrance and fairground on the night of Wednesday, 23 September marked the start of four days of celebration at the Real, which this year hosts 62 booths.
The inaugural event was presided over by the mayor, Juan Manuel Valle, accompanied by the municipal delegate for Tourism and Festivities, Juan Manuel Bernal, and other members of the Municipal Corporation. The lighting mechanism was activated by representatives from the municipality's football clubs and the Municipal Football School La Unión, in recognition of their grassroots work.
Specifically, representatives from CD Los Palacios CF, Club La Liara Balombié, CF Femenino La Unión Los Palacios y Villafranca, CD Maribáñez, CD La Unión Fútbol B, Club MC La Unión, and AD Mosqueo, along with the municipal school, participated in the lighting.
The mayor highlighted the educational role of these clubs beyond sports results. “Having so many boys and girls practicing sports in different disciplines is very good for a town like ours. And in football, we are a global example,” stated Valle, who recalled that the municipality has seen three world champions born with the Spanish national team: Jesús Navas, Fabián Ruiz, and Gavi.
The mayor emphasized that this tribute aims to highlight “many years of grassroots work, the selfless efforts of our clubs, coaches, and families.” He also noted that these representatives have contributed throughout the year to bringing the name of Los Palacios and Villafranca to media outlets around the world thanks to the international successes of local footballers.
The opening day also served to recognise the history of three historic booths at the Real. The booths Buscón-Martillo and Tiritato received a distinction for their 50 years of presence at the fair, while Ajorca el Lagarto was honoured for its 25 years.
The opening of the fairground was enlivened by a performance from Dore Cruz, leading into four days of community, music, dance, and tradition around the booths and the scheduled recreational and equestrian activities.
One of the main novelties of this edition is the new configuration of the entrance, which reaches 21.5 metres in width and incorporates an additional arch to the traditional design. The mayor highlighted the extensive work carried out over weeks and months to set up an infrastructure that involves various municipal delegations, public services, security forces, emergency teams, and booth operators.
The mayor also underscored the economic impact that the Fair generates in the municipality, with activity in sectors such as hospitality, catering, commerce, flamenco fashion, footwear, the equestrian world, installations, and professional services.
Among the measures included in this edition is again the Punto Violeta, located next to the entrance, as a space for information, prevention, awareness, and support in the event of potential situations of gender violence. This year, a specific campaign against chemical submission is also included, with indicator bracelets to warn of the possible presence of certain substances in drinks. The initiative has the collaboration of Cruz Roja, which will carry out prevention and awareness actions during the Fair and provide support and assistance.
The Fair will also have a comprehensive security and emergency device, with the presence and coordination of Local Police, Guardia Civil, health services, and emergency teams.
Specific measures have also been planned to facilitate a more inclusive Fair. Families will have identification bracelets for children, which can be collected in front of the Information Point, next to the entrance, especially useful in case a child gets lost.
The amusement area will also feature a time slot without music, from 19:00 to 21:00 hours, during all days of the Fair, to enhance the enjoyment of people with special sensitivity to sound stimuli.
Today, Thursday, 24 September, a local holiday, is especially dedicated to the little ones with the celebration of Children's Day. The attractions will offer special prices from opening until 22:00 hours.
One of the major attractions of the Fair will once again be the traditional Horse and Carriage Parade, which will have special prominence on Friday, 25 September. That day, the Horse Riding Contest will take place, with categories for riders, amazons, and pairs, as well as the VI Exhibition-Contest of Carriages. The XII Meeting of Amazons will also take place.
During these days, a free adapted taxi service for people with reduced mobility will be available to the public, operating through the phone or WhatsApp at 667 62 15 48.
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