Calamity Jo had a great time at the Órgiva Feria, despite missing most of the attractions. She is now asking “is party season over yet” (of course it’s not!)…
THE Órgiva Feria – the annual highlight in the de facto ”capital of La Alpujarra” – took place from 25 to 29 September, 2025. Órgiva Feria honours the town’s patron saint, San Sebastián Although the event is rooted in religion, these days it is more about colourful spectacles, dancing, and various challenges – both official and self-inflicted!
As with most town fiestas, the focus is on fun, fun, fun! This is achieved using street decorations, fairground rides, ‘cintas de caballo’ races, a wacky home-made car rally, live music gigs, egg-eating, inflatable Olympic games, dancing into the early hours, and late-night pizza. The list goes on….
This year, the Órgiva town hall gave more consideration to “los guiris”, with regards to entertainment choices and publicity on English-speaking forums. This included stating exactly when the fireworks would be ignited! Well done.
Separate Órgiva Feria areas, at different times of day
The truth is that Órgiva’s feria doesn’t happen in a single place — it’s spread across different zones, each with their own unique atmosphere.
- Feria del Día (bottom end of Calle Doctor Fleming): Bars with tables on the street, a stage with music, flamenco dancing, paella-eating, etc. A daytime hub with half the town enjoying ‘una cerveza’. Good old Calamity Jo missed attending this area while it was busy, but enjoyed the street decorations anyway!
- The ‘Municipal Carpa’ and Bar Tesoro/Javivi Bar (top end of town): This year, the top end of town was the coolest. The bestest! As well as housing the official ‘municipal carpa’ (huge tent containing stage and sound system), with late night bands, this zone also featured the colourful Tesoro Bar by the Spar supermarket and the Javivi Bar. This was all located near our house! So how did we manage to miss most of it?
- Side attractions: The school carpark featured ‘Huevo Rock’ on Friday night, for the ‘extranjeros’ and Spanish musos alike. On Sunday, in the Rio Chico, the annual ‘migas’ bake-off occurred. There was also a display of horse-drawn carriages that – you’ve guessed it – Calmity Jo missed! Meanwhile, at the ‘polideportivo’ (sports ground), inflatable Olympics proved a huge attraction on Sunday evening (Calamity took her horse!).
At Órgiva feria, it’s easy to venture out at the ‘wrong’ time (around 7-8pm), and walk through empty streets. And then stagger up the town’s steepest slope to your house, where you repose on the sofa and…. give up! The real fun starts again at around 1am, for future reference! Once you’ve flopped, you might drop for good! So don’t flop.
Being tired from “the season” beforehand
For Calamity Jo, Órgiva feria was a triumph and a failure simultaneously. Having Roble (horse) present again – for the ‘cintas’ race – made it a more chilled-out experience, largely avoiding the late night dancing in favour of horse-care. OK, that might be an excuse for generally being tired….
This year, Órgiva feria came straight on the back of the excellent Planta Bass Festival, near Granada. Follow that with a lengthy downhill horse ride, and dragging oversized water buckets around, and even someone younger than Calamity might feel “jaded”.
In the end, Calamity was present (in Órgiva), but spent too long inside the house. The atmosphere (and sounds) seeped in directly through the window!
What was seen or attended…
Calamity’s personal highs and lows of Órgiva Feria
Skipping Thursday night felt tactical – to remain fresh for the ‘cintas’ race on the Friday at noon. Calamity’s son, who practically had to be dragged from bed, pulled off four ribbons and won a €40 prize. The physical exertion of the horse event, in the midday sun (even if not galloping under the rope yourself!), led to an unplanned siesta during the ‘Feria del Dia’, meaning that some free food and a Flamenco dress contest were missed.
Friday evening proved an unexpected disaster, when the key to the horse corral suddenly disappeared (this was while sober!). The solution was to drive to another town for the spare key (and a good sleep), while a planned visit to the Tesoro Bar was abandoned.
Saturday brought the fatal “rest the feet” mode, after venturing out during the evening gap, when no music was playing. This was followed by beers with a house guest. We finally ventured out at 5am to see the colourful event – just as every venue shut down for the night!
Sunday evening brought the “delight” of Calamity riding Roble around town wearing a purple fiesta dress – as most guests were departing the main drag! Horse and rider enjoyed a 2hr hack towards Tablones via Tijola, taking in the inflatable Olympics en route. This was a definite highlight.
On Sunday night, DJ Dolly – playing at the Javivi bar – turned a local wall into what looked like a Pacha Ibiza backdrop. Old-skool tunes attracted happy dancers. Gala’s ‘Freed from Desire’ is a real favourite. The night was topped off by pizza-eating and ‘vino blanco’.
Verdict: flawed but fun
Despite badly-timed naps and missed attractions, this Órgiva Feria was one of the ‘funnest’ in years.
And the best thing? Apart from the horsey elements. There’s always another feria!
Cádiar kicks off on Thursday, with Pórtugos following suit… and Trevélez.
Whatever feria you miss, it is never the ultimate. Like rounds of drinks in Andalucia, it’s not even the penultimate. Don’t forget: we have Halloween soon, accompanied by the annual ‘castañada’ celebration to mark All Saints. Then it will be Christmas. Isn’t there something in between, such as a national ‘puente’ or two? We’re sure there is! In the land where fun never ends…. you’re well-entertained.
Calamity Jo’s Órgiva Feria Survival Tips
- Never nap after walking uphill. “Resting your feet” is fatal.
- Guard your keys. Tie them to your wrist if you must.
- Stay near the top end. Tesoro, Javi Bar, DJ Dolly — the cool end has it all.
- Keep the window open. If you can’t go out, let the feria come in while you drink the beer at home.
- Skip the contests. Egg-eating after Rioja is a rookie error.
- Remember: there’s always another feria.
