Algorfa celebrates: Regular fiestas in Algorfa

Algorfa may be a small town, but it’s got a great big heart, and an even bigger love for fiestas. Whether you live here or just visit, chances are you’ll be able to enjoy at least one fiesta, whatever the time of year. We’re very fortunate that the Ayuntamiento de Algorfa also hosts a number of one-off events, particularly during school holidays and at Easter, Christmas and New Year, and you can find details of all these on their Facebook Page, which is in English. Follow the page to make sure you don’t miss out on anything, because the Spanish are not known for promoting their fiestas! Despite this, everyone seems to turn up on the day.

In this feature, we’re going to take a look at the regular fiestas through the year. Note that Algorfa does not host parades during Holy Week, (Semana Santa), but the adjacent town of Almoradi does, and there are numerous events in the surrounding towns.

Three Kings Eve

In Spain, Three Kings Day (6 January) is when families exchange gifts, and on 5 January, there’s a parade from the sports ground down Calle Mayor when the Kings and their attendants and dancers throw sweets into the crowd. It’s a smaller affair than the big parade in Torrevieja, when the Kings arrive in a boat, but it certainly brings the spirit of fiesta to the town. Arrive in the Plaza de España from around 5.00 pm to secure a good vantage point for the parade and maybe take a last look at the Belen before it’s dismantled for another year.

San Vicente Ferrer

Algorfa is lucky to have not one, but two patron saints. The modern church of San Vicente Ferrer in the Plaza de España celebrates its Patronal Fiesta on or around 15 April, although Vicente’s Saints Day is on April 5, when he died in 1419. It’s traditional to celebrate his life at the end of Holy Week. There’s usually a parade through the town with the statue of the saint, followed by a free communal paella or barbecue. This year (2023) 15 April falls on a Saturday, so there will be a barbecue and music in the Plaza de España.

San Vicente Ferrer was a Dominican friar, born in Valencia in 1350. He is one of the patron saints of the Valencian Community, and there are many celebrations around the area, if you wish to go further afield than Algorfa. In his lifetime, he was well known throughout Europe, and was politically active, representing Valencia at the Compromise of Caspe in 1410, which proclaimed Ferdinand of Castille as King of Aragon. Unlike many Catholic saints, he did not suffer martyrdom, although he was named after the fourth century San Vicente the Martyr, also a patron saint of Valencia.

Feria de Abril

The Feria de Abril, or April Fair, actually originated in Seville, Andalusia, as recently as 1846. Originally, it was a 3-day fair to trade livestock, but this is Spain, and Spain loves a party, so it soon became a celebration of dancing and horsemanship, and this is what Algorfa’s Feria de Abril is all about.

The first Algorfa Ferias were held in the Plaza de España, but they soon moved to the more spacious and picturesque surroundings of the Ermita. There’s a stage for the dancers, mainly from local dance schools, although it’s not unusual to see locals dancing through the fiesta area in full flamenco dress. There are also numerous ‘casetas’ (market-type stalls) selling food, flamenco costumes, toys and all sorts of things.

This year (2023) the Feria runs from 28 – 30 April, and there are various performances arranged. Be ready for some late nights some of the shows are scheduled at 9.30 and 11.30 p.m!

Fiesta of the Virgen del Carmen

Algorfa’s foremost fiesta is dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of the Ermita Chapel. This runs for 10 days to two weeks, with Virgen del Carmen Day being the height of the celebrations on 16 July. There’s a full programme of events and parades for children and adults, including a moving Romeria (Pilgrimage) to the Ermita, followed by a special Mass and a breakfast of sardines, bread and beer cooked by locals.

The Virgen del Carmen is another aspect of Mary, mother of Jesus, and she is the patron saint of sailors, also known as Estrella de Mar, or Star of the Sea. She is also the patron saint of the armed forces, and since the Guardia Civil are also members of the armed forces, even inland towns celebrate her feast day.

To be sure of being in Algorfa for this fiesta, arrange to be here in the middle two weeks of July. Dates may vary from year to year, but the fiesta will always culminate with a procession and fireworks on 16 July.

Inauguration of the Belen

The Belen is Spain’s version of the Nativity, and in Algorfa that means a huge marquee is erected in the Plaza de España to house the representation of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. The grand opening of the Belen takes place around a week before Christmas Day, usually on a Sunday afternoon, and is accompanied by a live enaction of the Nativity and Christmas songs in Spanish and English, led by the Enthusiasticals, a community choir based on La Finca urbanisation.

This is when Christmas really gets under way in Algorfa, which is why it’s included in this list, although as fiestas go it’s pretty short.

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve)

It’s traditional on the last day of the year to join together and party in the Plaza de España. Many people bring along cava to toast in the New Year, after attempting to eat the customary 12 grapes, one on each stroke of midnight. The Ayuntamiento provides party packs which include the grapes, garlands, streamers, hats and tooters, and it’s followed by – you guessed it – fireworks!

As mentioned before, there’s lots of community entertainment and special events happening Around Algorfa throughout the year, so check the Ayuntamiento page and local Facebook groups so you don’t miss out. And if I’ve missed out a regular fiesta from this list, please let me know so I can update the feature. See you at the next fiesta.