Alora Festivals

Of all the celebrations and festivals in Alora, the most important is Easter. On Good Friday a ceremony takes place called "la Despedida", The Goodbye, in which the effigies of the Dolorosa and Jesus of Nazareth are carried through the streets of Alora. The festival of Alora's patron saint, Saint Paulino, is celebrated at the beginning of August, with a cattle fair and numerous popular acts. In July Alora hosts a flamenco festival, and the next sunday after the 8th of May, there is a pilgrimage to the convent of Nuestra Señora de la Flores. Among the local folklore are the fandango of Alora, the local song and dance, which is never left out of local family celebrations.

Easter Good Friday "La Despedida" (The Goodbye)
Holy Week is known for its fervour and splendour. The Goodbye stands out as the act that celebrates the morning of the Holy Friday. People sometimes kneel down beside the effigies of the Dolorosa and Jesus of Nazareth and then accompany them as they are carried around the town, and into the night.

Carnival
As with the rest of the Catholic world, carnival is celebrated 40 days before Lent. Most Andalucian towns stage some kind of Carnival, where there is usually dancing, and a Carnival Queen contest.

Verdiales de las Cruzes Festival
In 1994, a tradition that had been in lost for more than 25 years was recovered. Thanks to the joint effort of the town halls of Álora, Almogía, Cártama, and Pizarra, The Holiday Of Verdiales Of The Crosses was again celebrated. This festival is celebrated on the May 1st.

Summer Fairs
Every town and village in Andalucia has its own Feria (Fair or Party), as does Alora. The summer Feria originated in the middle ages and was the principal means of interchange of local products within the kingdom. During the day the Feria takes place in the streets of the town which are closed to traffic, some businesses close for the whole Feria week. Bars are set up in the open air which serve different types of food and drink. Usually each bar provides their specialty of the house, which may be a Tapa, (a snack served on a very small plate with a piece of bread on the side), or a particular Jamon, (salt cured ham which is really, really delicious). Everyone enjoys themselves and people of all ages sing and dance in the street. Alora is warm and welcoming to visitors that come during the Feria.

At night the streets go quiet and the Feria moves to a large public area on the outskirts of the town, where a fairground and amusement park is set up, with lots of rides. Also set up are large tents, called casetas, each are sponsored by various clubs, associations or political organizations of the town, some have live entertainment, all have a bar that serves food. Be sure to to ask permission before you enter a caseta, which is the polite thing to do.