From 14 to 22 August, Ciudad Real celebrates its Big Week in honour of the Virgen del Prado with almost 300 activities: the opening speech, concerts by Antonio Orozco and Pablo Alborán, bullfights, children's activities and fireworks. All the information and the full programme.
The Big Week of the Ciudad Real Fair and Festivities 2026, held in honour of the city's patron saint, the Virgen del Prado, takes place from Friday 14 to Saturday 22 August 2026. Over these nine days, the city hosts around 300 activities spread across the La Granja Fairground, the Municipal Auditorium, La Talaverana, the Paseo del Prado and other festive venues in the city centre.
Opening speech, Giants and Big-Heads parade and switching-on of the La Granja Fairground lights.
Concerts, bullfights, show jumping, daytime fair and children's activities.
Procession of the Octave of the Virgen del Prado and farewell fireworks.
Although the Big Week concentrates most of the programme, the festive atmosphere begins a few days earlier in the city, with preliminary events, street parades and the gradual setting-up of the marquees at the fairground. The official, final programme can always be checked at www.ciudadreal.es.
The Ciudad Real Fair 2026 programme combines tradition, music and celebration in a line-up of almost 300 activities. These are the main blocks that make up the nine days of festivities.
On Friday 14 August the fair officially kicks off with the naming of the Model Citizens 2026, the opening speech and the traditional Giants and Big-Heads parade to the fairground.
The La Granja Municipal Auditorium welcomes artists such as Antonio Orozco and Pablo Alborán, while La Talaverana offers six nights of free concerts for all audiences.
The bullfighting programme is completed with talks, tributes and the big bullfight on 20 August, as well as the National Show Jumping Competition at the fairground.
The religious services culminate on 22 August with the Solemn Procession of the Octave, broadcast live on Municipal Television this year.
New this year, the Paseo del Prado becomes a new daytime festive space, and the activities for little ones are extended to five days.
The Ciudad Real Fair 2026 says goodbye with a big fireworks display at midnight around the La Granja Fairground.
On Friday 14 August at 19:00, the Antiguo Casino Cultural Centre hosts the opening ceremony of the Big Week: the naming of the 'Model Citizens 2026', followed by the official opening speech given by journalist Laura Espinar Sánchez.
After the speech, the procession moves through the streets of the centre with the traditional Giants and Big-Heads parade to the La Granja Fairground, where the official switching-on of the lights and the opening of the marquees take place, kicking off nine days of non-stop celebration.
Music is one of the fair's big attractions. The La Granja Municipal Auditorium hosts the most eagerly awaited ticketed concerts, while La Talaverana offers six nights of free music and the Youth Marquee features local artists and DJs all week long.
Opening concert at the La Granja Municipal Auditorium, on the same night as the opening speech and the switching-on of the fair lights.
Doors open at 21:00, with free entry by invitation at the La Granja Municipal Auditorium.
One of the most eagerly awaited concerts of the Ciudad Real Fair 2026, at the La Granja Municipal Auditorium.
An electronic music session at the La Granja Municipal Auditorium, coinciding with the bullfighting day.
This year's headliner closes the big concerts at the La Granja Municipal Auditorium.
Six nights of free music at La Talaverana and nine consecutive nights of artists, tribute bands and DJs at the Youth Marquee on the La Granja Municipal Track.
The bullfighting tradition remains one of the highlights of the programme. The big bullfight takes place on 20 August at 19:30, with Víctor Puerto's farewell from the Ciudad Real bullring, accompanied by Daniel Luque and Samuel Navalón, with bulls from Arauz de Robles.
A preliminary event for fans, presenting the fair's bullfighting season.
Recognition of one of the most traditional bull ranches in the Ciudad Real bullrings.
An educational activity open to the public as part of the programme leading up to the main bullfight.
The fair's most important bullfighting event, with Víctor Puerto's farewell and bulls from Arauz de Robles.
The Ciudad Real Fair 2026 also hosts the National Show Jumping Competition, with equestrian events at the fairground that round off the tradition and sport on the festival agenda.
The La Granja Fairground is the heart of the celebration throughout the Big Week. After the lights are switched on on 14 August, its marquees open every night with music, food and a festive atmosphere for all audiences.
The fairground brings together marquees run by local clubs, associations and bars, open every night from the switching-on of the lights on 14 August until the end of the festivities.
Its own programme for nine consecutive nights with artists, tribute bands and local DJs, designed especially for younger audiences.
New this year, young people can buy tickets at the Youth Marquee to enter the fairground marquee and avoid the entry queues.
The Ciudad Real Fair has its origins in devotion to the Holy Virgen del Prado, the city's patron saint. Religious events take place throughout the week and culminate on Saturday 22 August with the Solemn Procession of the Octave, which winds through the streets of the centre accompanied by hundreds of locals.
New in 2026: for the first time, the Procession of the Octave of the Virgen del Prado will be broadcast live on Municipal Television, so that those who cannot attend in person can follow the most important religious event of the festivities.
The grand finale of the Big Week comes on the night of 22 August, after the Procession of the Octave, with a big fireworks display at midnight around the La Granja Fairground. It is one of the most eagerly awaited and busiest moments of the whole programme, with thousands of people watching from different parts of the city.
Every edition brings changes from the previous year. These are the main new features of the Ciudad Real Fair and Festivities 2026.
For the first time, Municipal Television will broadcast the Solemn Procession of the Octave of the Virgen del Prado live on 22 August.
The programme for little ones is extended to five days this year, compared with previous editions.
The Paseo del Prado joins as a new daytime festive venue, strengthening the "daytime fair" offer for all audiences.
Dates: from Friday 14 to Saturday 22 August 2026
Occasion: Fair and Festivities in honour of the Virgen del Prado, patron saint of Ciudad Real
Opening: 14 August, 19:00 — opening speech by Laura Espinar Sánchez and Giants and Big-Heads parade
Featured concerts: Siloé, La Guardia, Antonio Orozco, Kream by Almava Ice and Pablo Alborán
Bullfights: main bullfight on 20 August at 19:30, with Víctor Puerto's farewell
Closing: 22 August — Procession of the Octave of the Virgen del Prado and fireworks at midnight
Total activities: almost 300, spread across the La Granja Fairground, Municipal Auditorium, La Talaverana and Paseo del Prado
Official programme: www.ciudadreal.es
The Ciudad Real Fair is a perfect plan for families with children. The fairground and the programme include activities designed specifically for little ones.
One of the fair days is dedicated especially to children, with reduced-price rides, children's shows, workshops and activities at the fairground. Check the official programme to confirm the exact date each year.
The La Granja Fairground has a large rides area with options for all ages: Ferris wheels, bumper cars, raffle stalls, candyfloss stands and mechanical rides for the youngest.
Go in the late afternoon or evening when the heat eases off (from 20:00). Bring plenty of water, sun protection if you go during the day, and locate the information point in case a child gets lost. Mornings are usually quieter and better for the youngest.
Parking is one of the most common questions during the festivities. These are the best options for leaving the car and enjoying the fair worry-free.
During the fair, free parking areas are set up on the outskirts of the city, with shuttle buses connecting to the fairground and the centre. It is the most convenient and recommended option.
The Ronda de la Mata, the area around Parque Gasset and the streets of nearby residential neighbourhoods usually have free spaces even on fair days. From there it is a 15–20 minute walk to the fairground.
