Every year, around 22nd and 23rd January, residents gather to honour their patron saint in a celebration that combines religious fervour, tradition and conviviality in the heart of nature.
The festivities begin with a mass in honour of Saint Vincent Martyr, celebrated in the parish church that bears his name. The following day, the community moves to the Dehesa Espina Municipal Recreation Area, where the pilgrimage takes place. This natural space becomes the epicentre of the celebration, welcoming residents and visitors in an atmosphere of joy and fraternity.
One of the most characteristic elements of the pilgrimage is the tostón con sardinas, a culinary tradition that brings attendees together around the candles. In addition, other typical dishes are sampled, such as spinach with chickpeas, scrambled eggs with tomato, fried doughnuts, pestiños and poleá. Live music and activities for all ages complete a day full of entertainment and local flavour.
The Villarrasa Must Festival, held every November in the Plaza de España, is one of the most emblematic festivities in the County of Huelva. This event pays tribute to must, a young wine traditionally fermented in chestnut or American oak barrels, which can be tasted 40 days after its production. With an alcohol content of between 9 and 12 degrees, mosto is characterised by its floral, citrus and fruity aromas and pleasant acidity.
During the celebration, the square is decorated to welcome locals and visitors who enjoy tapas at affordable prices, homemade sweets, music and, of course, good must. This festival is not only an opportunity to taste this young wine, but also to strengthen community ties and preserve the region’s wine-making traditions.
The Fair and Patron Saint Festivities in honour of Our Lady of Los Remedios are held every year in August. This festival combines religious devotion with recreational and cultural activities that attract both locals and visitors.
The celebrations begin on 15 August with the procession of the patron saint, the Virgin of Los Remedios, through the streets of the town in an act of profound devotion. Afterwards, various festivities take place at the fairgrounds, including musical performances, activities for children and sporting events.
During the fair, the fairgrounds are filled with stalls, lights and music, creating a festive atmosphere that invites people to get together and enjoy themselves. The evenings are enlivened by concerts and shows that offer entertainment for all ages.
Devotion to the Virgin of Los Remedios is deeply rooted in Villarrasa. Every year, the faithful actively participate in religious events, with the procession on 15 August being one of the most emotional moments of the festivities.
In short, the Fair and Patron Saint’s Day Festivities in honour of Our Lady of Los Remedios in Villarrasa is a celebration that combines tradition, faith and fun, establishing itself as an unmissable event in the town’s festive calendar.
The Patron Saint’s Day of Villarrasa is celebrated every 18 December in honour of Our Lady of Remedies, a festival deeply rooted in the tradition and devotion of the municipality. This day commemorates the apparition of the Virgin in 1503, when, according to tradition, a local resident named Pedro de la Cruz found the image with the message: ‘Here is your remedy’.
The celebration begins the night before with the transfer of the image from its chapel to the parish church of San Vicente Mártir, where a mass is celebrated. The next day, the Virgin is carried in procession through the streets of Villarrasa, accompanied by numerous faithful who express their faith and devotion.
The image of Our Lady of Remedies is a 16th-century polychrome carving, designed as a high relief, combining Renaissance and Gothic elements. It is venerated in the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies, a Baroque building notable for its bell gable and dome.
This celebration, deeply rooted in local tradition, stands out for its cultural and religious richness, becoming a living manifestation of the town’s intangible heritage each year. The celebration lasts throughout the month of May, involving residents, brotherhoods and visitors in an atmosphere of fervour, joy and beauty.
In Villarrasa, the month of May is symbolically divided into two halves, each presided over by a different cross: the Cruz del Campo, which takes centre stage during the first fortnight, and the Cruz de Arriba, which takes over during the second fortnight. Both crosses are carried in procession from the Church of Las Angustias, patron saint of the municipality, through the streets of the town, which are decorated for the occasion.
The origin of this festival dates back to popular agricultural and religious traditions that celebrated the arrival of spring, later linked to the symbolism of the Cross as a sign of faith, protection and fertility for the fields. The Cruces de Mayo have evolved to become a central element of Villarrasa’s identity, reflecting the devotion and active participation of the entire community.
During these celebrations, the streets of the town are transformed into a scene full of colour, music and tradition. Residents decorate their façades with flowers, shawls and ornamental elements, and various cultural, liturgical and festive events are organised around each cross. Among the most notable elements are the floral decorations on the crosses, which are richly decorated with handcrafted details, candlesticks, embroidery and natural flowers.
The Toro de Cuerda de Villalba del Alcor is one of the most unique, emblematic and deeply rooted bullfighting traditions in the province of Huelva. This festival, which has its roots in the 18th century and is closely linked to the arrival of the Carmelite community in the municipality, represents a unique cultural heritage that has been carefully preserved over the centuries.
The essence of this celebration lies in the controlled release of bulls through the streets of the town, where the animals’ movements are restricted by strong ropes, allowing direct but safe interaction between the bulls and the participants. This ancestral method guarantees both the excitement of the spectacle and the safety of all involved, combining tradition, respect for animals and popular entertainment.
Villalba del Alcor is currently the only municipality in the province of Huelva that keeps this ancient custom alive, making it a cultural and tourist landmark in the region. The festival takes place during the festivities in honour of the Virgin of Carmen, which are traditionally celebrated in August and September, and is one of the most eagerly awaited events for locals and visitors alike.
During the event, the bulls are released on a route through the main streets of the municipality. The runners, in a demonstration of skill and courage, challenge the animals, dodging them and skilfully escaping by climbing onto the railings and balconies of the houses. This dynamic interaction is the heart of the festival, creating an atmosphere charged with adrenaline and excitement.
The rope, which limits the movement of the bull, acts as a fundamental preventive measure. It allows the animal to be controlled and stopped if necessary, minimising risks and ensuring that the celebration takes place safely for participants and the attending public.
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel takes place annually between the last weekend of August and the first weekend of September. This festival brings together residents and visitors in an atmosphere of tradition and conviviality.
Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Villalba del Alcor dates back to the 17th century, coinciding with the founding of the Carmelite convent in 1618. Since then, this festival has been a fundamental pillar of the religious and cultural life of the municipality. The image of the Virgin of Carmen, carved by the sculptor Antonio Illanes in 1956, is venerated by the people of Villalba as a symbol of protection and faith.
The festival programme lasts for two consecutive weekends and includes religious, cultural and festive activities. The first weekend begins with the procession of the Queen and Ladies of Honour, followed by the release of the traditional bull with a rope through the streets of the municipality and culminating in a mass in honour of the Virgin in the convent, accompanied by a procession through the main streets.
During the second weekend, the image is transferred from the parish church to the convent. Likewise, during both weeks, the Popular Race is held, organised by the Town Council as part of the festivities.
This festival reflects the community spirit and devotion of Villalba del Alcor, where the streets are decorated with traditional decorations and the stalls offer a variety of food and leisure activities that reflect the rich local culture.
The Patron Saint’s Day celebrations in honour of Saint Agatha are one of the most significant celebrations in Villalba del Alcor. These festivities, which date back to the 14th century and have Castilian origins, are held around 5 February, the patron saint’s day, and last for several weeks with a programme that combines religious events, popular traditions and moments of conviviality.
Two weeks before Saint Agatha’s Day, the image of the saint is transferred from her chapel, located in the Llanos de Santa Águeda, to the Parish Church of San Bartolomé. During this period, a novena is celebrated in her honour, culminating in an emotional kissing of hands on the eve of her feast day.
5 February, the main day of the festival, begins with a floral dawn ceremony, followed by the Main Function of the Institute. In the afternoon, the image of Saint Agatha is carried in procession through the streets of Villalba del Alcor, accompanied by numerous faithful. During the procession, stops are made to honour the patron saint with fireworks, burning sticks and pyrotechnic displays. Before entering the church, in the church square, the traditional fireworks display takes place, and the bravest participate in the release of the fire bull.
A few days after the festival, the traditional Fiesta del Tostón is celebrated, coinciding with the return of the image of Santa Águeda to her chapel. After the formal ceremonies, families and groups of friends light bonfires in the Llanos de Santa Águeda to share the ‘tostón’, which consists of bread accompanied by sardines or cod, in an atmosphere of conviviality and celebration.
The Santa Águeda Fair, which dates back to the 14th century, is held annually during the second weekend of July in honour of Santa Águeda de Catania, patron saint of the town. This fair, which runs from Friday to Monday, takes place in the area known as the ‘Llanos de Santa Águeda’, an emblematic space for the Villalbera community.
On Friday, the festivities begin with the procession of the Queen and Ladies-in-Waiting, marking the official start of the celebrations. On Saturday, the traditional pilgrimage takes place, accompanied by the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Municipal Band, which parades through the main streets of the town. On Sunday, a mass is held in honour of the patron saint, followed by a triumphal procession through the fairgrounds, where the image of Santa Águeda is carried by the town’s inhabitants.
The Municipal Stand is open throughout the fair, offering a varied programme of musical performances and activities for all ages, creating a festive and convivial atmosphere.
The Santa Águeda Fair is a manifestation of the devotion and community spirit of Villalba del Alcor. During these days, the municipality is filled with colour and joy, with the active participation of residents and visitors in the various activities programmed. The streets are decorated with traditional decorations, and the marquees offer a wide range of gastronomic and leisure activities, reflecting the rich local culture.
The Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses) of Villalba del Alcor is one of the most emblematic and representative celebrations on the local festive calendar. This tradition, passed down from generation to generation, forms part of the municipality’s intangible heritage and reflects the collective sense of identity, faith and community that characterises the people of Villalba.
The festival takes place every weekend in May, during which time different neighbourhoods in the municipality are decorated to worship their respective crosses. Each of these celebrations has its own programme, organised by local brotherhoods and associations who, with great dedication, prepare religious events as well as cultural, musical and social activities.
During these days, Villalba del Alcor is transformed into a place of gathering and celebration, where neighbourhood participation takes centre stage. The streets are decorated with flowers, arches and altars, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere that invites residents and visitors alike to share in this expression of popular devotion. In addition, traditional elements such as the Toro de Cuerda (rope bull), the dianas floreadas (flower-covered reveilles) and the romerías (pilgrimages) contribute to enriching this unique experience, in which tradition and joy go hand in hand.
Thus, the Cruces de Mayo are not only a tribute to the Holy Cross, but also a living expression of the soul of Villalba, where religiosity, culture and hospitality intertwine in one of the most eagerly awaited celebrations of the year.
