Weeks of punishing temperatures have dealt a heavy blow to one of Andalucia’s most treasured traditions, and local growers are now pleading for help before it’s too late.

What are raisin grapes and why do they matter here

Moscatel grapes grown across the Axarquia, are dried in the sun to produce Spain’s famous sun-dried raisin grapes, a variety quite different from the small, dark raisins found on British supermarket shelves. Whole, plump and intensely sweet, these grapes are laid out on woven mats until they shrivel naturally in the heat, a tradition passed down through generations of local families and central to the region’s food culture, tourism and rural economy.

Heat means devastating losses

Almachar’s mayor, Antonio Yuste Gamez, has written a formal letter to Laura Soto Garcia, the newly appointed territorial delegate for Andalucia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, warning that more than 60 per cent of this year’s raisin grape harvest has been lost. Extreme heat throughout July and August, with little relief even overnight, has left vines suffering severe water and thermal stress, according to the letter.

Grapes have failed to mature and dehydrate naturally as a result, sharply cutting both yield and quality compared with a typical season. Yuste has asked regional authorities to send technicians urgently to inspect the affected land, certify the damage and explore financial support or compensation schemes for struggling families.

A globally recognised crop under threat

Losses of this scale threaten more than just this year’s income. Raisin grape cultivation in the area holds Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System status, granted by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation, reflecting its cultural and historical value across generations. Farmers now face serious difficulty covering basic maintenance costs for vineyards that have supported local families for centuries.

Neighbouring villages are reporting similarly grim figures, with some vineyards elsewhere in the region facing losses of around 45 per cent of their moscatel grape production this year. Farming groups have called for an official damage assessment to determine what support might follow.

Growers demand action before autumn festivities

Initial forecasts for 2026 had actually pointed to a better season than 2025, making the sudden downturn even harder to accept for producers who depend heavily on late-summer conditions. Almachar is due to host its Ajoblanco Festival on September 2, a celebration that traditionally features the town’s raisin grapes, wine and produce, adding pressure on officials to respond quickly.

Farmers across the area say repeated heatwaves over recent weeks, combined with ongoing drought, have pushed an already fragile sector towards crisis, with many now waiting anxiously to see whether regional authorities will step in with financial relief.

Three days of music, dancing, horseback races and free food awaits anyone who fancies swapping the beach for a traditional Spanish village fiesta this weekend.

What’s happening and when

Periana is hosting its fun filled August Feria from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23. Events will run across the town hall marquee, that serves as the fair’s main hub, central to several other spots around the village, with something planned for almost every hour of the day. A pasacalles, a lively street parade led by the town band, kicks things off at 10am on Friday, followed by a children’s party at midday and free tastings of local zoque (a traditional Periana dish) with beer and saladitos, the small savoury snacks typically served with drinks, the perfect pairing. Anyone keen on tradition should head to Paseo Bellavista at 7pm for the Carrera de Cintas, a horseback ribbon race that has long been one of the main attractions of village fairs across the region.

Live music takes over after dark

Orquesta New Velada will play all three nights of the fair, providing the backbone of the evening entertainment from 11pm onwards. Saturday’s main event arrives at 1am, when Moncho Chavea takes to the stage. Born Ramon Velasco Jimenez, the Madrid-raised artist has built a huge following by fusing traditional flamenco with trap, reggaeton and urban rhythms, earning himself the nickname “El Rey del Trap Gitano”. Friday night belongs to La Banda del Pelicano at 1am, while Sunday closes with a heartfelt tribute to Manolo Garcia and El Ultimo de la Fila performed by IDEM, also at 1am. DJ sets from Jose Moreno and Salva Campos will keep dancers moving into the small hours.

Daytime treats for families and food lovers

As Saturday rolls in, so does the street foam party at 5.30pm, one of the peoples firm favourites, with some dancing thrown in with bachata and salsa lessons with Jose Dance. Free tastings continue each afternoon, with beer, cold meats and sangria on offer to be enjoyed while listening to the Charanga No Ni Na brass band. Sunday morning slows down to a gentler pace, featuring verdiales, a traditional style of Andalucian folk music and dance, performed by the Panda San Isidro de Periana, alongside copla singing from Alvaro Alcaidhe, a heartfelt and melodramatic Spanish song style often likened to a flamenco-tinged torch song, during the afternoon’s Fiesta de Mayores, a celebration for the village’s older residents, when Periana crowns its Fair Grandfather and Grandmother.

For those wanting a real taste of an Andalucian summer, head to the beautiful town of Periana for it’s August feria, for music, food and proper traditions.

Moclinejo gets ready for its biggest and hottest summer knees-up as the Feria in honour of San Bartolome rolls into town from August 21 to 23 under the banner “Una feria para todos” (a fair for everyone). Kids’ Day on Thursday, August 20 opens proceedings with fairground rides at knock-down prices, giving families an early taste of the fun.

Friday kicks off with royalty and copla

Friday, August 21 starts at 2.30pm with a special lunch for older residents and the crowning of the senior king and queen at Bar Restaurante Reyes (invitation only). Afternoon entertainment in Plaza España brings copla from Macarena Soto at 4.30pm, kids’ shows from Fiestas Increibles at 5.30pm, Zumba Fran and her dancers at 7.30pm, and the Ana Perez dance school at 8.30pm.

Orquesta Serva La Bari takes the stage from 10.30pm, with the election of the 2026 queen, maids of honour and mister at 12.15am, followed by Somos del Sur, DJ Javi Mendez and Grupo Versiones Contramismo keeping the party going into the small hours.

Saturday turns up the heat with foam and motorbikes

Saturday 22 August focuses on daytime feria. Free beer and tapas kick things off at 2pm for an hour, then Charanga “Y quiénes somos”, salsa and bachata from Cadencia Ache, a foam party, Javier Sanchidrian and DJ Dorao fill the afternoon. A motorbike ribbon race at the village entrance starts at 8pm (helmets compulsory, Moteros Moclinejo helping out). Orquesta Serva La Bari returns at night with more DJs and live acts until late.

Sunday goes full flamenco and tradition

Sunday, August 23 becomes Flamenco Day Fair in Plaza España. Dress up in flamenco gear for cash prizes (€50 for kids, €100 for adults). Panda de Verdiales de Moclinejo plays at 1.30pm, a big paella (€1, raising funds for a local charity) is served at 3pm, then Elisa Ariza and Jesus Martin plus Rociero Aires choir de la Axarquia perform. The procession of patron San Bartolome with Banda Nuestra Señora de Gracia leaves at 9pm, followed by the Salve from Raquel Framit. Night acts include Grupo Al Son de las Niñas, 5 D’Copas and more from the orchestra.

A mass for San Bartolome calms things down on Monday, August 24 at 8pm in the local church, with Aires de la Axarquia, brings the whole shebang to a close. This classic Axarquia white village fair mixes music, processions, family fun and local food.