Ronda Town Hall has confirmed the full programme for its annual Feria de Pedro Romero, marking the first year since the Plaza de Toros closed for repairs that bullfighting returns to the historic ring.

Six packed days of traditional festivities

Celebrations transform every corner of the historic mountain town from Tuesday, September 1 through to Sunday, September 6 2026. Official opening begins on Tuesday night at 8:30pm with a parade of colourful floats and marching bands setting off from Calle Jerez towards the fairgrounds for the main light switch-on.

Concert lovers can head down to the main marquee venue on Wednesday, September 2 at 11pm to catch Spanish artist Miguel Campello performing live. Horsey traditions will wow the crowds on Thursday afternoon at 3pm with the 17th Contest of Dress and Horse Tack, followed by ring events on Friday at 6pm with a novillada display, a bullfight for up-and-coming young matadors — fought without picadors.

Saturday, September 5 will host two ring events inside the historic Plaza de Toros. Horseback riding enthusiasts can watch the 42nd Corrida Rondeña de Rejones (bullfighting on horseback) at 11:30am, before top matadors Morante de la Puebla, Jose María Manzanares, and Juan Ortega feature at 6pm. Festival week comes to a close on Sunday, September 6 as the Carriage Exhibition heads down Calle Virgen de la Paz at 10am before entering the arena ring at midday. A controversial sport, but a deep, meaningful tradition for many in Spain.

Family fun, fairground rides, and central street parties

Its not all horse and bulls, during the daytime the city plazas will spring to life as outdoor venue terraces around Plaza del Socorro serve local wine, fresh cured ham, and fried tapas while spontaneous flamenco dancing fills paved walkways. Local ambassador women known as Damas Goyescas stroll through central avenues wearing traditional 18th-century dress throughout the week.

Children and thrill-seeking teenagers can head straight to the Angel Harillo fairgrounds, where a carnival zone opens every evening. Youngsters can enjoy bumper cars, mini rollercoasters, traditional carousels, and sweet stalls, while older kids ride high-flying attractions and a big wheel offering views across the town.

Travellers driving must budget extra time for delays, as local traffic officers will strictly enforce access controls around the Puente Nuevo bridge throughout the entire six-day fiesta.

Torremolinos has a treat waiting for anyone craving a taste of Italy without booking a flight, “Buon appetito”, as locals would say.

Trevi fountain or Torremolinos

Plaza de Toros de Torremolinos will swap bulls for bruschetta on August 27 and 28, when Little Italy Gastro Fest transforms the historic ring into a bustling Mediterranean piazza. Doors open from 7pm on both evenings and festivities run until close, giving visitors two full nights to soak up cocktails, live music and proper Italian cooking. Organisers GastronÓmico and Locamente are behind this exciting debut edition.

Nonnas build the menu

Food is the heart and soul of the event, and it comes courtesy of “la Nonna”, the festival’s hostess and self-appointed guardian of everyone’s appetite. Fresh pasta arrives in several formats with homemade sauces, paninis built on artisan focaccia and boards of Italian cheese and cured meats. Pizza al taglio, cut to order with rotating toppings, uses proper dough and imported Italian ingredients rather than anything mass-produced. A dedicated sweet corner, Dolce Italia, serves tiramisu, Sicilian cannoli and artisan Italian ice cream for anyone with room left after two courses. As any nonna worth her salt would insist: mangia, mangia!

Music, cocktails and a show worth staying for

Cocktails get their time to shine. El Aperitivo de Hugo pours Aperol Spritz, Campari, Italian vermouth and seasonal creations, marking the point where organisers say the evening “really begins”, or, as it might be put on the piazza, quando inizia la festa vera. Live Italian jazz sets the tone early on, before a show from Pink Chadora and her dancers brings comedy and energy to proceedings. Once the performance wraps, a DJ set carries the party on into the night, keeping glasses topped up and feet moving.

How can I attend this Italian event

Entry starts from €6, with free access for children under 12. Under-16s can attend accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult, provided they carry a signed parental authorisation form, available to download from the festival website. Those aged 16 and over may enter without an adult but still need that signed form plus valid ID on request. Given capacity restrictions, early-bird tickets have reportedly been moving fast, so booking ahead is worth considering, nobody wants to be left outside while everyone else tucks into their tiramisu.

How to win a trip to Rome

Every ticket purchased doubles as an entry into a prize draw for a trip to Rome for two, adding an extra incentive beyond the food and music. Between the slurping of the pasta, the feel of the piazza and the possibility of an Italian getaway, this is an event that you should let pass you by.