Originally this event was a livestock fair, but over time it evolved into a festival with great popular participation. It is held in honour of the Virgin of the Plains and has a varied programme: concerts, theatre plays, street parties, activities for children, parades, bullfights, sporting competitions, among other events. The celebrations are kicked off with the Opening Horse Parade, a colourful parade of floats in which numerous groups, brass bands and music bands take part and where people come out dressed in the typical Manchego costumes. This grand parade can last for several hours. Another emblematic act is the floral offering to the patron saint.
The festive atmosphere concentrates in the exhibition venue and its surroundings. Due to its special shape, this space is known as the “ring” or the “frying pan”. Built in the 18th century, it is made up of three concentric circles and a longitudinal walkway used to access them. Visitors will find a beautiful modernist pavilion in the centre of the “frying pan”, with plenty of stalls of all kinds around: food and drink, traditional craftwork from Albacete, toys, clothes, jewellery, and much more. The stalls are open all day, until dawn; and in many of them you can drink cider with miguelitos, a truly delicious typical sweet from the area. During the day, you can also enjoy the horse and carriage parades.There are many children's attractions along the promenade, where the popular charity raffle is held every year. Outside the Exhibition Venue, in the surrounding area, visitors will find more stalls, in addition to the music tents where concerts are held. However, the most impressive thing about the Albacete Fair is its massive nature: The Exhibition Venue is full of people eager to enjoy themselves and have fun, at any hour, both day and night.
