Almería: From Manila shawls to the traditional merienda

The 2026 Virgen del Mar Bullfighting Fair in Almería proves that the health of a bullfighting season is not measured by its size, but by the enduring strength of its identity. Two decades ago, the bullring on Avenida de Vílches hosted lengthy seasons that seemed to defy the calendar. Today, changing market conditions and new times have reduced the programme to three consecutive events from 27 to 29 August. However, under the management of Funtausa, a company linked to Casa Matilla, and championing the motto “returning to what we once were”, Almería retains an atmosphere that cannot be replicated in any other bullring in the world.

Manila Shawls and the Tradition That Makes Almería Bullring Unique

The secret of Almería lies in its unchanging social and aesthetic rituals: a collection of traditions that turn every afternoon into a living canvas. Before the first bull even appears, the Almería stands are dressed in their finest thanks to the Manila shawls, whose silk embroidery and flowing fringes adorn the railings of the boxes and balconies in a spectacular burst of colour, paying tribute to the most classic and elegant Andalusian tradition.

Its limestone architecture reflects the dazzling Mediterranean light and welcomes a highly discerning, mature and patient audience. Here, fans appreciate bullfighting with the cape, demand precision and value slowness and grace. After the third bull, time seems to stand still for the sacred ritual of the merienda, an unmissable institution in which the stands are transformed into makeshift dining rooms filled with local delicacies, Alpujarran cured meats, Spanish omelettes and good wine, all shared in a communal celebration that recharges the batteries of the bullring for the second half of the afternoon.