SpainLife

🎡 From 17 to 26 July 2026, La Línea de la Concepción will celebrate the Velada y Fiestas de La Línea — the city’s main summer fair on the border with Gibraltar.

Ten days of music, evening walks, fairground rides, traditional casetas and the unmistakable atmosphere of an Andalusian summer. ✨

The heart of the celebration will be the Recinto Ferial, where the city will gather for concerts, dancing, family moments and long warm nights outdoors.

📅 The programme is already known.

On 17 July, the fair will open with a formal ceremony, an opening address by Ascensión Pero and a performance by singer Erika Leiva.

On 18 July, the main festive parade will take place, followed by the official switching-on of the fairground lights.

On 19 July, the city will celebrate Rociero Sunday, with a morning parade, Mass, horse parade and dancing in the Municipal Pavilion.

🏛 On 20 July, La Línea will mark the 156th anniversary of its foundation. The day will include an official address by Rubén García, a flag-raising ceremony, a children’s party, a bullfight at Plaza de Toros El Arenal and a concert by Requiebros.

The programme also includes performances by the Young Symphony Orchestra of La Línea, María por Bambino, Camelando, Álvaro García, Alba Dreid, Mariam “La Terremoto”, Los Enkalomaos and a closing concert by Antonio José on 26 July.

🎆 The festivities will end with fireworks launched from Santa Bárbara Beach.

For visitors, this is a chance to discover La Línea not only as a city next to Gibraltar, but as a proud Andalusian destination with its own traditions, music and summer spirit.

Dates and programme may change. We are not the organisers and are not responsible for cancellations, changes or rescheduling. Please check the latest information with the organisers before visiting.

🃏 The “Joker of Pamplona” became one of the most talked-about figures of San Fermín 2026 — but it was not his unusual appearance that caught the attention of the police.

With green hair, white face paint and a painted red smile, the young man appeared on the famous encierro route for several days. During the fifth bull run on 11 July, he ran close to the bulls, filmed himself on his phone and touched the animals.

📱 After the run, police identified him and recorded an administrative offence. Using a phone or any other recording device inside the route can lead to a fine ranging from €601 to €6,000.

Pamplona’s encierro regulations prohibit mobile phones, cameras and smart glasses on the route without special permission. The reason is clear: a runner distracted by filming may suddenly stop, fall or put other participants at risk.

👮 The man was identified as Lacey Mrzena, an American from Chicago known on social media as Straightdroplace. He said this was his first visit to San Fermín.

The following morning, he tried to enter the route again without the full makeup, but officers recognised him by his green hair and prevented him from joining the sixth bull run. Police made clear that the decision was not about his costume, but about his previous safety violations.

The case highlighted a growing problem in Pamplona: some runners treat the dangerous event as an opportunity to create dramatic content for social media. But chasing the perfect video can end with a heavy fine — or serious injuries.

🏠 In Girona, an apartment owner has been protesting outside city hall for more than a month.

The man says he voluntarily provided a furnished apartment to accommodate a family through a social rental programme. But when the agreement ended, he claims the property was returned without a significant part of its furniture.

According to the owner, the original inventory listed 23 items. However, an independent expert involved with the municipality reportedly recognised only seven as missing. Based on that assessment, he was offered compensation that he considers far too low.

📍 The protest is taking place outside Girona City Hall in Plaça del Vi. The owner appears wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and is demanding that the compensation be reviewed.

The dispute has already been discussed by Girona City Council. The man has also contacted the police, but no final decision has yet been announced.

Although the case concerns one apartment, it raises a wider question: how well protected are property owners who make their homes available for social housing programmes?

Private apartments are important for municipalities because public housing stock is often insufficient for families in urgent need. For owners, however, detailed inventories, proper damage assessments and reliable compensation guarantees are essential.

Do you think the local administration should be fully responsible for the condition of the apartment and its furniture after a social rental?