Picture perfect Periana is about to hold its annual August Feria and everyone is invited.

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.