Over the years, the falla of Mancha Real has become an attractive tourist destination thanks to the uniqueness of a tradition that has earned it the designation of Andalusian Festival of Tourist Interest. Around this celebration, driven by the town's carpenters' guild, a wide range of cultural and sporting activities takes place, usually concluding with the “cremá” (burning).

 When talking about our town's festivities, everyone knows they go by one name: Virgen del Rosario, our patron saint.

Throughout the centuries, the history of Los Villares has gone hand in hand with devotion to the Santísima Virgen del Rosario. Our people have always felt her protection, her help. Many of the town's daughters are named «Rosario».

San Juan Bautista is the patron saint of Los Villariegos. His festival is held on 23, 24, 25 and 26 June.

Each year, following tradition, it is held in a different street of the town, decorating it and filling it with festive spirit and tradition.

Held since the 17th century, on the night of 1 February, around the traditional “candelas” made from olive-tree prunings, organised by each group of neighbours in their own district. Alongside these bonfires, there are games, songs and dances.

Fiesta Mayor, Fiesta Real or Feria Grande are all names referring to the same celebration: the Feria de los Cristos which, after several changes of date decided by public vote, is now held on the second-to-last Sunday of August. In Lopera, two crucified Christs are venerated: that of the Vera Cruz, known as the Cristo Grande, and that of the Humilladero, known as the Cristo Chico — names referring to the size of the two carved images. On the Sunday, the image of the Cristo Grande is carried in procession, the first to receive worship, whose brotherhood dates back to the 16th century; the following day comes the dawn celebration of the Cristo Chico, marked by rounds of blank shots fired at daybreak by the brotherhood's members. The religious festival closes on the Tuesday with the procession of the image of the Cristo del Humilladero, accompanied by its ceremonial guard, founded in the 18th century. Among this town's festivities — known for its amontillado wine — highlights include the greyhound race (a once-lost tradition now revived), the fighting of two young bulls each day, whose meat is sampled on the last day of the festival on the Paseo de Colón, and the lively atmosphere at the Caseta Municipal, where an open-air dance runs into the early hours.

The saint was named patron of Lopera in 1644. The festivities are held between 14 and 16 August, with the 16th as the main day. This day begins with a grand wake-up call performed by the Drum and Bugle Band. At the parish church, a religious service is held in honour of the patron saint, along with the blessing of bread rings to be handed out among the faithful. But what stands out most is that children light San Roque's way with lanterns made from watermelons and melons, previously hollowed out.

For six years now, Lopera has re-enacted one of the most important battles on the so-called Andalusian Front during the Spanish Civil War. This re-enactment features an extensive programme of activities combining history, culture, tourism and memory.

The Bandas de Cabecera (lead bands) are a distinctive feature that led, in 1998, to Holy Week in Linares being declared of National Tourist Interest.

Every year, on the first full moon of spring, Linares dresses itself in the Passion, Death and Resurrection.

Since time immemorial, the city has celebrated its Holy Week in a very special way; from Ash Wednesday onwards, the strong sense of brotherhood can be felt in every corner, with a wide range of activities such as exhibitions, band competitions, brotherhood gatherings and opening addresses.

Alongside this comes the popular sentiment that reaches its peak with the emotional impact of "la saeta", a simple form of singing capable of expressing feelings in their purest form.

Many brotherhoods work throughout the year to turn the city into an unforgettable place, filled with the scent of incense and wax as their Nazarenos, costaleros and horquilleros pass by. Moving moments are experienced every year during this week, when faith and devotion can be felt throughout the city's streets, showcasing religious carvings by prestigious sculptors such as Palma Burgos or Víctor de los Ríos.

Worth highlighting is the night from Holy Thursday to Good Friday, when Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, María Santísima del Mayor Dolor and San Juan Evangelista process. For centuries, Jesús Nazareno has blessed his people, as well as the fields, so that they might bear the expected fruit and yield an abundant harvest. He gives three blessings: on setting out, at the town hall in Linares, and on returning to the church.

The Feast of Santa Bárbara, patron saint of miners, aims to revive an old commemoration once held every 4 December in our city.

Every year, the Tourism and Historical Heritage departments of Linares Town Hall are pleased to invite everyone to this festival which, as in the past, brought together the mining community of both Linares and the rest of the Comarca Norte de Jaén: mine workers, business owners, engineers, students from the School of Mines, and students from the University Polytechnic School.

Timbermen from across the Mining District would come to compete in the famous contest awarding a prize for the best mine gallery entrance built in the shortest time. Each edition includes a demonstration of this now-vanished trade, once so important for keeping the mine galleries stable. Likewise, geology enthusiasts can admire genuine treasures from our Mother Earth at the Mineral Fair.

All of this is made possible thanks to groups and individuals who selflessly contribute to making these kinds of initiatives a reality, such as the celebration of this distinctive icon of our Intangible Heritage.

Every year, Linares holds its Royal Fair and Festivities during the last week of August, always coinciding with the feast of San Agustín on 28 August, and ending on 1 September.
The Linares fair is, without doubt, one of the most important in Spain for the quality of its theatrical shows, the calibre of the leading national and international musical performers, and the numerous competitions, sporting events, exhibitions and concerts organised.

The prestigious “Ciudad de Linares” National Tarantas Competition is held the week before, bringing the leading names in flamenco singing to the city. In addition, the bullfighting fair is one of the most important and well-known in the country. Its bullring has witnessed memorable afternoons in the history of bullfighting, such as the afternoon of 28 August 1947, when the great bullfighter Manuel Rodríguez “Manolete” was fatally gored.