Herencia already knows its Honor Court for the 2026 Fair and Festivals.

The 2026 Herencia Fair and Festival has its Honor Court selected. The La Labradora neighborhood hosted its official presentation and the traditional drawing of roles, marking the beginning of the countdown to the La Merced festivities, which will take place from September 23 to 27 this year.

Key Highlights of the Honor Court and the Herencia Fair in 20 Seconds

• The Honor Court for the 2026 Herencia Fair and Festival has been officially presented.
• The five members have assigned roles for the celebrations.
• The Fair will be held from September 23 to 27, with the 24th as the feast day of Our Lady of Mercedes.
• The pre-festival will feature Álvaro García and Pica-Pica.

The presentation occurred during the festivities of the La Labradora Neighborhood in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption. Despite some rain and wind leading up to the event, many residents attended to support the young honorees and their sponsors.

The evening also included the introduction of the Children’s Ladies of the Virgin of La Labradora and concluded with a musical performance by the Duo Yomaje.

Five Young People and Five Moments of the Fair

One of the central moments of the night was the traditional draw to assign roles to each member of the Honor Court during the upcoming festivities.

Yanira Glez. de la Rosa will perform the inaugural chupinazo, marking the official start of the celebrations.

Joaquina Fdez. de la Rosa will take part in the inauguration of the fairgrounds, while Mario Nicolás Dragosin will be responsible for the fireworks display.

Additionally, Valentina Bindea will handle the opening of the Honor Court and the floral offering, and Gonzalo Gª-Miguel will lead the traditional grape stomping during the Grape Harvest Festival.

With these role assignments, the 2026 Herencia Fair begins to take shape, especially as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of the Virgin of the Mercedes, which will be celebrated during the patronal festivities.

The main celebration will once again be on Thursday, September 24, the feast day of Our Lady of Mercedes. The complete program of events is yet to be announced, so attendees will need to wait for the traditional fair book to learn all the schedules and activities.

However, the general dates are confirmed: the Fair and Festival will run from Wednesday, September 23 to Sunday, September 27.

On September 23, the awards for the 43rd National Painting Contest Jesus Madero are also scheduled to coincide with the inaugural day.

The Pre-Fair Will Begin with Music and Family Activities

Herencia won’t have to wait until the 23rd to start enjoying the festive atmosphere. The previous weekend will bring one of the first events of the 2026 Pre-Fair.

On Saturday, September 19, the Municipal Pavilion will host a concert by Álvaro García. Doors will open at 21:00, and the performance will start at midnight.

The programming will continue after the concert with a party featuring Xule García and Los Primos, extending one of the first major musical nights leading up to La Merced.

The following day will cater to a different audience. On Sunday, September 20, Pica-Pica will perform a show specially designed for children and families in Herencia.

Doors to the Municipal Pavilion will open at 17:00, with the show set to start at 18:30.

These are just some of the first known activities in a schedule that will continue to grow as September approaches.

A Fair with Over Two Centuries of History

The current celebration has a history that explains why September holds such an important place on the Herencia calendar.

The origin of the Herencia Fair dates back to 1825, when Ferdinand VII granted the town the privilege of holding an annual fair. That first fair primarily focused on commerce and livestock and was initially held in August.

Conflicts with agricultural work led to its rescheduling to September. This change also allowed for the gradual link to the feast of Our Lady of Mercedes, which was officially ratified by Royal Order in 1884.

Two centuries later, that fair has evolved into a celebration that blends religious events, music, cultural and sports activities, children’s proposals, gastronomy, and gatherings of associations and groups.

These days are especially significant for those living away from Herencia, as many return during La Merced to reconnect with family and friends.

For visitors, the festivities also provide an opportunity to explore other aspects of the municipality. The windmills, Plaza de España, urban areas, and the Convent of Our Lady of Mercedes enhance a stay in the town beyond the scheduled activities.

Manchego cuisine has its place during these days, featuring dishes such as gachas and migas, pisto, asadillo, duelos and quebrantos, and Manchego cheese.

The presentation of the Honor Court has served as one of the first visible signs of the countdown. In the coming weeks, more details will be revealed as the 2026 Herencia Fair and Festival program is completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Herencia Fair?

The Herencia Fair and Festival will take place from Wednesday, September 23 to Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Who makes up the Honor Court for the 2026 Herencia Fair?

The Honor Court consists of Yanira Glez. de la Rosa, Joaquina Fdez. de la Rosa, Mario Nicolás Dragosin, Valentina Bindea, and Gonzalo Gª-Miguel, each with an assigned role during the festivities.

What concerts and shows are confirmed?

Among the first known events of the Pre-Fair are Álvaro García’s concert on September 19 and a children’s performance by Pica-Pica on Sunday, September 20.

When will the complete program for the Herencia Fair be available?

The complete program is still pending presentation. More activities will be unveiled with the publication of the official program or book for the 2026 Fair and Festival.

Video from the Town Hall.