Oropesa del Mar Celebrates Paella Day with Thousands of Participants

The gastronomic festival brings together residents and visitors in an atmosphere of community and popular celebration.

Generic image of a lively street during a popular festival in the Valencian Community, with tables in the street, cooking smoke, and festive decorations.
AI

Generic image of a lively street during a popular festival in the Valencian Community, with tables in the street, cooking smoke, and festive decorations.

Oropesa del Mar brought together thousands of residents and visitors this Monday for the traditional Paella Day, one of the most popular events of the Patron Saint Festivals honoring the Virgen de la Paciencia, transforming the town center into a large meeting point.

The celebration, which moved a significant part of the festive activity to Plaza España and its surroundings, saw local groups and friends share a day where gastronomy serves as an excuse to reconnect. From early morning, Torreblanca street was the hub of activity around the cooking fires, with the aroma of wood and paellas being prepared outdoors, an iconic image of the October festivities.
The Oropesa del Mar City Council also prepared a large paella for 1,200 diners, served on Laura de Cervellón street, for those not participating in local groups. The day demonstrated its intergenerational character, combining gastronomic gatherings with children's activities and games around the City Council, as well as leisure options like the mechanical bull and "Escala Birres," accompanied by music.
The Queens of the 2026 Festivals, Elena Tirado Traver and Ariadna Teixeira Romeu, along with their courts of honor and festival participants, joined the celebration. The regional secretary of Institutional Policy and Territorial Cohesion of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Gil, also attended. The day will culminate with the traditional Cena de Sobaquillo (bring-your-own-food dinner) in Plaza España, maintaining the community atmosphere.
The Councilor for Festivals, David Juárez, highlighted the municipality's gathering around this tradition, while the mayor, Rafael Albert, thanked Carlos Gil for his visit and expressed satisfaction in seeing the residents and visitors enjoy themselves.
Based on information from the official source: Ajuntament d'Orpesa (15/10/2026)