43rd Olive Festival

Name: 43rd Olive Festival
Start: 2026-12-04
End: 2026-12-08

Description

The Olive Festival of Martos, organised by the town's Town Hall, has been held for more than 30 years. It is a popular commemoration aimed at paying tribute to the town's olive pickers, both men and women. It is held every year on 8 December, the official start date of the olive-harvesting season.

Various cultural events are organised as part of the Olive Festival. On the 8th, following the official reception of local authorities at the Town Hall, a well-known public figure delivers the Festival's opening address; afterwards, a floral offering is made at the Monument to the Olive Pickers, a bronze sculptural group created by Constantino Unghetti and unveiled in 1982, depicting two olive-picker figures, a man and a woman, alongside an olive press and roller.

This is followed by a communal "hoyo aceitunero" (bread, oil, salt cod and olives), while the master millers of Martos extract, at the town's fairground, the year's first oil using a manual screw press. A trade fair dedicated to the olive grove is also held, showcasing the latest innovations.

In the days before and after the celebration, other parallel activities are organised, such as photography exhibitions, concerts, photography competitions, literary gatherings, sporting activities, and even a flamenco evening dedicated to olive growers at the Peña Flamenca de Martos, or a workshop on making esparto baskets.