Discover the town that celebrates summer with candles, music, sports and queimada

On Saturday, June 21, Socuéllamos , a municipality in Ciudad Real located in the heart of La Mancha (about two hours from Madrid or Valencia), celebrates 'Socuéllamos en vela ', a cultural and festive event in its second edition to commemorate the summer solstice with activities ranging from live music to a night race .

Popularly known as the 'city of wines and towers,' with 27,000 hectares of vineyards, a key sector in the municipality, and the Torre del Vino Museum , the city will host activities that combine heritage, spirituality, and sport with the aim of promoting wine tourism and La Mancha culture.

Everything revolves around the purifying fire, which, in exchange for offerings that end up turned into ash, offers the promise of a good harvest. The excitement on the night of June 21st begins at 10:00 p.m. when live music concerts featuring two local groups will begin in the Plaza de la Constitución and the Adolfo Suárez Municipal Park , filling the entire town center.

Anyone who wishes can also participate in the " burning of wishes," a ritual with Galician roots in which spells are cast on the spirits of the night to ward off bad omens, while preparing this drink made from orujo (pomace), coffee beans, and fruit. According to legend, this "potion" frees one from evil and accompanies the burning of wishes in the fire, thus ensuring the certainty that they will come true.

In addition, from 9:00 p.m., candlelight will guide the steps of all who come to experience this night. Throughout the day , the town center of Socuéllamos (Plaza de la Constitución, Paseo Cervantes, and Adolfo Suárez Municipal Park) will turn off its streetlights and transform into a candlelit path , in a commitment to recovering the essence of slow living (a trend known as 'slow life') and connection with the earth. Bars, terraces, and emblematic corners of the town will be decorated with candles, creating a unique atmosphere that combines spirituality, local culture, and hospitality.

Coinciding with the event, the twenty-first edition of the '10K Socuéllamos' nighttime urban race will also be held, a sporting event already established in the regional calendar that seeks to integrate sport and wine tourism into a single experiential setting.

Organized by the Athletics Club 'Carrera Popular 10K', in collaboration with the city council, it features athletes from all over Spain, and, in addition to a cash prize, the winner will receive a gift of local products.

The latest edition of the race brought together more than 650 adult runners and 300 children in the children's version. Participants and visitors will also be able to enjoy a complementary program with winery visits, tastings, and cultural activities related to wine , including tours of the Torre del Vino Museum , an interactive space where they can discover and experience this important product for the region.

The building, which housed the old railway station, is crowned by an eleven-story Observation Tower that allows visitors to enjoy the landscapes of La Mancha. In fact, the Puerta de Sol (sun gates) from this location are very famous.

Also essential is the Church of the Assumption , a Gothic-Mudejar building notable for its imposing tower; the Casa de la Encomienda or Casa de los Mendoza , a building notable both for its architecture and for its residents; and the old town hall .