The Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, announced on 22nd June that the funfair would return to its traditional location in the port area by mid-July, specifically timing it for the Virgen del Carmen festival. However, this target date has passed without the move taking place. Currently, the local governing team has not provided a updated schedule for the return, leaving over eighty small fairground businesses operating from their temporary venue at Antonio Soria Park on the outskirts of the town centre, where they have been situated since the port redevelopment began in the summer of 2023.
Fairground operators are keen to move back to the seafront site, which spans the former fair area and the Paseo de la Libertad. The new esplanade is set to feature upgraded electrical connections, sanitation, and water infrastructure designed to support the heavy rides. Sources among the operators suggest the municipal council intends for the move to occur in September before their temporary summer permit expires at the end of October, though no official confirmation has been issued. A small minority of stallholders have suggested remaining at Antonio Soria Park for the rest of the summer to avoid disruption during peak season.
The delay in the project timeline stems from several factors. The Generalitat authorisation to open the new road connecting the port to Marina Salinas was delayed by over two weeks after construction finished, eventually opening on 19th July. Additionally, high summer temperatures slowed the pace of work for contractor Abala (Grupo Hozono Global), delaying the completion of the paving and redevelopment of the main esplanade.
In the short term, fairground operators are seeking permission to remain open at Antonio Soria Park during the upcoming Low Festival weekend, one of their busiest trading periods. However, continuing operations appears unlikely. While individual attractions hold safety validations from an Authorized Control Body (OCA), the overall temporary approval for the fairground site is technically incompatible with the festival, which expects around 15,000 daily visitors across four nearby stages. Municipal departments are reviewing the application, but municipal technical and political authorities require full safety and evacuation reports before granting permission to operate alongside the event.
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