Summer is almost here and so are the Region of Murcia's festivals, blending history, nature and culture with a great atmosphere.
Have a look at some of the season's most interesting suggestions, including musics and performers from throughout the world. Just choose your favourite one and take the chance of enjoying your best summer ever!
The first big international event is the San Javier International Jazz Festival. The festival's quality and history make it one of Spain's best jazz festivals. If you choose this option, you'll enjoy jazz summer evenings just a few minutes away from the sea.
Also in July, Cartagena's port is wide open to an endless number of musics, plastic arts, photography, cinema and literature. The La Mar de Músicas Festival takes place in the city. Very different styles will shake the foundations of old Carthage. Get ready to travel around the world thanks to its sounds.
The Lo Ferro Flamenco Singing Festival, one of the flamenco festivals in a great traditional atmosphere, is celebrated from in July. Flamenco concerts, recitals and performances can be enjoyed at the Lo Ferro Flamenco Singing Festival, including new and consummate artists as well as contestants.
In August, the highlight is the Cante de las Minas de La Unión Festival, one of the most important cante jondo and flamenco events in the world. Performances by flamenco prime examples will be combined with performances by candidates for the Lámpara Minera award. The art nouveau Old Public Market is a magical space that will be shared by both flamenco experts and non-experts.
Please sit down, the show is about to start. The Festival Internacional de Teatro, Música y Danza de San Javier brings together the best music, drama, dance and comedy.
In a region where parties are held every month of the year, it's more than likely that your visit will coincide with at least one of them, and if not, there is bound to be a festival. Music, theatre, dance... whatever takes your fancy, we have something for you.
In Murcia, the Holy Week typically conjures up images of light, diversity, passion and colour. Although it is celebrated differently in every city, there are only three which have been declared of International Touristic Interest: Cartagena, with its organized parades of the Californio and Marrajo brotherhoods, Lorca with its large theatrical productions and Pasos spectacular (street processions retelling the Passion of Christ), and Murcia with the beauty of its Salzillo sculptures and local produce. These are the most popular locations for the regions' celebrations.
Caballos del Vino is one of the most outstanding, yet deafening festivals in Spain. The sound of the horses galloping, the beauty of the embroidered cloaks, the music, and the thousands of people dressed in white and red, transform the city every 2nd of May. The race is considered the most important event within the Fiestas de la Vera Cruz de Caravaca, which also include Moorish and Christian celebrations. If you want to blend in like a true local, don't forget to wear a red handkerchief around your neck.
Murcia welcomes in the spring by hosting a variety of festivals and parties. The most important days, which have been declared of National Touristic Interest, are undoubtedly Bando de la Huerta which takes place on the Tuesday, and Entierro de la Sardina, on the Saturday. During Bando de la Huerta locals and visitors alike dress up in typical huertano costumes, (those historically associated with agricultural workers), and flock to the streets to make the most of the parties; the day culminates in a great traditional parade. The Entierro de la Sardina Festival sees dozens of floats filter through the streets distributing thousands of toys to all the children. A spectacular parade leads the floats, filling the streets with the magic of the Carnival and all of the incredible colourful outfits.
La Mar de Músicas Festival kick starts in Cartagena during July, featuring artists from every corner of the planet. Throughout more than two weeks the city celebrates the individuality of other cultures through their music, choosing a different guest country every year. The festivals' stages are strategically placed throughout the city, so you can not only enjoy the performances and culture, but do so with the most beautiful views of the Mediterranean.
In May, Murcia hosts WARM, considered one of the most popular festivals among young people in Spain. The show offers 48 hours of non-stop music and contemporary art, turning the La Fica showground each year into a multi-use space ready for some of the biggest acts to perform.
The International Jazz Festival, which takes place in San Javier each July, is considered to be one of the best jazz festivals in Spain. With performances from some of the biggest stars in the jazz world, concerts are held throughout the entire month. What better way to enjoy your summer than by experiencing the best music, live and in open air, just minutes away from the sea?
Every August the town of La Unión hosts one of the most important flamenco competitions in the world. Here, the most renowned dancers alternate their performances with those competing for the Lámpara Minera singing award, which descends upon the modernist setting of the Antiguo Mercado Público (Old Public Market) and the Agrupa Vicenta mine. It is a truly magical space to enjoy the show, as much for experts in the field, as for amateurs alike.
As if it were the set from a blockbuster movie, the Carthaginian and Roman Festival transforms this port city during the month of September into a spectacular scene from the Segunda Guerra Púnica. Throughout the year thousands of revellers plan the festival carefully, which consists of ship landings,
If you love to party, fireworks, fantasy, and fancy dress you cannot miss the Águilas Carnival. Experience some of the craziest days of your life at one of the most spectacular carnivals in Spain. The festival, declared of National Touristic Interest, invades the streets of the small town with fantasy, music, dance and quirky costumes for two weeks. It is particularly well known for the battle between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma, as well as the Cuerva (traditional fruit and alcohol based drink) contest. However, equally as special is its street procession; a seemingly never ending selection of groups take part in their colourful and spectacular carnival costumes.
La Purísima de Yecla Festival recreates an atmosphere that will transport you back to times of the 17th Century military shows. A deafening display of arquebus and drums announce the arrival of one hundred tiraores (shooters), kitted out in dress coats and bicornio (an archaic form of hat widely adopted in the 1790s by military and naval officers). This celebration, declared of National Touristic Interest, is steeped in more than 350 years of history and takes place every December in honour of the Virgen Del Castillo and appreciation for the safe return of all the people of Yecla who went to fight in the War of Succession.
In Murcia, the Holy Week typically conjures up images of light, diversity, passion and colour. Although it is celebrated differently in every city, there are only three which have been declared of International Touristic Interest: Cartagena, with its organized parades of the Californio and Marrajo brotherhoods, Lorca with its large theatrical productions and Pasos spectacular (street processions retelling the Passion of Christ), and Murcia with the beauty of its Salzillo sculptures and local produce. These are the most popular locations for the regions' celebrations.
Caballos del Vino is one of the most outstanding, yet deafening festivals in Spain. The sound of the horses galloping, the beauty of the embroidered cloaks, the music, and the thousands of people dressed in white and red, transform the city every 2nd of May. The race is considered the most important event within the Fiestas de la Vera Cruz de Caravaca, which also include Moorish and Christian celebrations. If you want to blend in like a true local, don't forget to wear a red handkerchief around your neck.
Murcia welcomes in the spring by hosting a variety of festivals and parties. The most important days, which have been declared of National Touristic Interest, are undoubtedly Bando de la Huerta which takes place on the Tuesday, and Entierro de la Sardina, on the Saturday. During Bando de la Huerta locals and visitors alike dress up in typical huertano costumes, (those historically associated with agricultural workers), and flock to the streets to make the most of the parties; the day culminates in a great traditional parade. The Entierro de la Sardina Festival sees dozens of floats filter through the streets distributing thousands of toys to all the children. A spectacular parade leads the floats, filling the streets with the magic of the Carnival and all of the incredible colourful outfits.
La Mar de Músicas Festival kick starts in Cartagena during July, featuring artists from every corner of the planet. Throughout more than two weeks the city celebrates the individuality of other cultures through their music, choosing a different guest country every year. The festivals' stages are strategically placed throughout the city, so you can not only enjoy the performances and culture, but do so with the most beautiful views of the Mediterranean.
In May, Murcia hosts WARM, considered one of the most popular festivals among young people in Spain. The show offers 48 hours of non-stop music and contemporary art, turning the La Fica showground each year into a multi-use space ready for some of the biggest acts to perform.
The International Jazz Festival, which takes place in San Javier each July, is considered to be one of the best jazz festivals in Spain. With performances from some of the biggest stars in the jazz world, concerts are held throughout the entire month. What better way to enjoy your summer than by experiencing the best music, live and in open air, just minutes away from the sea?
Every August the town of La Unión hosts one of the most important flamenco competitions in the world. Here, the most renowned dancers alternate their performances with those competing for the Lámpara Minera singing award, which descends upon the modernist setting of the Antiguo Mercado Público (Old Public Market) and the Agrupa Vicenta mine. It is a truly magical space to enjoy the show, as much for experts in the field, as for amateurs alike.
As if it were the set from a blockbuster movie, the Carthaginian and Roman Festival transforms this port city during the month of September into a spectacular scene from the Segunda Guerra Púnica. Throughout the year thousands of revellers plan the festival carefully, which consists of ship landings,
If you love to party, fireworks, fantasy, and fancy dress you cannot miss the Águilas Carnival. Experience some of the craziest days of your life at one of the most spectacular carnivals in Spain. The festival, declared of National Touristic Interest, invades the streets of the small town with fantasy, music, dance and quirky costumes for two weeks. It is particularly well known for the battle between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma, as well as the Cuerva (traditional fruit and alcohol based drink) contest. However, equally as special is its street procession; a seemingly never ending selection of groups take part in their colourful and spectacular carnival costumes.
La Purísima de Yecla Festival recreates an atmosphere that will transport you back to times of the 17th Century military shows. A deafening display of arquebus and drums announce the arrival of one hundred tiraores (shooters), kitted out in dress coats and bicornio (an archaic form of hat widely adopted in the 1790s by military and naval officers). This celebration, declared of National Touristic Interest, is steeped in more than 350 years of history and takes place every December in honour of the Virgen Del Castillo and appreciation for the safe return of all the people of Yecla who went to fight in the War of Succession.
