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ARCHIVED - 13th December to 6th January, Christmas, New Year and Three Kings in the city of Murcia 2019-20
Dozens of free concerts and plenty of events by the cathedral and in Plaza Circular in the weeks before the eagerly awaited arrival of the Three Kings
Christmas in the city of Murcia is a vast affair, with hundreds of different activities taking place in not only the city centre but also in outlying districts. What follows below is an outline of the main non-language specific events in the 2019-20 schedule in the city centre only, and for those spending time in the city centre a stop-off in the tourist office in Plaza Belluga next to the cathedral is a good place to pick up a map and the full Christmas programme.
From here it's just a few metres to the Town Hall “Belén” (nativity scene) in the Palacio Episcopal, and most of the main Christmas sights are within an easy walk from here.
Opening times at the “Belén” are Monday to Friday 9.00-13.30 and 17.00-22.00, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10.00-13.30 and 17.00-22.00, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 9.00-13.30. The nativity is open until January 6th.
Nativity scenes are an essential element of any Murcian festive celebration and visiting a belén or two is a "must-see" part of a visit to the city at Christmas.
There is another lovely “Belén” behind the Cathedral in the Conjunto Monumental San Juan de Díos, the “Belén de la Pava”, as well as many more in different parts of the city. This opens on the 18th December.
A Christmas market is located in the Glorieta de España in front of the Town Hall, although this is not a large-scale event as seen in many European cities and opens on the 14th December.
After visiting the belén, stroll up the main shopping streets of the old quarter to the left of the cathedral, past the Casino and into Plaza Santo Domingo; traditional seasonal sweets can be seen in the windows of the pastelerías under the decorations.
Following the arrival of father Christmas on the 22nd December Santa's grotto opens in calle Basabé which is off Plaza Santo Domingo (11.00 to 13.30 and 17.00 to 20.00). From here, walk straight on to the Muestra de Artesania Christmas Artisans’ Fair in Paseo Alfonso X, and then on to the hive of activity around the monumental Christmas tree in Plaza Circular. This area is the focal point for children's activities and every day there are workshops and concerts.
Plaza Circular: the main focal point of events with giant Christmas Tree.
The main activity area for families is around the 40-metre tree in the Plaza Circular. This area is the focal point for children's activities and every day there are workshops and concerts as well as concerts and light and sound shows. In addition, there is a Royal Postbox into which children can deliver their letters to the Three Kings. Workshops are all free and no booking is required, although all workshops are in Spanish. The main Christmas programme is also only in Spanish and can be collected from the tourist office by Spanish speakers interested in chilren's activities of this nature. Click for map: Plaza Circular Murcia
Muestra de Artesania: open daily until 5th January
Another main event is the annual artisan fair on Avenida Alfonso X El Sabio, between Plaza Santo Domingo and just metres from the Plaza Circular, where 70 Murciano artists sell a huge range of hand-made goods until 5th January.
The stalls are open until the 5th January morning and evening with the exception of the 24th and 31st December when they close in the evenings and the 25th December and 1st January when they are closed completely.
The artisan market is open from 11.00 to 14.00 and from 17.00 to 21.00.
Date-specific activities (the following is a selection, the full program in Spanish can be viewed here):
Saturday 7th December
18.30: The lights are switched on at the large tree in Plaza Circular, and again there are numerous concerts in public squares after the star turn at the ceremony is the singer Chenoa: click for full details. For the next few weeks one of the features is a charity collection point where children can donate toys to other youngsters in the municipality, in return for which they will be rewarded with a chocolate doubloon!
Every day from 13th December to 4th January there are workshops for children between 11.30 and 14.00 and from 17.00 to 19.30, and various choral performances are scheduled, usually at 18.00 and 20.15.
Sunday 8th December
17.30: The Town Hall nativity scene is presented in the Palacio Episcopal next to the cathedral with a concert offered by the junior section of the Coral Discantus choir. Opening times at the “Belén” are Monday to Friday 9.00-13.30 and 17.00-22.00, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10.00-13.30 and 17.00-22.00, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 9.00-13.30.
19.00: Free concert by the “Auroros” of Javalí Viejo at the Espacio Molinos del Río Caballerizas venue on the south bank of the river.
Wednesday 11th December
17:30. The choir of Ntra. Sra. de Cortes de Nonduermas performs at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
Thursday 12th December
17:30 The school choir Coro IES Aljada performs at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
Friday 13th December
The Playmobil nativity scene opens at the Centro Cultural Las Claras and can be seen until 5th January.
18:00.The choir Coro Cristo Crucificado Villa Pilar performs at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular..
20.15. Coral San Buenaventura performs at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
Saturday 14th December
10.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 onwards: Solidarity market around the tree in Plaza Circular.
12.00, 13.00, 17.00 and 18.00: Circus festival events in the Jardín de la Fama.
12.30 and 17.00: Circus festival in the Cuartel de la Artillería.
17.00: The main Christmas market opens in the Glorieta de España by the river. Throughout the duration of the market (until 3rd January) there are video mapping events at 18.30 and 20.30.
19.00: Video mapping and live entertainment in the Glorieta.
20.00: Music from the “Plectrum Orchestra” of Puente Tocinos at the nativity scene in the Palacio Episcopal.
17.30 and 20.15: Flamenco Christmas music in the Plaza Circular.
Sunday 15th December
10.30: Various choirs perform in the Plaza Belluga.
10.30 to 17.00: An international street market with food and artisans from all over the world in paseo Escultor González Moreno, next to the river.
12.00, 12.30 and 13.00: The circus festival continues in the Cuartel de Artillería and Jardín de la Fama.
19:00 to 20:00 and then again from 20:15 to 20:00. The choir of the Federación de Peñas Huertanas performs traditional Murcian carols at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
Monday 16th December
19.00: The choir of the Colegio San Buenaventura perform at the nativity scene in the Palacio Episcopal.
17.30: The school choir Coro CEIP El Carmen performs at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
20.15: The choir Coro de Churra performs at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
Tuesday 17th December
18.00: The choir Coro CEIP IES Beniaján performs at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
19.30: The Auroros of Javalí VIejo perform at the Molinos del Río Caballerizas venue next to the river.
20.15: The Coral Alfonso X choir offer a free concert in the Plaza Circular.
21.00: Free concert by Rix y Consz at the Christmas market in the Glorieta de España.
Wednesday 18th December
18.00: The choir Coro Santa María de la Paz. Jesuitinas performs at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
20.00: Traditional music and dancing by La Peña el Caliche at the Town Hall nativity scene in the Palacio Episcopal.
21.00: The opening of the “Belén de la Pava” in the church of San Juan de Dios.
Thursday 19th December
20.00: “Suenan los Órganos”, a free organ concert featuring Lucie Zakova in the Iglesia del Carmen.
20.00: Traditional music and dancing by the Virgen de la Vega group at the Town Hall nativity scene in the Palacio Episcopal.
18.00: The choir Coro CEIP Luis Costa performs at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
20.15: The choir Coral Universitaria performs at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
Friday 20th December
20.00: “Con Dulce Armonía”, Renaissance Christmas songs at the Museo de la Ciudad.
20.00: Navidad en el Museo, a free Christmas concert featuring the Cuarteto Almus at the Museo Ramón Gaya.
20:15. Radiopop perform at Plaza Circular.
19.30: Christmas Rock, more free music in the Plaza Belluga outside the cathedral.
21:00. Free entry performance of Handel's Messiah in Murcia cathedral featuring the UCAM Symphonic Orchestra.
Saturday 21st December
13:00 The university section of the choir Doral Discantus perform at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
17.00 to 21.00: La Calle Salsa, visitors in Paseo Alfonso X are invited to join in salsa dancing in the street!
18.00: Father Christmas arrives in the Plaza de Belluga to be greeted with a spectacular show. He then moves on to Calle Basabé, next to Plaza Santo Domingo, where he is setting up home until Christmas Eve. Be warned, there are thousands of children at this event and parking can be challenging!
20:15. Ciudad canalla at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
Sunday 22nd December
13.00: Typical Christmas “cocido con pelotas” (turkey meatballs in broth) is served to raise money for charity in the Plaza Santo Domingo – 2.50 euros per dish, drink included.
13:00. The choir and band of the Orfeón Fernández Caballero (infant and junior sections) at the Christmas tree in Plaza Circular.
17.00 to 21.00: Christmas tango party in Paseo Alfonso X, visited are invited to join in the dancing in the street!
17.30: Father Christmas parades through the district of San Antón, starting in Calle Abderráhaman II and finishing in Plaza Academia General del Aire.
20.00: The Red Velvet, a free Christmas show in the Plaza Belluga.
20.15: Flamenco singer Curro Piñana in the Plaza Circular.
Monday 23rd December
17.30: The choir of the Centro Concertado La Flota in the Plaza Circular.
20.00: The young musicians of Cabezo de Torres perform music from the movies in the Plaza Belluga.
20.15: Christmas Crooner concert in the Plaza Circular.
Tuesday 24th December
12.00: Father Christmas begins his grand parade through the streets of the city before taking a siesta in preparation for his long night’s work. Route: Calle Proclamación, Sacerdotes Hermanos Cerón, Alameda de Colón, Av. Canalejas, Puente Viejo, Pza. Martínez Tornel, C/ Tomás Maestre, Glorieta de España, C/ Arenal, Cardenal Belluga, Pza. Apóstoles, Isidoro de la Cierva, Pza Cetina, Alejandro Séiquer, Plaza Santo Domingo, C/ Santa Clara, Teatro Romea.
18.00 and 19.00: Sones Navideños, a musical toast to Christmas in the Plaza Belluga.
Wednesday 25th December
11.00 to 13.00 and 16.00 to 19.00: The living nativity scene (Belén Viviente) opens in Vereda de la Torre, one of the country roads outside Murcia close to the small town of El Raal.
18.00 and 19.00: Sones Navideños, a musical toast to Christmas in the Plaza Belluga, fragments of opera and popular international songs.
20.15: Christmas Opera in the Plaza Circular.
Thursday 26th December
Friday 27th December
20.00: Los Parrandboleros perform a selection of Christmas songs in their own inimitable style in the Plaza Belluga (free of charge).
20.00: Traditional music from the Rondalla de la Virgen del Rosario de Javalí Viejo at the nativity scene in the Palacio Episcopal.
20.15: Animal Christmas Sound in the Plaza Circular.
Saturday 28th December
20.00: Flamenco Christmas music in the Plaza Belluga (free of charge).
20.00: The choir of the church of San Benito perform at the nativity scene in the Palacio Episcopal.
20:15. Al Dual in concert in the Plaza Circular.
Sunday 29th December
20.00: Trovando por Navidad, free troubadour-style concert in the Plaza Belluga.
20:15 Rock guitarist Santi Campillo performs in the Plaza Circular.
Monday 30th December
20.00: Free concert in the Plaza Belluga, B-Vocal offer an “A Capella Christmas”.
Tuesday 31st December
13.00: Children's New Year's party in the Plaza Circular.
17.00: The traditional New Year’s run starts and finishes in the Glorieta de España and is held over a 6.8-kilometre course in the city.
Midnight: Bring in the New Year in the Glorieta de España with DJs providing the music after the clock strikes 12.
Wednesday 1st January
19.00: Fireworks and music on the riverside walk alongside the River Segura, under the title of “2020: Un Año Para Comérselo”.
Thursday 2nd January
17.00 to 21.00: Children’s entertainment with the Royal Postmen of the Three Kings in the Jardín de la Seda (free of charge).
20.00: Traditional music and dancing by the Francisco Salzillo group at the nativity scene in the Palacio Episcopal.
21.00: Free Komorebi concert in the Glorieta.
Friday 3rd January
11.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.00: Free half-hour pedal kart rides along the riverside path for children and adults. Information at Muvit - click here for map.
17.00 to 21.00: The free activities and entertainment for children with the Royal Postmen of the Three Kings in the Jardín de la Seda.
18.00: A New Year’s concert by the Ciudad de Murcia Youth Orchestra at the Salón de Actos of the CAM (to raise funds for the Jesús Abandonado charity).
19.00 and 20.00: 7Art, a spectacular laser show in the Plaza Belluga.
20.00: Free Christmas carols in the Museo Ramón Gaya.
Saturday 4th January
19.00 and 20.00: The 7Art laser show returns to the Plaza Belluga.
20.00: The Region of Murcia Symphony Orchestra’s New Year concert at the Auditorio Víctor Villegas: click here for more information.
20.15: Opera for the New Year in the Plaza Circular.
Sunday 5th January
10.00: 3,000 portions of the traditional “Roscón de Reyes” cake are available for members of the public in the Glorieta de España.
11.00: Free children’s musical, “Imagilandia Esperando a los Reyes Magos, in the Glorieta de España.
10.00: A charity Three Kings parade in the city. Route: Plaza de la Candelaria, Cáritas Santa Eulalia, Cánovas del Castillo, Plaza de San Juan, Cáritas San Juan, Saavedra Fajardo, Cáritas San Lorenzo, Casa Cuna Madre Paula, Platería, Cáritas San Bartolomé, Platería, Trapería, San Lorenzo, Saavedra Fajardo, Canovas del Castillo, Plaza de la Candelaria.
12.30: The Three Kings are officially welcomed by the Mayor of Murcia, José Ballesta, and Their Royal Majesties offer their speech to the children of the city. Youngsters are then welcome to meet the Kings inside the Town Hall.
18.00: The grand parade of the Reyes Magos, the Three Kings, one of the largest and most eagerly awaited events of the year in Murcia. After the parade Baltasar, Melchior and Gaspar make an offering at the Town Hall nativity scene in the Palacio Episcopal, with music by the Orfeón Fernández Caballero choir.
Route: Avda. San Juan de la Cruz, C/ Vicente Aleixandre, C/ Mozart, Torre de Romo, Hermanos
Cerón, Alameda de Colón, Pza. Camachos, Pza. Martínez Tornel, Gran Vía Salzillo, Avda. de la
Constitución.
Monday 6th January
18.00: The Auto de los Reyes Magos, a dramatization of the story of the Three Kings, in the Plaza Belluga.
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