ARCHIVED - Christmas, New Year and Three Kings in Alhama de Murcia 2019-20

Tourist train, carols, music, a Christmas market and plenty for the children to do in Alhama de Murcia over the festive season

Alhama de Murcia offers a busy programme of Christmas activities, with plenty of free choral and carol concerts, lots of activities for the kiddies, tourist train, municipal belén and of course, the parade of the Three Kings on the 5th January.

Most activities are free unless otherwise indicated and take place in the small area between the archaeological museum, which is home to the municipal Belén, the church of San Lázaro (which has another belén), the Teatro Cine Velasco in the corner of the Jardín de los Patos, and the remaining events in the Casa de Cultura and Parque Cubana opposite the town hall and tourist office, just around the corner from the museum.

There is a separate programme of events for the outlying districts of El Cañarico, La Costera, El Berro, Gebas and Las Cañadas (see feed below).

Please note, theatrical performances, guided tours and storytelling are in SPANISH unless otherwise indicated.

Pre-Xmas Shopping Promotion: Win 1,000 euros for shopping in Alhama de Murcia during Christmas run-up!

The businesses of Alhama de Murcia are holding their annual pre-Christmas shopping promotion between the 2^nd and 20^th December, with a 1000 euro “against the clock” shopping spree as the main prize and 9 further shopping vouchers for values between 250 and 750 euros on offer just for shopping in the town!

At the same time shops take part in a window-dressing competition over the festive season, with 24 prizes to be won.

Christmas Tourist Train: The Christmas tourist train is running around the town centre of Alhama de Murcia from 14th December to the 6th January. Rides start and finish at the bus stop in Avenida Juan carlos I, opposite the public marketplace and tickets cost just 1 euro.

Timetable:

14th and 15th December and then from the 21st December to 6th January as follows. 
10:30 to 13:30 and again from 16:30 to 20:30.
Between the 16th and 20th December the train only runs in the from 16:30 to 20:30.
On the 24th and 31st December during the MORNING ONLY from 10:30 to 13:and on the 25th December and 1st January in the EVENING ONLY from 16:30 to 20:30.

The Belén municipal, the municipal nativity scene: this is open from the 22^nd December to 6^th January from Tuesday to Saturday between 10.00 and 14.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00, and on Sundays from 10.00 to 14.00 only. The Belén is located in the Museo Arqueológico Los Baños (a 2-minute walk from tourist office).

Principal venues. 

Tourist Information Office Tel 968 633 512: Tourist Information Office

Archaeological Museum Los Baños( a 2 minute walk from Tourist Office) Tel: 968 630 776: Archaeological Museum Los Baños

Exhibition centre Pósito Municipal: Click Pósito Municipal

Teatro Cine Velasco; Click Teatro Cine Velasco

Centro Cultural Plaza Vieja: Click Centro Cultural Plaza Vieja

Casa de la Cultura: Click Casa de la Cultura

Parroquía de la Concepción. Click for map: Church of La Concepción

Parroquial church of San Lázaro: Parroquía de san Lázaro, Alhama de Murcia

Friday 13th December

17.00: Opening of the second Christmas Market of Alhama de Murcia. The market remains open until Sunday 15th December in the Plaza de la Constitución with a wide range of artisan, hand-made and seasonal goods on offer. Opening times: 17:00 to 21:30.

Next door to the market, in the underground facility of Plaza de la Constitución, Father Christmas sets up house from 16.00 to 20.00 on all three days to meet children and to take receipt of their Christmas wish lists.

17.30: Percussion workshop with traditional Christmas instruments in the Plaza de la Constitución – come and try your hand at the bizarre “zambomba”!

19.30: Puppet theatre for children.

20.30: 28^th annual Cope Espuña gala at the Teatro Velasco. Entry free of charge.

Saturday 14th December

10.00: The Christmas market continues in Plaza de la Constitución until 21.30.

Next door to the market, in the underground facility of Plaza de la Constitución, Father Christmas sets up house from 16.00 to 20.00 on all three days of the market to meet children and to take receipt of their Christmas wish lists.

11.00: Christmas carol concert for children featuring several local choirs in the Teatro Velasco, admission free. As part of this choral event there is a performance outside the door of the town hall in Plaza de la Constitución at 11.30.

11.00: Guided tour of the castle of Alhama, registration 3 euros (2 euros for children) at the Los Arcos museum (telephone 968 630712).Please note, commentary on the tour is in Spanish. Click here for booking link.

11.30 to 14.00: Free children’s workshops to make christmas-themed handicraft items in the Plaza de la Constitución.

12.30, 18.00 and 19.30: Free puppet theatre for children in the Plaza de la Constitución.

Sunday 15th December

08.30: The nativity scene at El Morrón in the mountains of Sierra Espuña is to be set up, with those taking part setting out by car from the fairground as far as Collado Mangueta, and then on foot. This is a serious but very rewarding walk!

10.00: The Christmas market continues in Plaza de la Constitución until 21.30. During the morning those taking part can purchase an empty glass, with proceeds to be donated to charity, and use it to sample wine alongside small plates of ham.

Next door to the market, in the underground facility of Plaza de la Constitución, Father Christmas sets up house from 16.00 to 20.00 on all three days of the market to meet children and to take receipt of their Christmas wish lists.

11.00, 17.30 and 19.30: Free puppet theatre for children in the Plaza de la Constitución.

11.00 to 14.00: Free pottery workshop for children in the Plaza de la Constitución.

11.30: Traditional folk music and dancing by the “Villa de Alhama” and “Hermandad del Rocío de Lorca” groups in the Plaza de la Constitución.

12.30: More music from the Aires de Espuña group in the Plaza de la Constitución performing typical Murcia carols.

13.30: The music in the Plaza de la Constitución continues with the “Músicos de Sonata y Cuadrilla de La Costera”.

20.15: Free Christmas concert. Christmas music from the singers and dancers of the Villa de Alhama group in the Iglesia de la Concepción.Click for map

Tuesday 17^th December

19.00: Holy Mass in honour of San Lázaro Obispo, the patron of Alhama, in the church devoted to him, including offering of non-perishable foods to be donated to local good causes.

Saturday 21^st December

20.30: After the end of Mass the opening speech of the Christmas and New Year celebration in Alhama is given by José Antonio Ayala García, director of the municipal music school in the church of San Lázaro.

Following the speech, the municipal musical band and choir perform their annual christmas concert in the church. Entry is free of charge.

Sunday 22^nd December

11.00: Guided tour of the castle of Alhama, registration 3 euros (2 euros for children) at the Los Baños Archaeological Museum (telephone 968 630712 to book).

11.00: The municipal Belén is officially blessed and opens to the public at the Museo Arqueológico Los Baños.

Tuesday 24^th December

13.00: Music for Christmas Eve with the Rondallas de Alhama in Calle de la Feria.

Wednesday 25^th December, the Bajada de la Candelaria

17.15: The figure of the Virgen de la Candelaria is brought down from the small chapel of the Ermita del Padre Manuel in the foothills of Sierra Espuña to the Iglesia de la Concepción in a “romería”. This is not a particularly long walk at about 1 kilometre but is a pleasant way to walk off a few lunchtime calories and enjoy traditional Murcian folk music en route.

The route follows the Rambla San Roque and Moreras on its way to the Iglesia de la Concepción.

19.00: Christmas dance with music from the Dúo Jema in the Centro de Mayores (the old folk’s home on the corner of the Parque Cubano).

19.30: The Misa de los Pastores, the Shepherds’ Mass, sung by the Grupo de Coros y Danzas “Virgen del Rosario” from Alhama in the Iglesia de la Concepción.

20.30: The Auto de los Pastores. An Auto is a traditional nativity play and this one about the shepherds is performed by the Grupo de Coros y Danzas Virgen del Rosario in the Teatro Cine Velasco. Admission is free.

Thursday 26th December

20.00 Annual Murcian carol singing festival with the performance of several local folk-based groups; Grupo de cuerda del Centro de Mayores, Grupo de Música Popular del Taller de Músicos de Sonata and Cuadrilla from La Costera, Grupo Folklórico “Villa de Alhama”, Grupo de Coros y Danzas Virgen del Rosario, Coro Rociero Villa de Alhama and Los Zalameros. Entry free of charge in the Teatro Velasco.

Friday 27th December

11.00: Christmas handicrafts workshop for children "decorate your tree" in the Plaza de Abastos (the indoor market). 

20.00: Free entry traditional Murcian Christmas carols concert featuring local traditional Murcian folk groups, the Grupo de Coros y Danzas Virgen del Rosario, Coro Rociero ‘Aromas del Rocío’, La Edad de Oro, Aires de Espuña and La Colla del Ramblar. Entry is free of charge and the concert is in the Teatro Cine Velasco. 

Saturday 28th December

11.00: Christmas handicrafts workshop for children "make your own Christmas biscuits" in the Plaza de Abastos (the indoor market). 

17.00: Pasacalles de Aguilando. This is a traditional activity in which traditional folk groups walk around the town singing seasonal music with the objective of gathering funds for the local church. It's a Murcian folk version of carol singing. Anyone can come along and join in, and walk with them as they stop off at various points in the streets of calle Los Pasos, Cartagena, La Feria, Corredera, Los Postigos, Miguel Servet, La Feria and Juan Carlos I. 

Sunday 29th December

18.30: Carol singing in the old folks' home on the corner of the Parque Cubano.

Tuesday 31st December

16.30: The FV band prepare for the festivities ahead on the terrace of El Laurel in calle de la Feria

22.30 The old folks' home holds its annual New Years Eve dance.

Wednesday 1st January 2020

19:00 New Years Day dance in the old folks home.

Friday 3rd January

11.00: Free storytelling for children in the Plaza de Abastos (the indoor market). 

18.00: Children's musical theatre in the Teatro Cine Velasco; Robin Hood. Tickets are 5 euros on the door or 3 euros if purchased in advance from the Archaeological Museum Los Baños.

Saturday 4th January

11.00: Seasonal handicrafts workshop for children "Guardamos la navidad; recycling during the seasonal period" in the Plaza de Abastos (the indoor market). 

Sunday 5th January

17:00 The Three Kings offer a small gift to each of the children of the municipality in the Plaza de la Constitución

19:00 CABALGATA DE REYES. The grand Cabalgata and parade of the Three Kings.
The grand parade begins in the Plaza de la Constitución and follows a route via calles: Constantino López, Plaza del Nazareno, S. Francisco Javier, Rambla Don Diego, Corredera, La Feria, Avda. España, Juan Carlos I and concludes in the Plaza de la Constitución in front of the town hall. Bring a bag to collect sweets!

Monday 6th January 2019
11.00 Traditional representation of the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro, accompanied by the Cuadrilla de El Berro. In this, the story of the nativity is retold by costumed actors, along with a few horses and sheep, with musical accompaniment, winding through the streets of El Berro.

19:00 Three Kings dance in the Centro de Mayores with the Trío Jema.

Further events in Alhama de Murcia can be seen in the feed below.

Click for more information about the Alhama de Murcia municipality