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

Traditional events in El Berro, El Cañarico, La Costera, Gebas and Las Cañadas, all part of the Alhama de Murcia municipality.

As well as the main program of events in Alhama de Murcia during the festive season there are separate schedules in the outlying villages of the municipality, El Berro, El Cañarico, La Costera, Gebas and Las Cañadas.

Many of the activities are highly traditional and call to mind Christmas celebrations of times gone by, and for this reason they are popular with visitors from Alhama and other parts of the Region of Murcia.

EL BERRO

The events scheduled in the village of El Berro, in the mountains of Sierra Espuña, include the following:

Sunday 15^th December

17.30: Children aged between 6 and 16 are invited to submit their entries to a Christmas story competition for which prizes are awarded on 15^th December in the Casa de la Cultura. Entries can be delivered at Comestibles Fina the day before.

Tuesday 24th December

Sunset: Father Christmas arrives with surprises for the grown-ups!

20.00: 20:00 Misa de Gallo (traditionally a midnight mass but in this case slightly earlier in the evening) with music from the Cuadrilla de El Berro in the local church.

Saturday 28th December

18.00: An evening of music in the Casa de Cultura featuring the Rondalla Aires de Espuña and the Cuadrilla de El Berro, followed by dinner and dancing.

Sunday 29^th December

11.00: An artisans’ market in Calle Mayor organised by the neighbours' association.

Tuesday 31^st December

21.00: A new Year’s party in the Casa de Cultura themed on the 1980s, with dinner, music and dancing as well as a festive photocall.

Midnight: The 12 lucky grapes will be taken as the New Year is rung in.

Reservations by WhatsApp on 646 650806 or at Comestibles Fina.

Wednesday 1st January

12.30: New Year Mass in the church of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores with music by the Cuadrilla de El Berro.

2nd to 6th January

An exhibition about the history of the Auto de los Reyes Magos (the traditional play of the Three Kings in El Berro) is open at the Casa de Cultura.

Saturday 4^th January

18.00: A Christmas escape room event in the Calle Mayor.

Sunday 5th January

12.30 to 13.00: Letters addressed to the Three Kings can be delivered to the royal postbox, with requests for gifts not only for those writing them but also for those in need. The best letters will be awarded prizes (age limit 16, all letters to be anonymous, the winners to claim them when they are read out later).

16.00: The Three Kings parade through the village with their royal pages accompanied by the Cuadrilla de El Berro before handing out presents at the Casa de la Cultura. The evening ends with “Roscón de Reyes” cake and chocolate for all.

Monday 6th January

11.00: Performance of the traditional Auto de los Reyes Magos in the streets of the town, the traditional nativity play. This takes a good couple of hours, starting in the car park opposite the campsite.

The Auto is followed by Mass in the church, sung by the Cuadrilla of El Berro.

GEBAS

Also in the Sierra Espuña is the village of Gebas, where the events organized by the Asociación de Vecinos include the following:

Saturday 21^st December

17.00: The inauguration of the Belén (nativity scene) made by the neighbour's association in the association’s headquarters.

18.00: An esparto grass workshop with a presentation and demonstration followed by a chance to try your own hand, given by Dirk Drijver.

20.00: Wine tasting for locals and visitors alike

Sunday 22nd December

17.00 to 19.00: The Belén is open to visitors.

17.30: Christmas cinema with popcorn.

Wednesday 25th December

11.00 to 14.00: The Belén is open to visitors in the Salón Social.

12.30: Christmas Mass with music from the Edad de Oro group.

13.30: Wine and Christmas carols for locals and visitors.

Saturday 28^th December

17.00 to 20.00: The Belén is open to visitors.

18.00: Bread-making workshop for both adults and children, making Christmas rolls which will of course be tasted afterwards. Special thanks for their collaboration are due to Fernando Sánchez Martínez of the Panadería ‘El Castellano’ and Bárbara López Rubio.

Sunday 29^th December

10.00: A guided walk of low difficulty to the Barrancos de Gebas, observing flora and fauna in the protected landscape. Followed by traditional poultry broth with meatballs!

11.00 to 13.30: The Belén is open to visitors.

17.30: Coffee and board games.

18.30: Bingo.

Saturday 4th January

17.00: The Belén is open to visitors.

17.05: “Tarde de Dulce”, a traditional meeting of the neighbours, visitors and friends to exchange Christmas sweets, chocolates and desserts and share a large pan of boiled coffee.

Sunday 5^th January

10.00: The Ruta de las Balsas, a walking route through the district for all the family, followed by roast pork and wine.

11.00 to 13.00: The Belén is open to visitors.

Monday 6^th January

18.00: The Salón Social and the Belén open.

18.30: The Three Kings deliver presents to children as the neighbours gather for the last time this festive season to enjoy Roscón de Reyes, liqueurs and coffee.

EL CAÑARICO

In El Cañarico, in the shadow of the Sierra de Carrascoy, the following events and activities are scheduled by the Asociación de Vecinos:

Wednesday 25^th December

11.00: Christmas Mass in the local church, followed by traditional sweets.

Saturday 4th January

17.00: The Three Kings arrive early in El Cañarico to deliver presents to children at the Local Social, where “Roscón de Reyes” cake will be provided for all.

Sunday 5^th January

21.00: A dance at the Centro Social with music provided by the Dúo Campoamor, with an interval for “Roscón de Reyes” cake.

LAS CAÑADAS

Not far away in Las Cañadas, the program is as follows:

Wednesday 25^th December

12.00: The bells toll to welcome Christmas in the church of La Molata.

13.00: Christmas Mass with music from the Cuadrilla de La Costera in the church of La Molata.

13.30: A raffle for a Christmas hamper outside the church.

21.00: An evening of music in the Local Social with Paco Bitagora, followed by chocolate and snacks for all and another Christmas hamper raffle.

Saturday 28th December

21.00: Christmas dance with music provided by Dúo Sonora at the Salón Social in La Molata, followed by wine and traditional cakes for all.

Sunday 5^th January

21.00: The Three Kings distribute gifts for the youngsters of the municipality, followed by music from Movar and Roscón de Reyes for all in the Salón Social of La Molata.

Saturday 11^th January

12.00: The annual Boys v Girls football match at the sports centre in La Molata.

Sunday 20th January

10.00: A cultural walking tour of Las Cañadas de Alhama from Venta Aledo to Los Muñoces, including the history of the large “caserío” properties, the cave homes, wells, water deposits and churches of the area. Registration 2 euros, book with Alicia on 685 372146. Aperitifs afterwards in the Salón Social of La Molata.

LA COSTERA

Finally, in La Costera the Christmas and New Year events are as follows:

Friday 20^th December

12.00: A Christmas festival at the Colegio Unitario.

Saturday 21st December

12.00: The inauguration of the Belén created by the parents’ association at the school and the neighbours’ association.

Sunday 22^nd December

The 8^th annual “Encuentro de Cuadrillas”, a gathering of traditional musical groups in the Local Social throughout the day. This year the local Cuadrilla de La Costera are joined by the Cuadrilla de Molinos Marfagones (Cartagena) and the Cuadrilla El Niño de Nápoles (Puerto Lumbreras).

11.00: Choque de Cuadrillas; a meeting of the cuadrillas in the streets.

13.00: Mass sung by the Cuadrillas.

14.00: Lunch for attendees at 2 euros.

16.00: Performances by the cuadrillas on the stage.

Saturday 28^th December

An afternoon of Christmas fun for the children.

19.00: An evening of music at the Local Social Tele Club in La Costera.

Sunday 29^th December

19.00: Christmas bingo at the Local Social Tele Club in La Costera.

Sunday 5^th January

22.00: Three Kings Ball with music by the Dúo Nerea, with Roscón de Reyes and cider for all and raffles for two Christmas hampers.

Monday 6^th January

12.30: The Three Kings bring their presents for children to the Local Social Tele Club.

Sunday 12^th January

10.00: A walking route in the foothills of the Sierra de Carrascoy for all the family. This year the walk takes place in the area of Pino del Cargador, starting and finishing at the Camino de San José and following paths for 4 kilometres with regular stops for other activities. Although it is an easy walk it is not suitable for pushchairs. Snacks are provided.

Registration should be carried out by email to pedaniadelacostera@gmail.com and the organizers, Aacho Team and the neighbours’ association, are pleased to announce that taking part will be free again.

For more local events, news and other information go to the Alhama de Murcia section