July 25 to August 16 Annual fiestas in the Cartagena village of Perín

DONKEY DAY falls this year on 8^th August!!

The village of Perín between the two main roads and the motorway between Cartagena and Mazarrón, nestling in the foothills of the mountains which separate the city from the bay of Mazarrón and almost unvisited throughout the year except by those following a scenic route to and from the beaches.

However, the village has a charm of its own as well as some spectacular scenery, loads of fruit trees and an impressive aqueduct, and above all is known for the annual fiestas which are held in the first half of August. The most eye-catching tradition is based on an unverified story which has it that after the church was built the residents were keen to get rid of grass which was growing on the roof, so they took a donkey up the stairs so that it could graze on the unwanted vegetation.

For many years the highlight of the fiestas was a re-enactment of the tale, but nowadays of course that would be considered unacceptable. So a scale model of a donkey made of papier mâché (and named LUCERO) is hoisted with a rope up the outside of the building, to rapturous applause and cheers from the assembled throng. There really is quite an atmosphere at the event, and the fiestas, which are in fact meant to be in honour of the Virgen de la Piedad, turn into a celebration of donkey-themed events and others lasting three weeks!

The programme for the 2026 fiestas is as follows:

Saturday July 25

A party organized by the Los Luceros youth group.

Sunday July 26

9.00: Clay pigeon shooting at the old Hacienda.

19.30: The first starters in the Lucero Extreme Obstacles race, as competitors attempt to complete the circuit in the shortest time possible. Racers start every ten minutes until 21.00, and all are invited to join in, young or less young!

This is followed by a “Happy Burro” (Happy Donkey) celebratory dinner for all competitors and other guests.

Friday July 31

22.00: The official opening of the fiestas as the lights are switched on and the Tombola begins, Live music is provided by Radio Fusion.

Saturday August 1

19.15: Walkers set out on the annual Lucero Trail hike over a distance of 5 kilometres, arriving back as the sun sets.

19.20: The Lucero Kids fun and games begin.

20.00: The main Lucero Trail event begins, over a distance of 17 hilly kilometres, while the fun continues back at base and another Happy Burro meal takes place.

23.30: Live music from Encanto del Loco, a tribute act to the group “El Canto del Loco”, followed by DJ Mortis at the Club Deportivo Perín.

Sunday August 2

20.00: Children’s evening begins while the bar and grill is set up at the football pitch.

Monday August 3

20.00: Children’s games.

22.00: Sprint race.

Tuesday August 4

20.00: Children’s games.

22.00: The fairground opens and more live music from Radio Fusion.

Wednesday August 5

20.00: Children’s games.

21.00: The ballet group of Los Puerto de Santa Bárbara, a fashion parade and a charity raffle.

Thursday August 6

21.00: A night of fun with ludo, human billiards and a mechanical bull, as well as other popular games.

Friday August 7

22.00: Live entertainment from Bis A Bis.

23.00: All those manning floats for the parade gather for a pre-event briefing!

Saturday August 8, DONKEY DAY!!

19.15: The grand float parade with music, sangría, sandwiches, sweets, toys and other surprises before the formal ceremony is held to announce the raising of the donkey Lucero to the top of the church.

This year the man entrusted with the task of hoisting him up is Julio Ros Agüera, who will be accompanied by loud cheers as he completes his duty.

22.00: Music and dancing with La Prima.

Prize winners for the float parade are announced.

Sunday August 9

22.00: Christopher Martínez performs at the Noche Rociera outside the church, with plenty of sevillana dancing and a bar and grill in operation.

Monday August 10

A children’s footbal tournament is followed at 22.00 by music and the bar and grill outside the church.

Tuesday August 11

19.00: Hiking route organized by the local hunting club.

22.00: Migas competition.

Wednesday August 12

20.00: Children’s games.

22.00: Foam party and dancing.

Thursday August 13

19.00: Final of the petanca competition.

20.00: Children’s games.

22.00: Karaoke.

Friday August 14

22.00: Music and dancing with Dúo Nerea.

22.00: Perin Remember party at the football pitch, songs from the 90sand Noughties lasting all night. Entry free of charge, bar and grill service.

Saturday August 15, the feast day of the Virgen de la Piedad

12.00: Mass with music from La Rondalla el Acueducto.

12.30: An exhibition of lacework, paintings, esparto grass weaving and patchwork, remaining open all day.

13.00: Lunchtime music and dancing and a grand Piñata.

20.00: The procession of the figure of the Virgen de la Piedad through the streets of the village.

22.00: Live music from the FYV BAND.

Sunday August 16

21.00: Dinner is served outside the church.

20.30: Live music from Wildside, followed at 22.30 by a Medina Azahara tribute act.

For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today.