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Date Published: 29/09/2026

Lorca's 2026 fair drew nearly half a million people and left the city's historic centre buzzing for ten days

Hotels hit 100% occupancy, the streets stayed safe and the daytime fair exceeded all expectations

Lorca has just wrapped up one of the most successful editions of its annual fair in recent memory. Nearly 500,000 people turned out over ten days, with visitors arriving not just from across the Region of Murcia but from Almería, Alicante and Albacete too. Hotels and tourist apartments in the city hit 100% occupancy during the final weekend.

Mayor Fulgencio Gil was delighted. "Lorca has experienced ten spectacular days," he said. "We have seen our streets and squares full from midday until night, thousands of people enjoying the concerts, the rides, our gastronomy, and all the scheduled activities." He described the historic centre as having "regained all the prominence we want it to have during the fair."

The second Saturday was the standout day, with crowds so large that the afternoon festivities were extended until 10pm to keep the energy going into the evening. Free tribute concerts in Plaza de España, a new music series at the Sutullena bullring and nearly a hundred attractions and activities across the programme all contributed to the atmosphere.

The fair was also notably peaceful. Despite the enormous crowds, police only had to process fifty reports for violations of public order regulations across the entire ten days.

There was one small note of caution from the hospitality sector. The hoteliers' association Hostelor acknowledged the strong footfall but noted that spending per customer in bars and restaurants was lower than in previous years, something they attributed to rising food, energy and fuel costs putting pressure on people's leisure budgets.

Gil concluded by looking ahead. "From this moment on, we are already starting to work to make next year's even better."

Image: Ayuntamiento de Lorca

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Oficina de Turismo de Lorca

Lorca Tourist Office

The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites and historic buildings around which the modern city has built its tourism industry. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, Plaza de España, the former Collegiate church of San Patricio, the municipal archaeological museum, the Casa Huerto Ruano, the Palacio de Guevara and the churches and convents of San Francisco, San Mateo, the Virgen de las Huertas, La Merced, El Carmen and many others.

Unfortunately, Lorca has been prone to natural disaster, suffering a severe flood in 1973 which killed 50 people, and a Gota Fría on September 28^th 2012, as well as a series of earthquakes, the most recent of which was 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11^th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives.

Lorca Tourist Office Lorca also has an area of unspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Cala Calnegre and various others. Although only one is accessible by road others can be reached along dirt tracks!

In terms of fiestas, Lorca is synonymous with Easter (Semana Santa), its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status being famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azul) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.

In the Autumn Lorca also celebrates the Fiestas of San Clemente and a Feria and there are a series of important events throughout the year in the Recinto Ferial, as well as a busy cultural and sporting programme.

The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).

Lorca Tourist Office Lorca also has an area of inspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only along difficult tracks or by boat!

Lorca Tourist Office However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.