May 3 to 5 Cruces de Mayo, the May Crosses festivities in Cartagena

Falete, lots more live music and 42 outdoor bars in the centre of Cartagena over the weekend

Over the weekend of 3rd to 5th May the municipality of Cartagena joins many others across the country celebrating the Crosses of May, a sociable occasion in which crosses are set up in the streets, decorated with flowers and other items of local significance. The crosses become the focal point for music, merriment and celebration as part of an event which has a mix of pagan and religious roots but is also a popular cultural event.

In the city of Cartagena the event is so large that 42 outdoor bar-terraces have been set up, and they will be open from midday until past midnight. The majority of these bars are in and around the historic city centre, and chemical toilets are being set up by the Town Hall in various public places.

The star turn of the musical entertainment is the concert by androgenous flamenco singer in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento on Saturday May 4 at 20.30, while at the same venue there are also performances by Juanlu Montoya on May 3 at 20.30 and Curro Piañana on May 5 at 12.00. 

Elsewhere, there is live music in the Plaza San Francisco, the Plaza del Icue, the Plaza del Rey and the Plaza de la Merced.

The fiestas are observed not only in the city but in many other locations in the municipality: 

Los Mateos: May 24 and 25 in Plaza Modistas.

Barriada José María Lapuerta: April 26 and 27.

Polígono de Santa Ana: May 10 and 12.

Santa Lucía: In Calle Santiago May 10 to 12.

Barriada San Félix: May 26.

Alumbres: May 3 to 5 in Calle Barceló and Plaza Doctor Estrada.

Nueva Cartagena: May 18 in Calle Sierra de Gredos.

Canteras: April 27.

El Algar: May 11 and 12 in Plaza de la Iglesia and Calle Sagasta.

La Azohía: May 4 and 5 in Plaza Juan Paredes.

El Llano del Beal: May 4.

Isla Plana: May 4 in the Plaza del Mar.

Los Dolores: May 18.

La Palma: May 18.

For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia visit the What's on section of Murcia Today.