This weekend there's only one word of interest in most of the region; CARNAVAL (that's carnival to us).
Most municipalities will have a local carnival parade and they're a joy, regardless of the size, whole families dressed to kill in outlandish costumes and enjoying the experience. The parades are organised by the peñas, groups of people who work together to enjoy the carnival experience, raising money throughout the year to finance the costs of participating, and competition is fierce amongst the peñas to create the best costumes, perform the best dance routine and put on the best show in their own local carnival.
The work that goes into making these incredible costumes and putting on these parades is unbelievable. For the whole year the peñas raise money to pay for their participation, design and pay for these incredible costumes and create and rehearse their routines.
The attention to detail is staggering; look at the detail of their shoes, their make-up, the way their costumes are made, the coloured lens in their eyes, the tiny drops of beads stuck on their skin, the head-dresses, the hand-sewn details on their costumes; every one is a walking work of art.
Take time to admire the whole effect and then just look at that detail.
The pictures below are from the Suelta de la Mussona last night in Águilas and were taken by the Federación de Peñas of Águilas carnival, showing some of the process of applying the make-up for the Suelta de la Mussona, a costume made from natural materials. Unbelievable detail for one short journey at the beginning of the carnival.
In many municipalities there is one main parade, or an adult parade and another for the kiddies, whilst others really go to town. Click on the individual articles in the feed below for procession routes, timings, maps and other events around the main parades.
Águilas is by far and away the biggest and best-known of all the Carnival parades. There are a whole series of parades in Águilas through carnival week, and they are so long that buying a seat is a very sensible proposition. Click for the full programme in Águilas and details of where to buy tickets.
The first procession in Águilas is on Sunday evening which features just the Águilas peñas and there are two further processions featuring the local peñas on Tuesday 25th February and Saturday 29th February. On Friday 28th February invited peñas from other parts of the region have their own parade in Águilas and this is an excellent way to see some of the best peñas from other carnivals in the region in their own parade.
Cartagena also has a substantial carnival procession, which is taking place on Saturday evening and another shortened version on Monday evening.
Lorca is steadily growing and is also a good size, and has its main adult parade on Saturday evening and a children's parade on Sunday lunchtime.
Totana never fails to disappoint with some excellent dance groups, and has its first grand adult parade on Saturday 22nd, a children's parade on the morning of Sunday 23rd and a grand parade featuring guest peñas on Saturday 29th February.
Mazarrón is steadily growing and has a children's parade on Saturday 22nd, the adult parade on Sunday 23rd and an extra parade for invited peñas on Saturday 1st March.
Alhama de Murcia has children's fun and carnival parade on Friday 21st, then the main adult carnival parade on 29th February.
In the Mar Menor area san Pedro del Pinatar has its parade on Sunday 23rd, Los Alcázares has its main parade on the 29th, Santiago de la Ribera has its main parade on Sunday 1st March (there are usually some of the Cartagena peñas in this parade) and Torre Pacheco has its main parade on the 7th March.
In the north-west Jumilla has some interesting traditions around its carnival, with the grand parade on Sunday 23rd February, Caravaca is on Saturday 22nd, Mula on the 22nd, Calasparra on the 29th, Cehegin on the 29th.
There are many more carnival events all over the place, with most municipalities offering entertainment for the kiddies, doggy carnivals and associate activities such as the Terra Natura carnival weekends; kiddies in costume get in free this weekend!!!!!
Other events.
To be honest, it's Carnival, Carnival, Carnival this weekend, although you'll find plenty of other different activities loaded into the feeds below, covering sporting events, walks, guided tours, exhibitions, music, charity and community events and info as well as shopping and gastronomic events. Just scroll through the feeds below or click on any of the articles to see full information about any event.
Guided walks and tours
The cycle of free guided walks continues and several events in English which may be of interest to non-Spanish speakers have been loaded, all of them free. There are also a couple of paid options offered by some municipalities as well as a whole host of free activities offered by the regional parks.
Daily tour Monday to Friday: Lorca. San Patricio and the three plazas. Cost 5 euros. An English language guided introduction to one of the principal monuments in Lorca and its surroundingsis offered daily during the week. Click here
Every Thursday: English language tour of Lorca castle including lunch. Cost 24 euros. Click for full information.
Tuesday to Saturday: Free guided audiotour in English following a walking route around the historical attractions of Alhama de Murcia. Free of charge, can be borrowed from the Tourist office. Take ID, ie passport or NIE. Click for info.
15th March Jumilla castle tour in English (tour free but bus to castle and castle entry is 2.10€); Click for info
28th March Route of the Railways tour in Águilas. Click for info
There are also other walks which are non-language specific, such as the country and beach walks, as well as many more with Spanish commentary, although very often there are people on the routes keen to practise their English and assist non-Spanish speakers, and of course, literature is often available in dual languages.
A couple which could be of interest to readers are:
Lorca castle has a special low-season offer for 15 euros which comprises castle entry and lunch between Monday and Friday and two Spanish language tours to restricted entry areas. Click for info
The Roman Theatre Museum in Cartagena is offering virtual reality tours with 3-D goggles on Saturdays and Sundays, a really unusual experience as the theatre comes to life around you. Click for info
Another Planet Brewing craft brewery in Torre Pacheco offers tours and tastings in its micro-craft brewery every Tuesday and offers a group lunch package as well; lunch and a beer tour for under 20 euros, not bad!
There are also feeds for sporting events and activities which include special spring offers for quad biking and laser clay pigeon shooting at the Mariposa in the Sierra Espuña, guided walks, and competitive activities, as well as another for exhibitions, another for expat and community activities and even one for static places to visit.
All of the events in the feeds below can be seen on the Murcia Today page in the What’s on section, laid out in date order: Click What’s on Murcia Today
To search by day use the calendar function: Click What’s on calendar
It's also possible to search by location using the "All Areas and Towns" search button on the header, each town having its own section, full of detailed local information.
To try and feed the events out as widely as possible during this busy period we operate a number of Facebook groups, so if you would like to see prompts about the many events (and local news) on offer, then join whichever of the following relates to your local area or interests:
What’s on and Where to go Facebook Group which covers the region: Click What's on and where to go
Around Mazarrón news, events and local info: Click to join
Mazarrón, Fuente Álamo, Águilas, Lorca, Totana, Puerto Lumbreras, Camposol, Alhama de Murcia. Click to join (all within a half hour drive of each other)
Mar Menor news, events and local info. Click to join (this includes all the Mar Menor municipalities and Cartagena)
North-west Murcia: Bullas, Mula, Cehegin, Caravaca, Cieza, Calasparra, Jumilla, Moratalla info. Click to join
Murcia arts and culture: Click to join
Fiestas and Ferias
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Guided Visits and trips
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Shopping and Artisan Markets
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Musical Events
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Sporting & outdoor Activities
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Lots of places to visit and things to enjoy in Murcia
There are lots of static locations which can be visited at any time in the Murcia Region.This is simply a scrolling list, but if you click through to the Where to go section, the articles can be searched by category, ie museums, locations children might enjoy, walking routes etc
There are dozens of places to choose from and lots of activities, ranging from rafting down the River Segura, walking Route 66, visiting the historical monuments and archaeological sites which litter the region, mud bathing or visiting the regional parks, so much to do!
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Exhibitions
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Charity and Community Information
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