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September 30 to October 15 Annual Feria de Alhama de Murcia
Fairground attractions, a Day Fair, loads of live music and plenty to eat and drink at the annual fair in Alhama to celebrate the Feast Day of the Virgen del Rosario
The annual Feria de Alhama de Murcia takes place on and around the feast day of the Virgen del Rosario, patron of the town, on October 7, and this year will be the second time that the new Recinto Ferial or fairground hosts the majority of the celebrations in the Nueva Espuña residential development on the western edge of the town.
This fairground will be home to the funfair and the marquees erected by the peñas (or Feria groups) as well as live music almost every night. Occupying an area of 16,000 square metres, it offers plenty of space for the food stalls and other establishments, and the central avenue is 16 metres wide and equipped with benches, trees which provide shade, LED lighting and a fountain.
The new fairground has over 200 parking spaces and a tourist train will run to and from the town centre every 15 minutes entirely free of charge.
Another of the highlights is the “zoco” market next to the church of San Lázaro on October 14 and 15, while the musical entertainment includes performances by Funambulista, Los Vivancos and La Mundial Orquesta Show.
At the fairground a special “quiet period” has been included at the fairground for those with problems associated with autism every day between 18.30 and 20.30, while back in the town centre a day fair is being held on October 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15 during the afternoon and early evening.
The program for the Feria de Alhama de Murcia 2023 includes the following:
Saturday September 23
16.00: Classic motor vehicle rally at the Recinto Ferial in Nueva Espuña.
Saturday September 30
17.30 until 6.00 a.m: Alhama Baila Fest at the Complejo Deportivo Guadalentín.
Wednesday October 4
20.30: Opening of the annual ornithology exhibition on Avenida Antonio Fuertes, next to Bar Hispano.
Thursday October 5
18.00: The fairground opens for the first time in the Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña.
19.00: Opening of an exhibition of handiwork and craftsmanship at the Asociación Cultural San Lázaro on the ground floor of the Centro de Mayores.
19.00: Chiringuito bars open at the fairground.
19.30; Opening of the exhibition “Luchando contra el expolio, Valle del Guadalentín” (Combating the pillaging of our heritage in the Guadalentín valley) and the Los Baños archaeological museum. Admission free of charge. The exhibition runs until December 3.
20.00: The decorative lights are switched on at the fairground.
20.00: Charity ham slicing at the Chiringuito of the Hermandad de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores y la Soledad, raising funds for the Never Surrender cancer foundation.
21.00: Live music from La Colla del Ramblar at the fairground.
23.00: The opening of the marquees of the different peñas taking part in this year’s fiestas.
Friday October 6
11.00 to 13.00: Learn about the birdlife in the town of Alhama de Murcia, an activity for all ages in the Parque de la Cubana.
12.00: Opening of the Day Fair in the Parque de la Cubana, featuring festivities and gastronomic attractions. Childcare available for 3- to 12-year-olds from 13.00 to 18.00. Live music from Dj GhelloDup and Pablo Maess.
21.00: The opening speech of the Feria is given by Carmen Espadas Hernández in the Plaza de La Constitución, followed by the “chupinazo” firecrackers. Organiza: Peña El Cocotazo.
23.00: Live music from FYV Band at the fairground and DJ music at the marquees.
Saturday October 7
6.30: The 33rd annual Bajada del Moral, a 100-kilometre mountain bike ride beginning in Calle Rambla don Diego (at the old fairground).
9.00: The Feria de Alhama country hike begins in the Plaza de la Constitución, both long and short routes are organized by the Alhama Club de Orientación y Montaña.
10.00: Hot chocolate and churros for all to celebrate the Feast Day of Nuestra Señora del Rosario at the church of San Lázaro.
10.30: Street parade with giants and bigheads, accompanied by music from the Ateneo Músico Cultural Maestro ‘José Antonio Ayala’.
11.30: Floral offering to the Virgen del Rosario at the church of San Lázaro, the procession begins in the Jardín de Los Patos.
12.00: Holy Mass in honour of the Virgen del Rosario featuring the Audite Omnes choir in the church of San Lázaro.
12.00: Live music at the Day Fair from Dj GhelloDup, Cris Deluxe and Jorge in the Parque de La Cubana.
12.30: Dance exhibition by the Paso a Paso academy in Avenida de la Constitución.
13.30: “Cucaña” competition, climbing a greasy pole by making a human tower. Groups can register at the Casa de Cultura until October 5 and the top prize is 250 euros! Venue: Parque de la Cubana.
19.00: Holy Mass in the church of San Lázaro.
19.30: Procession of the figure of Nuestra Señora del Rosario in the streets of Alhama. Route: Iglesia de San Lázaro, Calle La Feria, Vergara Pérez, Plaza Vieja, Calle Larga, Calle Corredera, Calle La Feria, Iglesia San Lázaro.
21.30: Annual folk music and dance festival at the Auditorio Municipal Tierno Galván featuring groups from Tenerife, Huesca and the Region of Murcia.
23.30: Silent fireworks display in honour of the Virgen del Rosario at the landing ground for hang-gliders.
23.45: “Ebony Party” with greatest hits of the 80s and 90s at the fairground.
Sunday October 8
12.00: Live music at the Day Fair from Dj GhelloDup and Boigres in the Parque de La Cubana.
Afternoon of the Peñas at the fairground with a series of competitions among the different groups taking part in the fiestas. Highlights include the football-tennis tournament at 17.05, the olive-spitting championship at 17.30 and the sack race for couples at 17.45.
19.00: Groups taking part in the 38th annual musical bands festival gather in the Plaza de la Constitución for a parade.
19.30: The bands take part in a concert at the Teatro Cine Velasco. Admission free of charge.
20.00: Exhibition by the Alhanza dance school at the fairground.
Tuesday October 10
18.00 to 0.00 midnight: Children’s day at the fairground, all rides just 1.50 euros.
20.00: Live music from Arkadia at the Auditorio Municipal Tierno Galván, admission free of charge.
Wednesday October 11
18.00 to 0.00 midnight: Children’s day at the fairground, all rides just 1.50 euros.
20.00: An exhibition of table grapes and other local agricultural produce from the lower Guadalentín area opens at the Casa de la Cultura.
19.30: Migas competition at the new car park in Calle del Molino.
23.00: Swing music and Rosa Spiteri live in concert at the fairground, tributes to the music of the 60s with a variety of styles.
Thursday October 12
9.30: Pairs petanca competition in the Jardín de la Carrasca.
12.00: Live music at the Day Fair from Dj GhelloDup, Juan Ruiz, Di Carlo and Chumi Dj in the Parque de La Cubana.
20.00: The Town Musicians of Bremen, children’s theatre at the Auditorio Municipal Tierno Galván, admission free of charge.
22.30: LOS VIVANCOS live in concert in Avenida Juan Carlos I, alongside the Jardín de Los Patos.
23.00: Rock music from Banda Juárez, Alacranes, Vocal Harmoni and Especial RC at the fairground.
Friday October 13
12.00: Live music at the Day Fair from Dj GhelloDup, Boigres y Pablo Maess in the Parque de La Cubana.
22.30: ORQUESTA LA MUNDIAL live in concert in Avenida Juan Carlos I, alongside the Jardín de Los Patos.
23.00: Live music from Superjunkies, covers of hits from the 80s, 90s and 2000s at the fairground.
Saturday October 14
11.00 to 21.00: The Zoco de la Feria market opens in Calle Feria and at the church of San Lázaro.
10.00 and 12.00: Visits to the medieval castle and the encampment which are to be installed in the gardens of the Los Baños archaeological museum from 10.00 to 12.00. Registration is free of charge and should be completed at the museum (telephone 968 630776 from 10.00 to 12.00).
12.00: Live music at the Day Fair from Dj GhelloDup, Boigres, Sanchís López and Antonio Puga in the Parque de La Cubana.
16.30: Float parade. Route: Avenida de la Constitución, Sierra Espuña, Isaac Albéniz, Molino, Rambla Don Diego, Postigos, Tomás Moro, Juan Carlos I, Plaza de la Constitución. The floats will be on display in Avenida de la Constitución until the following day.
23.00: Live music from Grupo Atlantis at the fairground.
23.30: FUNAMBULISTA live in concert in Avenida Juan Carlos I, alongside the Jardín de Los Patos.
1.00: 70s music on the big screen in Avenida Juan Carlos I, alongside the Jardín de Los Patos.
Sunday October 15
10.00 and 12.00: Visits to the medieval castle and the encampment which are to be installed in the gardens of the Los Baños archaeological museum from 10.00 to 12.00. Registration is free of charge and should be completed at the museum (telephone 968 630776 from 10.00 to 12.00).
12.00: Prizes are awarded and the table grape exhibition at the Casa de Cultura.
12.00: Live music at the Day Fair from Dj GhelloDup, Boigres, Sanchís López and Antonio Puga in the Parque de La Cubana.
18.00: Hang-gliding precision landing competition at the Vereda de los Secanos, just outside Alhama in the western outskirts.
The following sporting events take place after the end of the festivities:
Friday October 20
18.00: The 15th annual “Milla Urbana” mile running race starts and finishes in the Plaza de La Constitución. Registration online at www.famu.es.
October 21 and 22
10.00: 24-hour 5-a-side football marathons at the Adolfo Suárez and Sierra Espuña sports pavilions, registration at the indoor swimming pool.
Sunday October 22
8.00: Alhama Trail mountain running race starts in the Plaza de la Constitución. Two running distances (28 and 18 km), a 19-kilometre hike and a 3.5-km route for kids. Click here for online registration.
8.00: Moto Cross de la Feria at the Las Salinas circuit.
October 28 and 29
10.00: The “Pepe Calero” tennis tournament for doubles at the Polideportivo El Praíco.
Sunday October 29
9.00: Cyclocross Feria de Alhama at Los Secanos, organized by Club Ciclista Sierra Espuña.
Sunday November 5
9.00: Judo tournament and exhibition at the Pabellón Municipal Adolfo Suárez.
Saturday November 25
9.00: Orienteering evento organized by Club Totana-O.
18.00: the 34th annual mountain hike “Agrupación Deportiva Leiva”.
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Alhama Today.
staff.inc.ali
Address
Tourist Office Alhama de Murcia, Plaza Constitucion. Frente Auditorio, nº 10, 30840, ALHAMA DE MURCIATel: 968 633 512
Oficina de Turismo de Alhama de Murcia
Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución, just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia.
The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama. These be loaned at any time, although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour, and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office.
The office also carries a full range of leaflets for the archaeological museum of Los Baños, which is built around the historic spa which gives Alhama its name, and the mountains of Sierra Espuña, which is also an important area within the municipality of Alhama. Areas such as El Berro and Gebas have a number of interesting routes which can be followed and there are several picnic areas and good walking routes within the Sierra Espuña natural park.
The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year, including Los Mayos, Semana Santa, Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro.
Opening Hours
Winter (September 16 – May 31)
- Tuesday to Friday: 9am-2pm and 4.30pm-7.30pm
- Saturdays: 10am-1pm
- Sundays and Mondays: closed
Summer (June 1 to September 15)
- Tuesday to Friday: 08.30 to 14.30
- Saturdays: 10.00 to 13.00
- Sundays and Mondays: closed
For more local information, including news and forthcoming events, visit the home page of Alhama Today.
