Parties and festivals in Murcia

1. Tips and advice for living in or travelling around Murcia
2. Managing your money in Murcia
3. How to get to Murcia
4. Neighbourhoods in Murcia
5. Accommodation in Murcia
6. Food and restaurants in Murcia
7. Nights out in Murcia
8. Transport in Murcia
9. What to see and do in Murcia
10. Trips and days out in Murcia
11. Parties and festivals in Murcia
12. What are you looking for in Murcia?
13. Visiting Murcia for 2 days

Music festivals

WARM UP Estrella de Levante

The WARM UP Estrella de Levante festival is the first big international calendar date for independent music in the whole of Spain. During two days of music, dance and sponsor stands, the La Fica venue is filled with thousands of music lovers, both Murcian and foreign, all of them prepared to enjoy the magic that is created on the Estrella de Levante and Thunder Bitch stages.

Formerly known as WAM, in 2018 a new name came about and it is now known as WARM UP (‘We Are Región de Murcia’) to coincide with the expansion of community projects that they have been doing in collaboration with young people throughout the region. The opening of this festival was embraced in such a huge way, that the event was attended by guest artists by world-renowned artists, such as Kasabian and Alt-J.

As well as the Estrella Levante and Thunder Bitch stages, there is also the WARM UP Dancefloor, with DJs keeping the rhythm and the atmosphere going all night long, until well into the early hours; as well as a market where you will find all different kinds of clothes and accessories for sale. If you get hungry or thirsty, don't worry at all, because you will find tons of food trucks and drinks stalls that will sort you out. Finally, all over the venue you will find sponsor booths, which you can go up to if you dare to play the games or try the alcoholic beverages that they take advantage of the event to promote to the large crowds.

The standard tickets cost between €29 and €35, whilst VIP tickets cost €65.

Animal Sound Festival

Animal Sound Festival is an electronic music festival that is celebrated every year in June. Across two days, this festival brings together more than 15,000 people at one single venue, the Recinto Ferial La Fica.

This festival gives life to the city with more than 12 hours of live music, with internationally known artists such as YVESV, who's the famous resident of Tomorrowland, the big DJ Bl3nd and Tony Junior.

There are different areas in the venue that are separate to the main stage, like the comfort area, the VIP area, and the many food and drink kiosks that are spread throughout the venue.

Entry to both days, only costs €22, or €32 if you'd prefer to go VIP, which will give you preferential access and discounts on cold food and drink.

For a reasonable price, you have the opportunity to visit one of the most well-known electronic music festivals throughout Spain.

Lemon POP Festival

If you like indie music, then this September festival is one that you don't want to miss out on. The Lemon POP Festival has been running since 1996 and year after year it brings unbeatable indie artists to the region. There have been many famous artists who have played on the stages of this highly acclaimed music festival, such as Nacha Pop and Vetusta Morla; two great icons of the indie world that cannot be missed.

And if you're wondering how much money you will have to save to make sure you don't miss out on this event... worry no further. It's free! Yes, you read that right, in Murcia you can enjoy the best indie festival going without paying a single penny.

Traditional festivals in Murcia

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Semana Santa in Murcia is a festival that is declared to be of International Touristic Interest and it is celebrated every year between Friday of Sorrows and Easter Sunday. During these 10 days, all of the devoted Christians take to the streets to admire the beauty and passion that the 15 brotherhoods create as they dedicate themselves to parading day after day, giving their bodys and souls to the Christian tradition. On the day of this religious celebration, every year the Virgen de la Fuensanta, the patron saint of Murcia, is lowered from her sanctuary and taken to the cathedral so that she is present during the festivities. She is then later returned to her sanctuary at the end of the Spring festivities.

The Semana Santa processions in Murcia are unique in Spain; the display of colors, aromas and drums make these ten days an unforgettable festival. It's televised year after year for those who can't enjoy the experience in person and, for those who can attend in person, there are several surprises in store. If you go, don't forget to take a rucksack, because just like they used to do when they gave out goods to the most needy, nowadays the brotherhoods distribute sweets, ribbons and gifts to all the attendees so that you can take a little piece of Easter home with you.

You will be left speechless when you see the costumes of the brothers, when you hear the horns beeping and the drums banging, and especially when you see the first day of Holy Week, Good Friday, where they mix the artistic with the spiritual and put all of the processions, paintings and sculptures of Francisco Salzillo on display.

This display of flowers, art and faith is so powerful that every year, thousands of tourists go to take part in the event. Don't be silly and miss out on something as amazing as this, soak up the Murcian culture!

Fiestas de Primavera

The Fiestas de la Primavera are some of the most important and significant celebrations to take place in Murcia; they date back centuries. They are usually celebrated just after Semana Santa finishes, it's the best time to go and visit Murcia if you want to fully submerge yourself into Murcian tradition.

During this time, the entire city is dyed with the colours that make up the citizens costumes that they wear to enjoy a week full of the many different parades and festivities that invade the city, to pay homage to the traditions that have been preserved since ancient times in la Huerta Murciana. The stalls and the traditional costumes of la Huerta, become the stars of the show at these festivals, which are bursting with music and good atmosphere between visitors and local inhabitants. Young people come together with old people, who know first hand what it's like to work in la Huerta de Murcia so that they can share this time of happiness and celebration together.

If you haven't tried the typical Murcian tapas, this is the time to do it, wherever you go, you will find stalls where you can enjoy all of the flavours that make up the most traditional dishes in the region.

The whole city leaves their worries behind and gives everything they've got to these celebrations, so don't think about it too much, just let yourself be carried away by the true spirit of la Huerta.

Bando de la Huerta

During the Fiestas de la Primavera, on the first Tuesday after Semana Santa, Bando de la Huerta takes place, which is an annually celebrated event that is recognised as being of International Touristic Interest.

Everybody dresses in their best, locally-made outfits to start the day by offering flowers to the Virgin at the famous Murcia Cathedral. Celebrations then continue through the afternoon as there is a parade that runs through the main streets of Murcia with floats that give out typical items from La Huerta to everybody there; if you're lucky you will leave with a few little treats yourself!

But Bando de la Huerta doesn't stop there, in reality by that point it's barely started. For everyone from the youngest of people to the party-lovers, this day is an excuse to drink and have fun out in the streets of Murcia. The entire city becomes a huge festival filled with music, alcohol and fun, with the peculiarity that everyone is dressed in the typical clothing of La Huerta. In the Plaza de la Merced you can enjoy the stalls and the atmosphere there with the rhythm of the music played by the DJ whilst dancing with your friends, you won't want to miss the biggest party in all of Murcia!

Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine)

This festival is also celebrated every year on the first Saturday after Semana Santa and, just like with Bando de la Huerta, it is recognised as being of International Touristic Interest.

At the Burrial of the Sardine, everybody in the city goes out into the streets to see this extraordinary parade that runs through the streets of Murcia, to end the Fiestas de la Primavera as it is the final festival of the season. Citizens get together in different groups known as the "grupos sardineros", in which they then name one man as the "Gran Pez" (the big fish) and one woman as "Doña Sardina" (Lady Sardine), who then act as the festival godparents.

These "sardineros" then take charge of bringing life to the streets of Murcia all week with music and different rituals. At the same time, during the day of the burial, different mythological themed floats and carriages parade the streets, giving out gifts and toys to all those who attend.

This festival ends in the early hours of the morning with the burning of the sardine and with a huge, impressive firework display. You could call it a bonfire of pure craziness and excitement.

Religious festivals in Murcia

Moros y Cristianos

This Murcian celebration is considered as being a Festival of National Touristic Interest and has been held every year during the first week of September since 1983.

Year after year, the people of Murcia long for the end of September to come around. Summer finishes, everybody comes back from their holidays and you would think that that means everyone goes back to daily life, but no; not in Murcia. You could say that this celebration takes place so that coming back from the holidays is not such a shock to the system, but in fact, its origin dates back forty years ago and it was first took place to celebrate nothing other than the city's birthday.

During the week, parades of different groups of Moors and Christians (the original founding groups were the Mudéjares, Abderramán II, Ib-Arabí and Aben-Mardenix for the Moorish side and the Knights of the Temple for the Christian side) flood the streets of Murcia. Everybody goes out each day and night, to eat, drink and have a great time with the Kabyles and the Murcian restaurants, in the booths that they set up for the festival.

To make the most out of these celebrations, we recommend that you go to the Jardín del Malecón, during the Feria de Murcia, as it will be full of Kabyles and groups of supporters, as well as people who are there to have a good time across the whole week. You will also find huts where they sell typical products of La Huerta, it's impossible to not feel like you're from Murcia!

The pilgrimage of the Virgen de la Fuensanta

After a week of partying and fun during the annual Moros y Cristianos festival, you have to go back to reality and put an end to the Feria de Murcia. To do so, the Virgen de la Fuensanta has to be put back inside the Santuario del Monte. This Virgin is the patron saint of Murcia, and the one that they take from the sanctuary and take to the Murcia Cathedral every year during the patron saint celebrations as part of their tradition.

This ritual starts in the early hours of the morning on the very last day. The route starts at the Murcia Cathedral and runs through the streets followed by its faithful inhabitants of the region who decide to participate in this procession until reaching the first stop, at the Iglesia del Carmen. From there the journey starts towards the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta followed by all of the people, where a mass then takes place in on the terrace and the Virgin is left there. When that's finished, as part of the tradition they make a popular meal for everyone there under the shade of the pines.

Other festivals

Carnaval de Águilas

On the events calendar, one that stands out the most is the famous Carnaval de Águilas, which has also been recognised as a celebration of International Touristic Interest since 2015. It takes place just before lent as part of Semana Santa. The carnival that we know today has two parts to it: the daytime carnival, which is famous for its huge display of luxury and beauty that adorn the floats that parade through the streets of the city; and the nighttime carnival, where parties and fun flood the streets and Plaza de España with everyone dressed up to have a great time. If you want to go for just one day, I'd advise you to go on the Monday, it's the best night!

With ESN you will find everything easier; every year they organise the Carnaval de Águilas and they offer 10% discount at the Megumi Fiestas shop so that you can go with a cool outfit.

Cartagineses y Romanos

The celebrations of the Cartagineses y Romanos (Carthaginians and Romans) takes place during the second fortnight of September in the city of Cartagena, which is located in the South of Murcia, to commemorate the history of the city. They recreate a historical event that took place right there during the Second Punic War (which took place between 218 and 201 BC), and was the beginning of Qart Hadasht, which is now known as Cartagena.

These festivals have been declared of International Tourist Interest since 2017, so you cannot miss them. For two weeks, the city is flooded with parades of Carthaginians and Romans who are dressed for the occasion and who are preparing to give their all in the final great battle, which takes place on the second Friday in the Punic Wall of Cartagena. Every year a large part of the Cartagena population participates in this battle to out on a show both to the rest of the inhabitants, and to the tourists who come to witness the great event.

Also, if you want to fully live a Carthaginian experience, go to the camp, which is located next to the Estadio Cartagonova. It is divided into two parts, the Carthaginian side and the Roman side; both streets are full of booths where you can stop for tapas or have a drink during the day, as well as dance and have a great time at night. If you are a bigger fan of pure excitement and emotion, try to get on the rides at the fair, these festivals really don't miss anything!

Finally, if you want to take home a souvenir from you visit, go and see the stalls at the artisan market that they set up next to the camp, in the park next to the Cartagonova, they have everything from handmade jewelery and soaps, to traditional foods and sweets that you can sink your teeth into.

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