May 1 to 3 The Cruces de Mayo, May Crosses celebrations in Cartagena

Lots of live music and 50 outdoor bars in the centre of Cartagena over the weekend

Over the long weekend of 1^st to 3^rd May the municipality of Cartagena joins many others across Spain in 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 around outdoor bar-terraces are being 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, especially in the Plazas of San Francisco, del Rey, Icue, La Merced, Risueño, Poeta Juan Jorquera del Valle, Condesa de Peralta and the Ayuntamiento.

In addition, various others are located in surrounding and outlying districts.

The most important of the Crosses is set up on the Cuesta de la Baronesa, where the Grupo Folclórico Ciudad de Cartagena from La Palma has its own programme on Saturday 2^nd May:

18.00: Children’s workshops.

19.00: A parade to visit numerous of the Crosses.

20.30: Children’s dance and song groups.

21.00: The cross is illuminated.

21.30_ The folk group’s main performance of the evening.

21:30h. Actuación del Grupo Folclórico.

Other evening music in the city is provided by Suleya, Canela en Rama, Filiu, Micol, Adrián Ruiz and Los Elementos, while in the Town Hall the days conclude with shows by Maki y María Artés on 1^st May at 20.30, a tribute to El Barrio on 2^nd May at 20.30 and Maribel Castillo with Faustino on 3^rd May at 12.00 midday.

On a practical level, it’s worth mentioning that public toilets are being installed in Calle Arena, Plaza del Par, Calle Escorial, Calle del Aire, Calle Jara, Calle Cuatro Santos, Calle Pozico, Calle Don Roque and Plaza San Agustín!

Image: Felipe G.Pagán (Ayto Cartagena)

For more local visiting information go to the Cartagena section of Murcia Today.