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October 1 to 20 The annual Feria de Alhama de Murcia continues well into the month!
A month of celebrations and events begins in the centre of Alhama
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 the Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña (or fairground) once again hosts the majority of the celebrations on the western edge of the town.
This fairground is 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 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 in the following timeframes:
October 2, 3, 6, 9, 10 and 11; 19.00 to 3.00.
October 4, 5, 7, 8 and 12; 19.00 to 1.00.
The train runs from Calle San Francisco Javier (outside the Casa Américas) to the fairground and tickets are just 50 cents.
The schedule for the month of October includes the following:
Friday October 2
20.00: The lights are switched on at the fairground, which remains in place until 11th October (usually opening at 19.00).
23.00: Live music from Dextremo, a tribute to the group Extremo Duro, at the fairground.
23.05: The fiestas groups’ marquees officially open at the fairground.
Saturday October 3
11.00 to 21.00: The Feria market continues in the Plaza de las Américas.
10.00: Guided tour of Alhama de Murcia in English, visiting some of the best-known and important buildings and locations in the town. Registration costs 3 euros for adults and 2 euros for children aged 3 to 12 and is available online here or through the tourist office (telephone 968 633512).
11.30: The same guided tour is held in Spanish, registration available online here.
13.00: The opening of the day fair in Calle Paraguay, between the swimming pool and the ‘Adolfo Suarez’ sports pavilion. The fair opens on October 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11 from 13.00 to 20.00. The fair runs until 12th October.
21.00: The official opening speech of the Feria and the firing of the starting rocket in the Plaza de la Constitución.
21.45: The National Folk Music and Dancing Festival in the Plaza de la Constitución, featuring the "María del Mar Sillero" group from Málaga, the “Grup de danses Arcude de Vall d'Uixó” (from Castellón) and the local Grupo de Coros y Danzas Virgen del Rosario de Alhama de Murcia.
23.00: Germán Meoro performs big Spanish pop hits at the fairground.
Sunday October 4
11.00 to 21.00: The Feria market continues in the Plaza de las Américas.
15.00: A DJ set at the fairground followed by a live performance by Marlene in the marquee in Calle Paraguay.
19.15: The bands taking bard in the Festival de Bandas de Música gather for a reception in the Plaza de la Constitución.
19.30: The groups begin a musical parade through the streets.
20.00: On their return to the Plaza de la Constitución the bands take part in a concert, led by the band of the Ateneo Músico Cultural Maestro José Antonio Ayala de Alhama de Murcia.
20.30: Display by the Alhanza dance school at the fairground.
22.00: All-time favourite hits from La Década de tu Vida at the fairground.
Monday October 5
19.00: Children’s day at the fairground until midnight, almost all rides just 1.50 euros
22.00: Swing live in concert at the fairground.
Tuesday October 6
20.00: The opening of the annual Table Grape display at the Casa de la Cultura.
20.30: Hércules y la Fuerza del Destinao, children’s theatre in the Plaza de la Constitución.
23.00: Live music from Legado, a tribute to El Barrio, at the fairground.
Wednesday October 7, the Fest Day of the Virgen del Rosario
7.30: Rosario de la Aurora, prayers and music with the Aurora de Alhama, first at the church of Los Dolores, then in the parish church of San Lázaro.
9.30 to 13.00: Guided hike on the mountain of La Muela, observing the birdlife and natural surroundings. Route 5 km, relatively easy terrain but not suitable for under-9s. Registration by telephone on 968 431430 or by email at infosierraespuna@carm.es.
10.00: Hot chocolate for all at the church of San Lázaro.
10.30: Musical street parade with Giants and Bigheads, with the band of the Ateneo Músico Cultural Maestro ‘José Antonio Ayala’.
11.30: Floral offering to the Virgen del Rosario at the church of San Lázaro, parade beginning in the Jardín de Los Patos.
12.00: Holy Mass dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario with music from the Audite Omnes choir in the church of San Lázaro.
13.30: The “cucaña”, walking the greased pole competition in Calle Paraguay for both men and women. Those wishing to take part can register at the Casa de Cultura until 3rd October.
19.30: Procession of the figure of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, with music once again from the band of the Ateneo Músico Cultural Maestro “José Antonio Ayala”. Route: church of San Lázaro, La Feria, Vergara Pérez, Plaza Vieja, Larga, Corredera, La Feria, church of San Lázaro.
21.30: Music from Aires de Espuña at the fairground.
23.00: Firework display at the parachute and paraglider landing ground.
Thursday October 8
19.00: Children’s day at the fairground until midnight, almost all rides just 1.50 euros
Friday October 9
18.00: Music with Bad Lands and José Hernández DJ in the marquee on Calle Paraguay.
19.30: Migas competition at the car park on Calle del Molino.
23.00: The music and light show ADHOLIFE at the fairground.
23.00: Another spectacular show in Avenida Juan Carlos I with ORQUESTA LA MUNDIAL.
Saturday October 10
10.00: Guided tour in English, “El Berro, the gateway to Sierra Espuña”. Visit the village of El Berro in the mountains of Sierra Espuña, with the tour free of charge: click here for further details. The starting point is the car park outside the Sierra Espuña campsite in the village.
16.30: Float parade in the town centre. Route: Avenida de la Constitución, Calle Sierra Espuña, Calle Isaac Albéniz, Calle Molino, Rambla Don Diego, Calle Postigos, Calle Tomás Moro, Avenida de la Constitución.
The floats remain on display on Avenida de la Constitución until the following day.
22.30: Concert with ISABEL AAIÚN “La potra salvaje” and RUTH LORENZO on Avenida Juan Carlos I, alongside the Jardín de Los Patos.
Sunday October 11
10.00: Guided tour in Spanish, “El Berro, la puerta de Sierra Espuña”. Visit the village of El Berro in the mountains of Sierra Espuña, with the tour free of charge. The starting point is the car park outside the Sierra Espuña campsite in the village.
10.30: Canine cross-country, “Mi Princesa Rett”, in the Plaza de la Constitución. Competitor Numbers available from 10.30, start 11.00, Price 3 euros to be donated to the Asociación Mi Princesa Rett.
16.00: a Remember musical party at the Day Fair in the marquee on Calle Paraguay.
19.00 to midnight: Two-for-the-price-of one offer at the fairground.
23.00: Live music with SERENDIPITY at the fairground.
Monday October 12, the national day of Spain
12.00: Closing ceremony of the Table Grape show at the Casa de Cultura.
12.00: Charity ham slicing and tasting at the fairground to raise funds for the Fundación Never Surrender cancer charity.
Friday October 16
18.00: The 18th Milla Urbana Feria de Alhama mile race on Avenida Juan Carlos I, registration on www.famu.es.
19.30: The opening of the exhibition ZANGAMANGA 16 (until 29th October) at the Casa de Cultura.
20.30: AFA Levante Charity gala at the Teatro Cine Velasco (admission 5 euros).
Saturday October 17
16.30: The ZEBADERO 7.0. music festival with shows by Txarly Usher, Turböt, El Koño de la Bernarda, Simuläkra, Zorrera, Órbita Kadáver, Metro a Berlín, Zuriak, Proyecto Amenaza and Acho Kadhe at Espacio Joven La Estación. Admission free of charge.
Sunday October 18
8.00: The Feria de Alhama hike, two distances available, staring in the Plaza de la Constitución. Further information from Alhama Club de Orientación y Montaña.
Monday October 19, the La Virgen de La Fuensanta visits Alhama de Murcia
The figure of the patron of the city of Murcia arrives in the Barrio de los Dolores at 19.30 to be welcomed by Town Hall dignitaries before being taken to the church of La Concepción. Route: Calle Virgen de los Dolores, Sánchez Vivancos, Sánchez Vidal, Corredera, Rambla Don Diego, La Concepción.
She then continues the church of San Lázaro Obispo (route: Acequia Espuña, Florencio Javaloy, Avda. Sierra Espuña, San Francisco Javier, Postigos, Ayuntamiento de Alhama de Murcia, Postigos, Tomás Moro, Juan Carlos I, Feria, San Lázaro Obispo).
Here Mass is held and hot chocolate is served before a prayer vigil during the night.
Tuesday October 20
17.00: A farewell Mass is held with choral music by Audites Omnes, before the Virgen de la Fuensanta departs for the El Pozo factory and then the cemetery, where prayers are said and a Salve is sung.
