ARCHIVED - September 30 to October 9 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 one of the chief novelties is that a new Recinto Ferial or fairground will be hosting the majority of the celebrations in the Nueva Espuña residential development on the western edge of the town.

This fairground will be hosting 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 which is being held in the Plaza de la Constitución between September 30 and October 2, while the musical entertainment includes performances by Los Secretos and La Frontera.

At the fairground a special “quiet period” has been included at the fairground for those with problems associated with autism every day between 18.00 and 20.00, while back in the town centre a day fair is being held on October 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 from 13.00 to 20.00 (except 18.30 on October 8).

The program for the Feria de Alhama de Murcia 2022 includes the following:

Saturday September 24

16.00: The 12th annual “Villa de Alhama” classic car and motorcycle rally, beginning with registration in the Parque de La Cubana. There is then a tour around the town with various stops for displays before music is provided by Rockola.

20.00: Fundraising festival for the AECC cancer charity at the Casa de Cultura (dontaions 5 euros).

Wednesday September 28

20.30: Opening of the 12th annual ornithological exhibition at the “Zona Sur” car wash on the Carretera de Cartagena.

Thursday September 29

20.00: Opening of the exhibition “Ilustrísimas, Cien Retratos, Ciento Unas Historias”, watercolours by José María Cánovas Vera at the Los Baños Archaeological Museum (until October 28).

Friday September 30

17.00: Opening of the Zoco market (lasting until October 2) in the Plaza de la Constitución. Opening hours 17.00 to 21.00.

18.00: Opening of the fairground attractions.

19.00: Opening of the bars and food stalls at the fairground.

20.00: The lights are switched on at the new fairground in Nueva Espuña, where the marquees of the “peña” feria groups are located.

20.00: Fundraising ham slicing event at the fairground to raise money for the AECC.

23.00: EBONY party featuring hits from the 80s and 90s with DJs Paco Espadas and Pepe Medina at the fairground.

23.00: Live entertainment in the peñas’ marquees as they open for the Feria.

23.00 to 6.00: Music at the fairground.

Saturday October 1

11.00 to 21.00: The Zoco market opens again in the Plaza de la Constitución.

12.00: Clay workshop for children at the Zoco in the Plaza de la Constitución.

13.00: Opening of the Day Fair, with plenty of gastronomy stands in the Parque de La Cubana.

16.30: Tributo a Pereza perform live at the at the Day Fair.

19.00: Keyring workshop for children at the Zoco in the Plaza de la Constitución.

19.30: The groups taking part in the 42nd annual folk festival are greeted by representatives of the local council at the Town Hall.

20.00: The peñas each deliver a t-shirt for display in the window of the Alhama de Murcia tourist office.

20.30: The official opening speech of the Feria in the Plaza de La Constitución.

21.30: The 42nd annual folk festival begins at the Auditorio Municipal Tierno Galván, organized by the Grupo de Coros y Danzas Virgen del Rosario de Alhama.

23.30: A tribute to pop group Mecano, Barco a Venus El Musical and Grupo Spoti perform at the fairground.

23.00 to 6.00: Music at the fairground.

Sunday October 2

10.30: Fundraising dance morning at the Auditorio Municipal ‘Tierno Galván’ in Parque de La Cubana to support the Creciendo Juntos association, featuring Centro Belén López Trainer and Paso a Paso, Jennifer Rojo. Lugar. Donations 5 euros, free for under-12s.

11.00 to 21.00: The Zoco market opens again in the Plaza de la Constitución.

16.30: Music at the Day Fair.

17.00: Radio-controlled car race at the marquee of Peña Trakas.

19.00: The 37th Town Bands competition begins with a musical parade from the Plaza de la Constitución.

19.30: The bands perform at the Teatro Cine Velasco. Taking part are the Asociación Amigos de la Música de Lorquí and the local Ateneo Músico Cultural Maestro José Antonio Ayala. Admission free of charge.

20.00: Dance exhibition by the Alhanza dance school at the fairground.

22.00: Live music from FYV Band at the fairground.

Tuesday October 4

16.30: Children’s gymkhana at the fairground.

17.00: FIFA PS5 tournament at the peñas’ marquees in the fairground.

18.00 to midnight: Children’s day at the fairground, rides just 1 euro at the fairground.

20.00: Trío Yomaje perform live at the Auditorio Municipal Tierno Galván. Admission free of charge.

Wednesday October 5

17.00: Football-tennis tournament at the peñas’ marquees in the fairground.

19.00: Slow bike riding tournament at the peñas’ marquees in the fairground.

19.30: Ogro El Musical, a tribute to Shrek for children at the Auditorio Municipal Tierno Galván. Admission free of charge.

20.00: An exhibition of table grapes and other local atricultural produce opens at the Casa de la Cultura.

Thursday October 6

16.30: Music at the fairground.

19.30: Migas competition in the car park on Calle del Molino, prior registration required at the Casa de Cultura before October 3.

23.00: Remember festival at the peñas’ marquees in the fairground.

Midnight: La Noche de que te Hablé perform at the fairground, supported by Traspié.

3.00 to 6.00: Music at the fairground.

Friday October 7, the feast day of Nuestra Señora del Rosario

10.00: Hot chocolate with churros for all at the church of San Lázaro.

10.30: Parade of Giants and Bigheads through the streets of Alhama, with music from the Ateneo Músico Cultural Maestro José Antonio Ayala.

11.00 to 13.00: Aves con Arte, a workshop to celebrate World Birdlife Day, providing an opportunity to learn about birds living locally and to create your own bird using everyday items. Venue: Parque de la Cubana.

11.30: Floral offering to the patron of Alhama, the Virgen del Rosario, at the church of San Lázaro (starting in the Jardín de Los Patos).

12.00: Holy Mass in honour of the Virgen del Rosario, with choral performances by the Audite Omnes choir, at the church of San Lázaro.

13.30: A Cucaña competition (walking the greasy pole) in the Parque La Cubana, Registration at the Casa de Cultura until October 5.

16.30: Music at the Day Fair.

19.00: Holy Mass at the church of San Lázaro.

19.30: Procession of the figure of Nuestra Señora del Rosario through the streets with music from the Ateneo Músico Cultural Maestro José Antonio Ayala. Route: Iglesia de San Lázaro, fairground, Calle Vergara Pérez, Plaza Vieja, Calle Larga, Calle Corredera, fairground, Iglesia San Lázaro.

23.00: Trío Acuarela perform at the fairground.

23.30: Firework display in honour of the Virgen del Rosario at the car park in Calle del Molino.

24.00: Los Secretos and La Frontera in concert in Avenida Juan Carlos I next to the Jardín de Los Patos.

23.00 to 6.00: Music at the fairground.

Saturday October 8

16.30: Parade of floats in the town centre. Route: Constitución, Sierra Espuña, Isaac Albéniz, Molino, Rambla Don Diego, Postigos, Tomás Moro, Juan Carlos I, Constitución. Floats will then go on display in Avenida de la Constitución until October 9.

23.00: Destello Show perform live at the fairground.

23.45: Unrisen Queen in Avenida Juan Carlos I next to the Jardín de Los Patos.

23.00 to 6.00: Music at the fairground.

Sunday October 9

12.30: Prizes are awarded and the table grape exhibition at the Casa de Cultura.

22.00: The Trío Reyes del Sol perform live at the fairground.

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Alhama Today.