This year, the carnival season is in full swing, with many events and parades taking place throughout the region. Murcia Dreams has prepared a top list of the best carnivals in the Murcia Region, but before that, we’ll leave here a little bit of the background of when the carnival starts in Spain and why.
Every year, both Carnival and Holy Week change dates, as both are governed by the lunar calendar. So, as Carnival precedes Lent - it is celebrated 40 days before Maundy Thursday, which this year falls on 6 April - in 2023 we will dance to its sound from 18 February to 21 February.
Saturday 18 February marks the start of the most awaited carnival after the return to normality and Sunday 19 February will be one of its most important days in Spain. The 20th of February is Carnival Monday and on the 21st the festival is coming to a close with its traditional Shrove Tuesday, which gives way to Ash Wednesday on the 22nd of February.
However, although these are the official dates, the reality is that each Carnival is governed differently and there are municipalities that extend the festive furore by several weeks. This is the case of the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas, Madrid and Cádiz, among others.
Murcia is not an exception either. Let’s discover some of the best carnivals in Costa Calida.
The Carnival of Águilas is one of the most famous carnivals in Spain and attracts visitors from all over the world. It has an old history, it is spectacular. People from neighbouring regions come to see its famous parades.
The carnival, which takes place in the town of Águilas, is known for its impressive parade floats, vibrant costumes, and lively atmosphere. The highlight of the carnival is the parade of giants and big heads, in which huge figures made of paper and wood are paraded through the streets. The carnival takes place from February 10 to March 10, 2023.
We advise you to reserve sets for some of the important parades.
The Carnival of Lorca is another popular carnival in the Murcia region. The carnival is known for its impressive and colourful costumes, as well as its live music and dancing.
The highlight of the carnival is the parade of the seven sins, in which participants dress up in costumes representing the seven deadly sins. Lorca is a very religious city with its special tradition of celebrating of Easter.
The carnival takes place from February 11 to February 25, 2023. You will be able to see an amazing performance in “Teatro Guerra” on Saturday 25 February, with the marvellous dances on which participants of the carnival have been working for months and months.
The Carnival of Cartagena is a family-friendly carnival with a variety of events and activities for all ages. The carnival is known for its street performances, live music, dancing, and impressive parade floats.
The highlight of the carnival is the grand parade, which takes place on the last day of the carnival. The carnival takes place from February 10 to February 23, 2023.
The last day of the carnival will be celebrated with the parade and the burning of Don Carnal, and the tasting of the Tetillas de doña Cuaresma, and the balls of Don Carnal.
The Carnival of Murcia is a traditional carnival with a long history in the region. The carnival is known for its impressive parade floats, as well as its traditional costumes and music.
The best-known fiestas in Murcia are those of Cabezo de Torres and Beniaján. In the first district, the parades take place on Sunday 19th, Monday 20th, Tuesday 21st and Saturday 25th. The parade on Tuesday is usually the one that attracts the most people to the town, as it is the day on which the troupes bring out their best new costumes, with which they compete for the prizes awarded before the closing ceremony.
For its part, Beniaján has an extensive programme of at least a dozen activities for all generations in these celebrations, which are now in their 53rd year.
The carnival's highlight is the sardine parade, in which a giant paper mache sardine is paraded through the streets before being set on fire in a traditional ceremony.
The Carnival of Cabezo de Torres is a local carnival with a strong community feel. The carnival is known for its colourful parade floats, lively music, and dancing. The highlight of the carnival is the parade of the carnival queen and her court, in which the most beautiful and talented women in the region compete for the title of carnival queen. The carnival takes place from February 17 to March 1, 2023.
The program of each carnival is unique so it’s worth visiting all of them. Despite this however, all the carnivals have common events, such as the grand parade, children's parade, adults' parade, theatre plays, and of course the famous burial of the Sardine.
In conclusion, the carnival season in Murcia is a time of celebration, music, and joy. With so many great carnivals taking place in the region, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So why not put on a costume, join in the festivities, and experience the magic of carnival in Murcia for yourself?
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