MORE IDEAS OF WHERE TO GO AND THINGS TO DO

For more ideas of where to go and things to see, check out Simply Networkings fantastic page of ideas, they have over 70 ideas of things to see and do in the region

http://www.simplynetworking.es/where-to-go-in-murcia.html

CHOCOLATEMANIA FAIR IN MURCIA

From the 8th of April till the 24th of April there will be a chocoholics heaven in Santo Domingo Square in Murcia "Plaza de Santo Domingo"

It will be open from 11am till 2pm and then from 5pm till 9pm every day


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La Feria de Chocomania

II FESTIVAL MUSICANDO - FREE MUSIC IN SQUARES OF MURCIA

Throughout April, May and June there will be free music in the squares and streets of Murcia, Finishing off on the 21st of June for THE DAY OF EUROPEAN MUSIC.

There are lost of different styles of music, with Flamenco, wind and string cuartets, piano, saxafonists. So head up to Murcia and enjoy.

Below is the Map of locations and the programme.

FREE CYCLING TOURS ROUND MURCIA

Do You enjoy cycling? you don´t have to be a super cycler to enjoy these programes Murcia are putting on each saturday, The ofice of cycling are trying to get people into enjoying and using this form of transport by putting on, guided itineraries around Murcia.



The tours will show Murcia and its surroundings, at a leisurely speed, and will show the bike firendly streets of Murcia. These free tours hope to show people not only the city but also how cycling is a healthier and more enviro friendly form of transport.





TIME: From 10am to 2pm on saturdays at the Plaza Belluga, (where the cathedral is) infront of the Moneo Building.

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COST: Free, but must preinscribe via phone 968212518



5th February "from garden to garden by bike! "
19th February "The friendly streets of Murcia- La Ñora"
5th March "Carnaval by Bike, get in costume,"
19th March "Fathers day, with daddy by bike"
2nd April "The friendly streets Murcia- Aljucer"
16th April " Solidarity bikes"
7th May "The friendly streets Murcia - Monteagudo"



So what do you need? a bike, an urge to do something new and learn about what murcia has to offer and find places you never knew existed :)

CHRISTMAS ARTESAN MARKET MURCIA

There is a large Christmas Artesan Market in Murcia from now up till 5th of January.

There is over 98 stands

Time: 10.00 to 14:00

17:00 to 21:00

Location:

Paseo Alfonso x El sabio- Murcia

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See location map above, its on the road going down from the plaza circulat roundabout (on the map named "EL TONTODROMO")

MURCIA SIGHTSEEING AND CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRIP

There is a coach trip organised from Mar Menor golf Resort on the 9th of December 2010, to Murcia, see below for details:

TAPAS TRAIL MURCIA

From the 23rd November 2010 to the 3rd December 2010 there will be a tapas trail around Murcia.

Price 2euros for a tapa and a drink (soft drink, beer or wine)

These are great fun and a superb way to try different tapas and discover new bars and restaurants you would have never found.

There are almost 40 establishments participating and each one will have a different tapa on sale.
You can pick up the programme with the map in the first bar you go to, but below is a copy to get you started and to plan your route.

 The idea is you go round at least 6 establishments try their speciality tapa, you get a stamp for each tapa tried. You are suposed to vote on the tapa and give it marks out of 5. The place with the most marks will win.
Also if you get at least 6 stamps you can post it i one of the special urns in the plaza cardenal and be i with the chance of 3 special prizes.
Prize 1st - your weight in Beer (estrella levante)
Prize 2nd - A christmas Hamper
Prize 3rd- A variety of hams and a meal or dinner for 4 in the Restaurante Abrasador Canovas.

So go and Enjoy :)

WINE TASTING IN MURCIA

Wine tasting in Murcia from Thursday 25th of November 2010 to Sunday 28th of November 2010
From 15:00 to 18:00
And 20:00 to 23:00
Location Plaza de la Universidad, Murcia. See map below

According to the Poster

3 wine tastings (which is normally a whole glass) plus a cristal wine glass = 5 euros

Plate of cheese = 2 euros

Plate of ham= 5 euros

So for 12 euros you can have, plate of cheese, ham, 3 wines and a glass!

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NUTCRACKER - MURCIA

Ballet? you do not need to speak spanish to enjoy ballet, on the 23rd of December at 8pm in Murcia they are holding the performance of "THE NUTCRACKER"

The Moscow Ballet www.sistemaproducciones.com  will be performing,with music from Tchaikovsky. You can purchase tickets here: http://www.ticktackticket.com/ttt/minternet/PKG_TTSAC.TTTLink_lista?claves=.&p_frames=2&p_operador=AUMU prices from 20 euros

BONFIRE NIGHT AND TREASURE HUNT AT MAR MENOR GOLF

Tommorrow night - remember remember the 5th of November, well get down to Mar Menor Golf Resort

for 7.30pm

Then on the 14th of November there is  treasure hunt! details above, but note you must book your place by 7th November

Enjoy!

OUTLET FAIR IN MURCIA

The third Feria Outlet will be held in Murcia from the 14th to the 17th October

From 10:00am to 14:00pm and then from 17:00 to 21:00

There will be 124 outlets with over 50% discounts!
63- women's fashion
1 - men's fashion
23 - children´s fashion
10 - men and women's shoes
5- decoration
4 - Opticians
2- Underwear
2 - Home
and also a few for pets, computers, haberdashery,jewellry and presents.

It is to be held in the Plaza San Domingo

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Great for early Christmas shopping?

BEER FESTIVAL

German Beer Festival

in

Murcia

OKTOBERFEST

German beers and typical food and music

Jardines del Malecon

From 1pm to 1am

Jardines del Malecon are easy to find, Go to Murcia and then take the turning to the Cathedral and the Jardines are just there on your right.

ROMERIA DE LA VIRGEN DE FUENSANTA

Tommorrow morning at 7am the Virgen Of Fuensanta is taken from the Square of Murcia (Plaza Belluga) up to the Sanctuary which takes approximatly 4 hours.

Over half a million people come to watch the virgen being taken back up to the sanctuary, these people come from all over the south east of Spain.

Around The Sanctuary people congregate tonight to wait for her arrival the next day, they camp out over night and there are folkloric dances. The area is full of happiness and tradition.

Some even walk the way on their knees

Showers of petals are also very traditional
location of the Sanctuary

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MURCIA POP

Free Pop Concert in Murcia



Starts at 9pm and is held at Nueva Condomina shopping Mall, which is up in Murcia close to Ikea.

TAPAS ROUTE IN BULLAS

What a perfect way to get to explore a town and experience new foods.

The Town of Bullas is holding a Tapas Trail till the 19th of September

Various bars and restaurants are participating. You basically follow the map and go to each bar and have their speciality tapa and a drink (can be wine, beer or soft drink) for a mere 2 euros. You also vote for the one you think is best! See Below for map and which bars are participating.



I did this in Cartagena and it was great fun. See
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/tapas-trail-update.html

Bullas is a pretty little town, which is famous for its wine.

Below is a google map of where Bullas is located.

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Enjoy

FERIA OF MURCIA - FESTIVAL OF FIREWORKS

Throughout the Feria of Murcia there will be a Festival of Fireworks.

These will be held throughout the city.

With huge displays of fireworks.

TUESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
10PM. Recinto Ferial FICA.
This is "the day of the child" too, so all fairground rides are at discounted price and only 1.50 euros.

FRIDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER
21,30 PM. Ayuntamiento de Murcia. (TOWNHALL OF MURCIA)

SUNDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER
10PM. Jardines del Malecón. Recinto de los Huertos.
This is "Murcia day" and tons going on at the Jardines del Malecon.

For more info of whats going on at the Feria, and map of where the above locations are, click here.

http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/feria-murcia.html

FERIA - MURCIA

This is a massive event in Murcia running from the 2nd of September to the 14th of September. With absolutely tons going on and well worth a visit or two!

1) The Feria - (Fun fair) - This starts on the 2nd and will run through to the 15th of September, It is being held at the "Recinto de la Fica" with has recently been enlarged to 46.000 m2 !

On the 7th of September it is "The day of the Child" so all the fairground attractions will be at a reduced price.

2) Festival Internacional de Folklore en el Mediterraneo - This runs from the 6th to the 10th of September in various locations and squares around the city. With exhibitions, performances, cinema and music. Click the foto below to go to the events page of what and where its being held.
3) Huertos del Malecon - Runs from the 2nd to the 13th of September. The Botanical garden of Malecon - turns into a place where the "huertanos" set up camp, and throughout this time, you can experience superb food, musical performances, exhibitions.
On the 12th of September its "Murcia Day" and you will be able to experience typical murcian food for free, there will be a mass, a parade with giants and bigheaded people?, childrens workshops and much more. This kicks of at 9.30am and runs through into the night.
Throughout the rest of the week, it starts at 7pm and Free muscial performances are on at 10pm. To see the full programme (in Spanish) click the foto of the lady in the big skirt.

Tagged on to this one is the "Food and wine tasting event" This has a cost of 8 euros to enter, and then once inside there are lots of different stands offering samples of their produce, mostly free but sometimes at a small cost. This is a great way to find new things to eat and drink. The Bodegas of Jumilla (12 in total) Bullas (2) and Yecla will be particiapting, alongside tapas, cheeses, meats and icecreams!
For more info and pictures of our trip to the exhibition click here
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/09/feria-de-murcia-wine-and-tapas.html

4) Moros y Cristianos -(Moors and Christians) 5th to 14th September. This will take place on the camping ground of the Botanical garden, the same as the above events.
5th September - midday they will parade and hand out programmes to the festivities.
6th September - at 8pm, they will parade around Plaza Santo Domingo. Then at 10pm they will open the campment area and medieval market situated at the botanical garden.
7th September - from 6pm to 9pm. At the botanical garden there will be a childrens funfair and archery, both of these will be free.
8th September - from 6pm to 9pm. At the Botanical Garden there will be the childrens funfair, archery and a childrens painting competition. All free. At midnight there will be chocolate and donuts!
9th September . At 7.30pm there will be a big children's party and the prizes for the drawing competition will be handed out. And at Midnight there will be a Party for the older ones. All Free.
11th September- at 11am there will be a parade throughout the city and again at 9pm
12th September - At miday there will be a childrens parade
There is more going on but have just picked out the most interesting, to see the full programme in Spanish click the foto below.
5) The Feria of the Bull. 6th to the 18th of September, there will be various bullfights held. You can see the programme by clicking the picture below.

A programme of what bullfights are on is below

All will be held at the bullring in Murcia and tickets can be bought via internet
http://www.plazatorosmurcia.com/

So all in all absolutely tons to do, I will add everything onto the events calender so you can see by the day, whats going on.
Below is a google map with all the locations on.
The arrow is on where I pressume the Feria is, and then just to the right of the A30 road you can see the Jardin Botanico (where most of the above events are being held.)

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FIESTAS AND FESTIVALS

In this Blog Post, I am going to keep a running list of what Fiestas and Festivals are on throughout the year, as the dates do not vary much and this means that by the time this blog is a year old, we will have a running archive of whats on, for next year.
Often the programmes do not come out till just before, so until I can get all the information will just put a link to a spanish site which gives last years programme. This post will be permanently listed on the site under "posts to keep your eye on for updates"


JUNE

16th-22nd June - Fiestas Patronales de San Pedro de Pinatar
http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,0,c,369,m,0&r=AgP-20758-DETALLE_EVENTO

JULY 25th June- 30th July 2011 - San Javier Jazz Festival
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/06/san-javier-jazz-festival.html

10th - 18th July - Fiestas patronales de Aviles
http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,0,c,369,m,0&r=AgP-20880-DETALLE_EVENTO

1st to 31st July 2011 - Mar de Musicas - Cartagena - music and performances throughout the city
http://www.lamardemusicas.com/2011/08072011.htm

16th - 21st August - Fiestas Patronales de Santiago de la Ribera
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/los-alcazares-santiago-de-la-ribera-and.html

25th July - Day of Santiago Apostol - Santiago de la Ribera - procession - mass and "la Cucaña" (boys try and walk a slìppery plank over the sea to win a leg of ham)
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-of-santiago-apostol.html

28th - 31st July - Festival de Flamenco VA - Sucina - Free Flamenco performances at the Cultural centre from 10pm
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/free-flamenco-festival-sucina.html

AUGUST16th July- 21st August - Fiestas patronales de Santiago de la Ribera
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/los-alcazares-santiago-de-la-ribera-and.html

3rd- 14th August - Cante de las Minas - La Union - Flamenco Festival
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-festivals-around-murcia-2010_02.html

3rd- 24th August - Festival of Theatre, Music and Dance - San Javier
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-festivals-around-murcia-2010_02.html

6th, 7th, 8th August - Bullrunning and Bullfights - Cehegin
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/running-of-bulls-in-murcia.html

13th-14th August - bull running - Blanca
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/running-of-bulls-in-murcia.html

13th - 15th August - Fiestas patronales de Cabo de palos- artesan market, cucaña, verbenas, procesion maritima
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/pirate-artesan-market-and-music.html

13th to 21st August - Semana Internacional de La Huerta y El Mar - Los Alcazares - 13th-21st August - Folkloric performances, night artesan market and local dishes.
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/fiesta-la-semana-de-la-huerta-y-el-mar.html

21st to 29th August - Fiestas patronales de Roda - Roda
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/fiestas-patronales-de-roda.html

23rd- 28th August - Cante de Flamenco - Lo Ferro (Roldan) - Flamenco Festival
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/festival-internacional-de-cante.html

24th - 29th August - The Audi Med Cup and Tapas trail - Cartagena -
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/audi-med-cup-and-tapas-route.html

SEPTEMBER
2nd -14th September - Feria de Murcia - parades, wine and food tastings, funfair, music, performances, christians and moors and tons going on
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/feria-murcia.html

4th-12th September - La Aparecida Fiestas Patronales, children´s events and activities, music, processions, motorbike congregations...
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/09/la-aparecida-fiestas-patronales.html

9th- 19th September - Feria de Murcia - Bullfights
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/running-of-bulls-in-murcia.html

14th September - Romeria de la Viren Fuensanta - Murcia
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/09/romeria-de-la-virgen-de-fuensanta.html

17th-26th September - Cartagineses y Romanos- Cartagena
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/09/carthagineses-and-romans.html

11th September- 4th October - Sucina Fiestas Patronales - Sucina
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/09/fiestas-patronales-de-sucina.html

OCTOBER
9th - 13th October - Fiestas del Caldero - Los Alcazares
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/10/fiestas-del-caldero-los-alcazares.html

9th-10th October - Surfari - Los Alcazares

22nd October - 31st October - Balscias Fiestas Patronales
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/10/balsicas-fiestas-patronales.html

FEBRUARY

26TH February - 8th March - Cartagena Carnaval

http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/02/carnaval-2011-cartagena.html

MARCH

5th - 26th March - Roldan fiestas patronales

http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/02/roldan-fiestas-patronales.html

5TH- 13TH March - Santiago de la Ribera Carnaval

http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/03/carnaval-santiago-de-la-ribera.html

FREE STYLE MONSTER TRUCKS

On the 12th of August at the Bull ring in Murcia City. There will be a Freestyle Monster Truck event on.


Starting at 22:15 and lasting approximatly 2 hours.
Specialists will show off their expertise at the wheel of the Monster Trucks squashing cars, acrobatic cars, Freestyle Motorbikes and Trucks!




Under 4´s are free
4- 12´s are 17 euros
Over 12´s are 22.45

Tickets can be bought here http://www.elcorteingles.es/entradas/programas/pedidofecha.asp?lstYear=2010&lstMes=08&lstDia=12

MARKETS

Local markets are held daily around the region. Full of fruit and vegetables, clothes, shoes, trinkets and much more. Please be careful with your belongings as these are places where pickpockets hang out. I personally have never had a problem, but best to be safe.

They tend to close at around 2pm, which then is the perfect time to grab some lunch in a local restaurant. Check my post about Cabo de palos market finishing with lunch at Restaurante Katy on the beach (with pictures) http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/sundays-at-cabo-de-palos.html

MONDAYS = Roldan, San Pedro de Pinatar
TUESDAYS = Los Alcazares
WEDNESDAYS = Santiago de la Ribera, Cartagena
THURSDAYS = San Javier
FRIDAYS = Torrevieja
SATURDAYS = Los Narejos (Los Alcazares) , Torre Pacheco
SUNDAYS = Cabo de Palos , Autocine los Narejos (down near Airport)

On a Sunday from 9am till 2pm there is an antiques market in Murcia city, it is located behind the Museo Salzillo.

You can see location here

http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=MUSEO+SALZILLO,+Plaza+de+San+Agust%C3%ADn,+3,+30005+Murcia&sll=37.984866,-1.14069&sspn=0.034298,0.076818&g=barrio+de+san+andres,+murcia&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=MUSEO+SALZILLO,+Plaza+de+San+Agust%C3%ADn,+3,+30005+Murcia,+Regi%C3%B3n+de+Murcia&ll=37.98649,-1.138029&spn=0.034298,0.076818&z=14

Then you have all the Artesan Markets which happen monthly, for more information on when these are, check my earlier post
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/artesan-markets.html

All the markets are on my EVENTS CALENDER, which means you can see at a flick what market is on, what day, and where. Plus what concerts, events and festivals are on.