October 11 to 22 Annual fiestas in Los Alcazares

The Día del Caldero is being held on the national holiday of October 12

Los Alcázares celebrates 40 years of municipal independence on October 13

Every October the local fiestas of Los Alcázares are held around October 13 to commemorate the anniversary of the town being granted municipal independence in 1983, and this year the festivities are programmed to last from October 11 to October 22.

The fiestas begin on Wednesday October 11 in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez alongside the Town Hall, and the following day (a national holiday) is the date set for the annual Día del Caldero. This is when, weather permitting, thousands of people gather on the beach for a lunch of the traditional “caldero” fish stock and rice dish – topped off with a generous dollop of alioli - and is without a doubt one of the highlights of the year for the population along the inland shore of the Mar Menor.

October 13 is marked by official commemorations of municipal Independence, while other highlights include the “Surfari” surfers’ gathering from October 13 to 15 and a gastronomic event titled “Gastromar” from October 20 to 22.

The full program can be found in Spanish here, with selected highlights including the following:

Wednesday October 11

22.30: The Chupinazo firework marks the start of the fiestas, followed by a concert entitled “Experiencia Remember” in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.

Thursday October 12, Día del Caldero

While the rest of Spain celebrates the National Day, those in Los Alcázares head down to the beach and the seafront promenade for music, fun and of course a few helpings of caldero!

Between 15.00 and 19.30 DJs provide music in the Plaza de la Pescadería.

Friday October 13

11.00: Children’s workshops begin in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez (this is a local holiday in Los Alcázares).

12.00: The 24^th annual Surfari Mar Menor weekend begins with official practice.

22.30: In Vivo concert in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.

Saturday October 14

10.00: Maritime activities at the Mar Menor Pupils Center including sailing, windsurfing, paddle board and kayaking.

22.30: El Gato López in concert in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.

9.00: The Surfari Mar Menor event continues with various events, starting with the opening of the “Oficina de Regatas”. The first competition is at 13.00.

Sunday October 15

9.00 to 14.00: Associations Fair in the Plaza de la Feria.

10.30: Spanish ham slicing masterclass at the Balneario de la Encarnación, a charity event to raise funds for Cáritas. Plates of ham 10 euros per person.

10.30: Classic car exhibition in the Avenida 13 de Octubre.

11.00: Magician Frank performs for children in the Plaza de la Feria.

The Surfari Mar Menor event continues with races starting at 11.00. Prizegiving at 17.00.

Monday October 16

15.30: Dominoes and ludo competitions at the indoor swimming pool in Avenida Joaquín Blume.

22.00: Concert, a tribute to Lina Morgan in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.

23.30: Churros with hot chocolate for all present.

Tuesday October 17

20.30: Concert on the Paseo Carrión alongside the monolith to the independence of Los Alcázares.

Thursday October 19

20.30: Concert by the band of the Academia General del Aire in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.

Friday October 20, Gastomar begins

18.00: Opening of the Gourmet Market at the corner of Calle Real de la Feria and Calle Los Luisos.

18.30: Children’s chocolate workshop recreating the monolith to the independence of Los Alcázares in chocolate. Venue: Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.

19.30 to 23.30: Saborea Los Alcázares – various restaurants of the Region of Murcia provide tapas in the Plaza de la Feria.

20.30: Salted fish product tasting at the Hotel Atrio del Mar, prior registration required as of October 9.

20.30: North-west gourmet tasting at the Museo Aeronáutico de Los Alcázares, prior registration required as of October 9.

23.00: “500 Noches Banda” concert, a tribute to Joaquín Sabina in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.

Saturday October 21

11.30: The Gourmet Market opens at the corner of Calle Real de la Feria and Calle Los Luisos.

12.00: Showcooking and tasting of caldero in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez, prior registration required as of October 9.

12.30 to 16.00: Saborea Los Alcázares – various restaurants of the Region of Murcia provide tapas in the Plaza de la Feria.

16.30: Talks, coffee and cocktails in the Plaza Real de La Feria.

19.00: Tasting of La Yerbera cheeses at the Balneario La Encarnación, prior registration required as of October 9.

19.30: Saborea Los Alcázares starts again for the evening in the Plaza de la Feria.

20.00: Boat ride with beer supplied by Estrella de Levante Saborea Los Alcázares, prior registration required as of October 9.

20.00: Wine tasting with snacks by Restaurante La Tropical in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez, prior registration required as of October 9.

23.00: Lo Mejor del Último, a tribute concert to El Último de la Fila in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.

Sunday October 22

10.00: Chocolate and buns at the Hotel Atrio del Mar.

11.30: The Gourmet Market opens at the corner of Calle Real de la Feria and Calle Los Luisos.

12.30 to 16.00: Saborea Los Alcázares – various restaurants of the Region of Murcia provide tapas in the Plaza de la Feria.

10.30 to 14.30: Charity ham slicing in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.

16.30 to 20.30: Drilo Park children’s fun and games at the Recinto de Fiestas in Avenida Avda Joaquín Blume.

For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today.