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The main Mayos weekend in Alhama de Murcia is May 7 and 8

Alhama de Murcia celebrates its annual Los Mayos festivities at the beginning of May, combining local traditions with entertainment and fun for the whole family, and this year there is great anticipation as the full version of events returns after the pandemic restrictions of the last two years.

Throughout Spain and the rest of Europe, May Day celebrates the spring and the arrival of a period of fertility and abundance. Its roots lie firmly in the pagan past, although it was naturally absorbed into the Christian faith as it became more widespread and many of its rituals adapted to Christianity.

The May celebrations in Alhama de Murcia are called Los Mayos and were declared as being of National Tourist Interest in 2019 due in part to the unique traditions at their core. There are three distinct elements of the celebrations in Alhama which have evolved to become a singular fiesta within the region, one which not only attracts thousands of visitors from the Spanish community but is also very popular with expat visitors on account of its vibrancy and range of activities.

Las Cruces de Mayo

The roots of these traditions can be found in Pagan fiestas celebrated across Europe around this time, rituals which focused on the feminine and the relationship with the sacred female figure of fertility, Mother Nature or the Earth Goddess, with flowers representing fertility and abundance, dressing sacred places, making offerings and giving thanks for the fruitfulness of the earth.

As Christianity spread, these traditions were adapted to celebrate the Virgin Mary and throughout Spain she is honoured today with the Cruces de Mayo. These are crosses dressed with flowers which are displayed in conjunction with plants and religious tokens, a tradition which is very much a part of the Alhama celebrations, with beautifully decorated floral crosses proudly displayed in homes and public places throughout the town, which can be visited and admired as part of the Los Mayos.

The Crosses are generally displayed early in the week and remain in place until the end of the fiestas.

La Plantá, the "planting" of figures

Again, this tradition has Pagan roots, with the symbolic burning and cleansing act of seeing out the old and bringing in the new. Representative figures would be made of whatever materials were available with symbolic messages which could be ‘cleansed" at the end of the festival as an act of renewal and regeneration.

There are many celebrations worldwide in which figures are used symbolically to represent this concept, and in Alhama the act of creating figures emerged into a tradition which dates back certainly to the beginning of the twentieth century and very probably much further.

Figures are made from fabrics, stuffed with whatever is available, nowadays mainly straw, dressed and set in scenes which represent everyday life, so all around the town displays are created which show residents involved in traditional activities; sitting sewing outside their houses, working in their gardens, or just chatting to each other.

They're charming and homely, allied with a satirical twist, as many bear posters which poke fun at local political figures, confront topical issues and put across a point of view about social subjects, airing them in a way which makes an otherwise uncomfortable topic a point of discussion.

These displays are hidden away from public view until the day of the Plantá on the Saturday, and then Sunday is dedicated to visiting them all, on foot, on board the tourist train or even by bicycle.

Maps can be picked up from the Tourist office, where tickets are on sale for just 1 euro for the tourist train which runs in a continuous loop from opposite the office itself.

Tickets can only be purchased on the day of the Mayos itself, and the train stops for lunch, so be aware of this when planning a visit.

The Corremayos

These too have pagan roots, in that the young men of a town used to go out early and dress the homes of the girls with flowers, and tended to roam around together on May Day causing havoc.

In Alhama this tradition has evolved into the Corremayos, who dress in harlequin jester costumes, vibrantly coloured and with appropriate headwear, and roam around in large groups visiting the planted figures. As in most fiestas, they carry out a “Pasacalles”, which is literally roaming around the streets but is in fact more of a parade, in which they are accompanied by musicians.

There are two of these parades in Alhama, on the Saturday night and the Sunday morning, and it is well worth going along to see the explosion of colour as they fill the streets with noise and celebration. Don’t worry about costumes - there are usually a few on sale for those who don´t have one!

Locations

The Plaza de la Constitución is the centre of most activities, which is where you'll find the tourist office and Town Hall. Opposite them is the Parque La Cubana, in the centre of which is the Auditorio Municipal (an open-air auditorium), and then at the far end the Recinto Ferial with a big fairground and children’s area.

There is parking beneath the Plaza del Ayuntamiento but it’s likely to be busy, so it’s advisable to park behind the park and walk through it.

The full program of events during the 2022Los Mayos fiestas in Alhama de Murcia is as follows:

Friday 29^th April

17.00: The 30^th annual customized motorcycle rally weekend begins in the Parque de la Cubana.

18.00: Opening of the “MAYEANDO CON LOS CORREMAYOS MAYORES” exhibition in the Casa de la Cultura. The exhibition is open until 8th May, Monday to Friday 17.00 to 21.00, weekends 11.30 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 21.00.

21.00: Dinner featuring locally sourced products (by invitation only).

22.00: Live music from La Banda del Capitán Inhumano.

Midnight: Live music from El Despertar del Silencio, a tribute act paying homage to Héroes del Silencio.

Saturday 30^th April

10.00: The jury tour the town to judge the balcony and window decorations.

11.00: Guided tour of the monuments in the town centre (in Spanish). Price 3 euros (2 euros for children aged 3 to 12). Bookings at the tourist office (968 633512) or online.

17.00: Live performance by Los Alacranes Country Music.

19.30: Guided tour of the town.

21.00: Dinner featuring locally sourced products (by invitation only).

22.00: Live music from Sharabia, a Medina Azahara tribute act.

Midnight: Live music from LOS CHICHOS.

2.00: DJ Pepe Medina with an 80s pop-rock special.

Sunday 1^st May

10.30: Marcos Elvis, and Elvis Presley tribute performer.

11.30: Live music from FYV Band.

13.00: Lunch featuring locally sourced products (by invitation only).

22.00: Live music from IDEM, a Manolo García and El Último de la Fila tribute act.

Midnight: Music, Rock para 4 with Carlos García from Custom Alhama.

Tuesday 3^rd May, El Día de la Cruz (the Day of the Cross)

11.00: Tour of the Museum, prior booking required at the tourist office (968 633512) or online.

16.00: The jury visit the May Crosses competing for prizes.

18.30: Guided tour of the competing Crosses on the tourist train, starting at the Auditorium. Prior booking at the Oficina de Festejos in the Casa de la Cultura (968 631985).

22.00: Canto a la Cruz de los Mayos. The Grupo Folclórico "Villa de Alhama" sing a welcome to the Crosses of May. Location: Calle Alfonso X El Sabio, nº 35.

Thursday 5th May

CHILDREN’S DAY! From 18.00 to midnight the price of fairground attractions at the Recinto Ferial is just 1 euro.

Friday 6^th May

17.00: The LOS MAYOS ZOCO MARKET opens in the Plaza de la Constitución, remaining in place until 8^th May.

18.30: Guided tour of the competing May Crosses on the tourist train, starting at the Auditorium. Prior booking at the Oficina de Festejos in the Casa de la Cultura (968 631985).

20.00: Children’s theatre, LA ESTACIÓN DE LOS CUENTOS at the Auditorio Municipal. Admission free of charge.

21.45: The 21^st Alhama en Concierto folk music festival features the Murcia group TÚA and FETÉN FETÉN in the atrium of the church of San Lázaro.

21st Saturday 7^th May

10.30: Guided tour of the competing May Crosses on the tourist train, starting at the Auditorium. Prior booking at the Oficina de Festejos in the Casa de la Cultura (968 631985).

12.30: BICHOS EN EL JARDÍN, the opening of an exhibition in the garden of the Los Baños archaeological museum (open until 30^th June).

Starting at 15.00, the Mayos tableaux are set up in the streets, squares and gardens of Alhama de Murcia. See them while they are being created and enjoy the tradition first hand, or leave it till later – they’re there all evening and all night!

The tourist train rides also begin at 15.00, starting at the Auditorio, and continue until 20.00. Price 1 euro.

18.30: ZUMBA MASTERCLASS in the Plaza de la Constitución with Jennifer Rojo of the Paso a Paso dance school and Belén López of the Belén López fitness centre. Come dressed in your Corremayo outfit!

18.30: CORREMAYO MAKE-UP WORKSHOP in the Plaza de la Constitución.

18.45 to 20.45: Mayos 2022 badges are given out outside the tourist office.

19.00: CORREMAYO STILTS workshop in the Plaza de la Constitución.

21.00: Presentation in the Plaza de la Constitución of the 2022 CORREMAYO MAYOR (the head Corremayo), an award given this year to the volunteers of Protección Civil in Alhama de Murcia.

21.15: The CORREMAYOS parade is accompanied by live music from MALVARICHE, with thousands of people dressed in their colourful jester outfits. Route: Avenida de la Constitución, Juan Carlos I, La Feria, Corredera, San Francisco Javier, Plaza del Nazareno, Avenida Constantino López, Rambla Don Diego, Recinto Ferial.

23.30: Los Mayos concert by the group DESPISTAOS in the eucalyptus grove of the Parque de la Cubana.

1.00: MAYFEST Los Mayos DJ festival with performances by NOVAK B2BSARABIA, GROOVE KIDS, TACHMAN, MYEL, JOTA MARO, TOXIC INVADERS AND AMEX in the Parque de la Cubana.

Sunday 8th May, the Day of Los Mayos

ALL OF THE MAYOS ARE NOW SET UP in the streets, squares and parks

10.00: THE MAYOS TRAIN: the tourist train offers tours of the Mayos around the town throughout the day from 10.00 to 20.00, starting at the Auditorio Municipal. Price 1 euro.

10.00: The tourist office opens all day to provide information, maps, posters, programs and the Los Mayos 2022 badges.

10.00: The judges tour the MAYOS to decide on the winners.

10.30: The LOS MAYOS CUADRILLAS (folk music and dancing groups) arrive and set out from the Plaza de la Constitución to visit the Mayos during the morning.

10.35: The Corremayos set off for another parade around the Mayos, accompanied by the musical charanga of "Poya-vés". The parade starts in Plaza de la Constitución, and along the route invitations will be handed out to Corremayos dressed in costume to be given priority during the scrum for free paella at lunchtime!

14.30: The GIANT PAELLA is prepared and consumed at the fairground, with priority being given to those in Corremayo costume during the parade.

17.00: THE CUADRILLAS FESTIVAL in the Plaza de Abastos. 17.00 Cuadrilla de Animeros de Caravaca, 17.30 Cuadrilla de El Berro, 18.00 Prizes are awarded for the best Mayos, May Crosses and balcony decorations, 18.30 Cuadrilla de Patiño, 19.00 Cuadrilla de La Costera.

17.30: LOS MAYOS EN BICI, a bike ride around the Mayos on display, organized by the Club Ciclista Sierra Espuña, starting in the Plaza de la Constitución. Get in the saddle and enjoy a healthy end to the fiestas!

Saturday 14^th May

11.00: Children’s tourist gymkhana, a free activity recommended for over 7’s accompanied by an adult. Bookings in the tourist office (968 633512) or online.

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

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