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The Christmas lights are now on and the decorations are up in the city of Lorca, the season of events in the Plaza de España has begun and a host of activities are scheduled over the coming weeks at the impressive castle, and the Town Hall has published the official program of events and activities over the Christmas, New Year and Three Kings holidays.
The full document in Spanish can be consulted online here, but the highlights of the festive season in Lorca this year are as follows:
Long-lasting events and activities
The Casita Dulce at the Palacete del Huerto Ruano, open until 23rd December 17.00 to 20.00 and at weekends from 11.00 to 14.00.
The Tienda Blanca Navideña, an eagerly awaited Christmas shop set up by the Paso Blanco in Carril de Caldereros, open from December 15 to January 5.
The Christmas Fairground in the Alameda de la Constitución, open 19th December to 6th January.
Friday December 12
18.30: The lighting of the Christmas tree of the Paso Azul in the cloisters of the MASS museum, with music from the Voces Azules choir.
17.00: The Agrupación Coral Amadeus present their Christmas concert at the church of San Francisco.
20.00: Mass at the Sanctuary of the Virgen de las Huertas is followed by a living nativity scene.
Saturday December 13
20.00: Música en los Templos, a charity concert in the church of San Patricio to raise funds for Cáritas, with the Agrupación Musical Virgen de la Amargura del Paso Blanco.
20.00: The Agrupación Coral Amadeus present their Christmas concert at the church of San Francisco.
Sunday December 14
12.00: El Pequeño Mundo de la Música, children’s entertainment in the Plaza de Calderón.
12.30 to 15.30: The Ugly Sweater party begins at Lorca castle: click here for further details!
Tuesday December 16
18.00: Children’s carols competition outside the Iglesia del Carmen.
Wednesday December 17
18.00: Children’s carols competition outside the Iglesia del Carmen.
Thursday December 18
18.00: The ceremony of the Hannukah, the Jewish Festival of Light, at the ciuFRONT medieval museum, featuring a musical performance entitled “Dylan, Reed & Cohen revisited”.
Friday December 19
17.30 to 23.00: The opening night of the Christmas Fairground in the Alameda de la Constitución, with attractions at just 2 euros for the first “children’s day”.
18.00: Snow White the Musical at the Auditorio Margarita Lozano, click here for further details.
19.30: A SPECTACULAR LIGHT SHOW IN THE PLAZA DE ESPAÑA TO HERLAD THE ARRIVAL IN THE CITY OF FATHER CHRISTMAS!
20.30: Christmas concert by the Banda de Música de Lorca at the church of San Mateo.
Saturday December 20
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
Visit Santa in his house at the Palacete del Huerto Ruano from 11.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 20.00.
18.00: Coros y Danzas de Lorca perform at the church of San Francisco.
19.00: Coros y Danzas de Lorca perform at the church of San Domingo.
19.00: Charity concert to collect hygiene products and food for distribution by Cáritas at the church of San Francisco.
21.30: The Sound of Christmas with Raya Real at the Auditorio Margarita Lozano, tickets from 17 euros, click here for further details.
Sunday December 21
Visit Santa in his house at the Palacete del Huerto Ruano from 11.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 20.00.
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
Monday December 22
Visit Santa in his house at the Palacete del Huerto Ruano from 17.00 to 20.00.
The fairground opens from 17.30 to 23.00.
Tuesday December 23
Visit Santa in his house at the Palacete del Huerto Ruano from 17.00 to 20.00.
The fairground opens from 17.30 to 23.00.
21.00: El Viaje de Vuelta, a show by Coros y Danzas de Lorca at the Auditorio Margarita Lozano.
Wednesday December 24
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
Visit Santa in his house at the Palacete del Huerto Ruano from 11.00 to 14.00.
18.00: A Christmas Eve concert in the Plaza de España with CAMAROTE DE LOS HERMANOS MARX.
Thursday December 25
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
10.00: Christmas Mass and the presentation of the nativity scene at the church of the Monastery of Santa Ana and Santa María Magdalena de las Clarisas, with music from the Cuadrilla de los Auroros de Lorca.
11.30: Christmas Day guided tour of Lorca castle, including the Torre Alfonsina, the main water cistern and the remains of the Synagogue. Admission 14.75 euros (12.75 euros for under-12s), prior booking is required here.
12.00: Music from the Santa Cecilia choir in the church of San Mateo.
Friday December 26
The fairground opens from 17.30 to 23.00.
10.30 to 12.30: Crumble Cookies workshop at the Las Caballerizas del Castillo restaurant in Lorca castle, reservations at 14.75 euros available online, click here for details. Recommended for children aged 9+.
11.00 to 13.00: Christmas gymkhana at Lorca castle, prior registration required here.
Saturday December 27
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
11.30: Auction dance to raise funds for Cáritas in the Plaza de Calderón.
18.30: Bichitos, children’s theatre at the Auditorio Margarita Lozano.
20.00: Music from the Santa Cecilia choir in the church of San Mateo.
Sunday December 28
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
11.30 and 13.00: Un Castillo de Cuento, an activity at Lorca castle in which a medieval character tells Christmas stories like those which were popular in the fortress many centuries ago. Admission 14.75€ adults, 12.75€ children aged 5-16.
18.00 A charity gala to raise funds for the MI PRINCESA RETT organization at the Auditorio Margarita Lozano.
Monday December 29
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
10.30 to 13.30 and 17.00 to 20.00: Activities for children at the home of the Paso Azul.
Tuesday December 30
10.30 to 13.30 and 17.00 to 20.00: Activities for children at the home of the Paso Azul.
Wednesday December 31
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
10.30: The annual San Silvestre running race in Avenida Juan Carlos I, registration available online here for just 6 euros.
18.00: The New Year’s Eve celebrations begin in the Plaza de España with music from Los Ratones.
21.00: The main party gets under way with bells being tolled in the Ex Colegiata de San Patricio and music from Orquesta Kacike. The 12 lucky grapes are available for everyone to gulp them down as the bells strike midnight!
Thursday January 1
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
11.30: New Year’s Day guided tour of Lorca castle, including the Torre Alfonsina, the main water cistern and the remains of the Synagogue. Admission 14.75 euros (12.75 euros for under-12s), prior booking is required here.
Friday January 2
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
10.00: The polar bear from the express train bringing the Three Kings to Lorca visits the rural districts of Cazalla, Pulgara, Marchena, Río, La Parroquia and Virgen de las Huertas.
10.30: Christmas cookie workshops at Lorca castle, including free entrance to the tower known as the Torre Alfonsina. Admission 14.75 euros (adults) and 12.75 euros (aged 5 to 16). Bookings online here.
21.00: THE NEW YEAR CONCERT BY THE LORCA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at the Auditorio Margarita Lozano. Click here for further details.
Saturday January 3
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
10.00: The polar bear from the express train bringing the Three Kings to Lorca visits the rural districts of Zarzadilla de Totana, La Paca, Zarcilla de Ramos, Doña Inés, Coy and Avilés.
18.30: The Royal Page off the Three Kings begins a parade through the city centre, ending at the church of San Francisco, where he collects gift letters addressed to Their Majesties.
Sunday January 4
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
10.00: The polar bear from the express train bringing the Three Kings to Lorca visits the rural districts of Morata, Ramonete, La Campana and Almendricos.
12.00: La Casita de Chocolate, a children’s show about the witch from Hansel and Gretel in the Plaza de España.
19.30: Official reception for the Three Kings at the MuBBLa museum of the Paso Blanco.
Monday January 5
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
11.30: The Three Kings visit the municipal nativity scene at the Palacio de Guevara before making their way to the Plaza de España to greet children.
18.00: THE GRAND THREE KINGS PARADE IN LORCA! Route: Calle Pérez Casas, Nogalte, Cuesta de San Francisco, Músico Juan Antonio Gómez Navarro, Santa Paula, Plaza del Óvalo, Avenida Juan Carlos I. The Kings make their way on foot to the Plaza de España along Calle Musso Valiente and Calle Álamo, to wave goodbye for another year to the children before beginning their long night’s work.
Tuesday January 6
The fairground opens from 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.30 to 23.00.
11.30: Three Kings Day guided tour of Lorca castle, including the Torre Alfonsina, the main water cistern and the remains of the Synagogue. Admission 14.75 euros (12.75 euros for under-12s), prior booking is required here.
For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist office at the Palacio de Guevara (telephone 968 441914) or go to the home page of Lorca Today.
The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites and historic buildings around which the modern city has built its tourism industry. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, Plaza de España, the former Collegiate church of San Patricio, the municipal archaeological museum, the Casa Huerto Ruano, the Palacio de Guevara and the churches and convents of San Francisco, San Mateo, the Virgen de las Huertas, La Merced, El Carmen and many others.
Unfortunately, Lorca has been prone to natural disaster, suffering a severe flood in 1973 which killed 50 people, and a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as a series of earthquakes, the most recent of which was 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives.
Lorca also has an area of unspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Cala Calnegre and various others. Although only one is accessible by road others can be reached along dirt tracks!
In terms of fiestas, Lorca is synonymous with Easter (Semana Santa), its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status being famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azul) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
In the Autumn Lorca also celebrates the Fiestas of San Clemente and a Feria and there are a series of important events throughout the year in the Recinto Ferial, as well as a busy cultural and sporting programme.
The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).
Lorca also has an area of inspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only along difficult tracks or by boat!
However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the historic castle.
Every day of the year apart from 1st and 6th January and 25th December, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30 (except Sunday afternoons).
These opening times are often extended and other information points created during the Semana Santa celebrations.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
