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April 24 to May 9 Los Mayos fiestas 2025 in Alhama de Murcia: full programme
The main Mayos 2024 weekend in Alhama de Murcia is May 3 and 4
Alhama de Murcia celebrates its annual Los Mayos fiestas at the beginning of May, combining local traditions with entertainment and fun for the whole family, and this year once again a full version of events is scheduled and the atmosphere is guaranteed to be as festive as ever!
Throughout Spain and the rest of Europe, May Day is celebrated to herald the arrival of spring and of a period of fertility and abundance. Its roots lie firmly in the pagan past, although it was gradually absorbed into the Christian faith as it became more widespread and many of its rituals were 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 rituals which focused on the feminine and the female figure of fertility, Mother Nature or the Earth Goddess. Flowers represent fertility and abundance, and were used to adorn sacred places where people made offerings and gave thanks for the fruitfulness of the earth.
As Christianity spread these traditions were adapted to celebrate the Virgin Mary and in many parts of Spain she is honoured today with the Cruces de Mayo, crosses dressed with flowers, plants and religious tokens. This is an important part of the Alhama celebrations and decorated floral crosses are proudly displayed in homes and public places throughout the town.
The Crosses remain in place until the end of the fiestas.
La Plantá, the "planting" of figures
This is another tradition with roots. Representative figures are made of a variety of materials and messages are added which can be ‘cleansed" at the end of the festival as an act of renewal and regeneration. This is common worldwide and in Alhama the act of creating figures evolved into a tradition which dates back at least to the early 20th century and probably much further.
Figures are made from fabric, stuffed mainly with straw, dressed and set in scenes which represent everyday life, and 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 one another.
These homely and often satirical tableaux often 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 subject a point of discussion.
The displays are hidden away from the public until the day of the "Plantá" on the Saturday, and then Sunday is dedicated to visiting them 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 outside the tourist office).
Tickets can only be purchased on the day of the Mayos and the train stops running for lunch.
The Corremayos
A third pagan element:the young men of a town used to go out early and dress the homes of the girls with flowers, tending to roam around together on May Day causing havoc.
In Alhama this tradition has evolved into the Corremayos, who dress in harlequin jester costumes as they visit the “planted” figures. As in most fiestas, they carry out a “Pasacalles” musical parade, although in this case there are two, on the Saturday night and the Sunday morning. It’s 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 and is also home to 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).
The main fairground is now located on in the western edge of Alhama in the Nueva Espuña area: click for map.
There is parking beneath the Plaza del Ayuntamiento but it’s likely to be busy: often it’s easier to park behind the Parque de la Cubana and walk through it.
The full program of events during the 2025 Los Mayos fiestas in Alhama de Murcia is as follows:
Thursday April 24
19.00: Opening of MAYOS BURGER FEST in the Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña, with food challenges, musical performances: taste all kinds of hamburgers and enjoy music, hot dog competitions and the like!
Thursday 19.00 to midnight, Friday 19.00 to 02.00, Saturday 12.00 to 16.00 and 19.00 to 2.00. Sunday 12.00 to 16.00 and from 19:00 to midnight.
Friday April 25
18.00: The fairground attractions open in the Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña until midnight (late opening until 3.00 am on the eve of major events). The fair remains in place until May 11.
19.30: Opening of the exhibition “Mayeando con los Corremayos Mayores” at the Casa de la Cultura, displaying all of the honorary “Corremayos Mayores” of recent times and photographs of the festivities. The exhibition can be visited until May 5 on weekdays from 17.00 to 21.00 and at weekends from 11.30 to 14.00 and from 17.00 to 21.00.
20.00: Street comedy theatre, “Olympics”. Nacho Villar/Yllana Company in the Plaza de la Constitución.
Saturday April 26
18.00: Street theatre/circus entertainment, “Somos”. Circuspunto Teatro Company in the Plaza de la Constitución.
20.00: Official reception at the Los Baños Archaeological Museum for the folk music and dancing groups taking part in the 41st Festival Nacional de Folklore Los Mayos.
21.30: The 41st National Folk Music Festival itself begins at the church of San Lázaro. Those taking part are the Asociación Cultural Coros y Danzas El Trillo from Albacete, Agrupación Folklórica San Cristóbal from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and the local Grupo Folklórico Villa de Alhama. Free admission.
23.00: Concert by the band The Tracks at the Mayos Burger Fest in the fairground Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña.
Sunday April 27
8.30: Hike against hunger, organised by the NGO Manos Unidas, starting from the church of San Lázaro. Registration at Óptica Alcón and the church.
11.00: Performance by the folk group Agrupación Folklórica San Cristóbal from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Parque La Cubana.
Thursday May 1
10.00: The jury tour the town to judge the street, balcony and window decorations competing for prizes.
12.00: Children’s puppet show ‘LOS COLORES DE ZOE’ in the Plaza de La Concepción.
21.00: “Canto a la Cruz de los Mayos”. Traditional musical tribute to the May Crosses, performed by the Grupo Folklórico “Villa de Alhama” at Calle Alfonso X el Sabio, 35.
Friday May 2
17.00: The Los Mayos Artisan Market opens in the Plaza de la Constitución, remaining in place until May 4. Open Friday 17.00 to 21.00, Saturday and Sunday 11.00 to 21.00.
20.00: Children’s musical, “Aladdin” at the Auditorio Municipal. Admission free of charge.
21.30: The 24th annual Alhama en Concierto folk music festival features the groups Cabra Tribal Son at church of San Lázaro. Free admission.
Saturday May 3, MAY CROSSES DAY
9.00: 24th Los Mayos Judo Games. Children’s judo display and children’s regional competition, at the Pabellón Adolfo Suárez.
10.00: The jury visit the May Crosses competing for prizes. Crosses can then be visited during the afternoon.
10.30: Free guided tour of the competing May Crosses on the tourist train, starting at the Auditorium entrance. Prior booking required at the Oficina de Festejos in the Casa de la Cultura (968 631985).
11.00: The Mayos artisan market continues.
From 15.00 to 18.00: LA PLANTÁ. The Mayos tableaux are set up in the streets, squares and parks 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: Latin rhythms masterclass in the Plaza de la Constitución with Cristina, from Paso a Paso dance academy: dress up in Corremayo costume to add to the fun!
18.30: Corremayo make-up and balloon twisting workshops for children in the Plaza de la Constitución.
18.45 to 20.45: Mayos 2024 badges are given out outside the tourist office.
20.00: Dance performances by the Paso a Paso dance academy in the Avenida de la Constitución.
21.00: Presentation in the Plaza de la Constitución of the Corremayo Mayor (the head Corremayo), an award given this year to the “Colegio Ginés Díaz – San Cristóbal” (low-intensity fireworks will be set off, with noise attenuated).
21.15: The first 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, Constantino López, Sierra Espuña, Colón and the fairground Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña.
23.45: Los Mayos concert by “Boikot” at the fairground Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña. Free admission.
1.00: MAYFEST, Los Mayos DJ festival at the fairground with two stages:
- TNH STAGE: TNH family (special B4B). AIKON.
- MAIN STAGE: Jota Maro B2B Gaucho, Fercho Energy.
Sunday May 4 LOS MAYOS DAY
This is the day on which all of the tableaux are already “planted” in the squares, streets and parks of Alhama de Murcia.
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 entrance. Price 1 euro.
10.00: The tourist office opens until 18.00 to provide information, maps, posters, programs and the Los Mayos 2025 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. The groups taking part are from La Costera, El Berro, Aledo, La Albatalía-Arboleja and Fuente Álamo.
11.00: The Mayos artisan market continues.
11.00: The Corremayos set off for another parade around the Mayos, on two simultaneous routes, accompanied by the musical charangas of “El Escabeche” and “La Hucha”. 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!
12.00 and 13.00: Children’s dance performances, with Mayos music, from Alhanza dance academy, in the Avenida de la Constitución.
14.30: A giant paella is prepared and consumed in the Parque de la Cubana, with priority being given to those in Corremayo costume during the parade.
16.00 to 18.00: Bouncy castle and inflatables in Plaza de Las Américas.
17.00: The Cuadrillas Festival begins in the Plaza de la Concepción with performances by Cuadrilla de La Albatalía – La Arboleja at 17.00 and Cuadrilla de El Berro at 17.30.
18.00: Prizes are awarded for the best Mayos, May Crosses and streets and balcony decorations.
18.30: Cuadrilla de Fuente Álamo.
19.00: Cuadrilla de La Costera.
18.00: 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!
Monday May 5
CHILDREN’S DAY! From 18.00 to midnight the price of fairground attractions at the Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña is just 1.50 euros.
10.30: Healthy children’s ciclyng route starting from the Plaza de la Constitución. Includes a healthy snack courtesy of El Ciruelo and children’s games at the end of the activity in the Plaza de la Constitución.
17.00: Official reception at the Town Hall for the traditional folk music groups taking part in the Los Mayos Auroros Meeting. Each group will visit some competing May Crosses. Those taking part are the Campana de Auroros from Javalí Viejo, the Campana de Auroros del Rosario from Rincón de Seca and the Aurora from Alhama.
20.00: Holy mass sung by the Auroros in the church of San Lázaro.
Thursday May 8
CHILDREN’S DAY returns! From 18.00 to midnight the price of fairground attractions at the Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña is just 1.50 euros.
Friday May 9
The weekend of the 33rd ANNUAL LOS MAYOS CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE RALLY begins at the fairground Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña. Admission to the event and concerts are free of charge. Registered participants receive a series additional elements.
Click here for the full programme.
Saturday May 10
The 33rd ANNUAL LOS MAYOS CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE RALLY continues at the fairground Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña.
Sunday May 11
The final day of the ANNUAL LOS MAYOS CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE RALLY at the Recinto Ferial Nueva Espuña.
Address
Tourist Office Alhama de Murcia, Plaza Constitucion. Frente Auditorio, nº 10, 30840, ALHAMA DE MURCIATel: 968 633 512
Oficina de Turismo de Alhama de Murcia
Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución, just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia.
The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama. These be loaned at any time, although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour, and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office.
The office also carries a full range of leaflets for the archaeological museum of Los Baños, which is built around the historic spa which gives Alhama its name, and the mountains of Sierra Espuña, which is also an important area within the municipality of Alhama. Areas such as El Berro and Gebas have a number of interesting routes which can be followed and there are several picnic areas and good walking routes within the Sierra Espuña natural park.
The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year, including Los Mayos, Semana Santa, Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro.
Opening Hours
Winter (September 16 – May 31)
- Tuesday to Friday: 9am-2pm and 4.30pm-7.30pm
- Saturdays: 10am-1pm
- Sundays and Mondays: closed
Summer (June 1 to September 15)
- Tuesday to Friday: 08.30 to 14.30
- Saturdays: 10.00 to 13.00
- Sundays and Mondays: closed
For more local information, including news and forthcoming events, visit the home page of Alhama Today.
