Alhama de Murcia’s big feria parade, two Oktoberfest events and a music festival near La Manga give us plenty to choose from this weekend. There are quieter plans too, with Murcia’s book fair opening on Friday and celebrations continuing in Los Alcázares.
These picks cover Friday 9 to Monday 12 October, including Spain’s National Day bank holiday. Monday brings Caldero Day on the Mar Menor, fairground offers in Alhama and another day to enjoy Murcia’s book fair and Oktoberfest.
For Monday itself, choose Los Alcázares for a day by the sea, Murcia for books and an afternoon out, or Alhama for evening fairground rides.
1. Catch Alhama’s feria parade and evening concert
Best day: Saturday 10 October.
Saturday would be our pick for Alhama this week. The float parade starts at 16:30 on Avenida de la Constitución, with local peñas and comparsas taking part. Later, Isabel Aaiún and Ruth Lorenzo perform at 22:30 on Avenida Juan Carlos I, beside Jardín de Los Patos.
There’s a substantial gap between the two, so leave time for dinner rather than expecting the parade to lead straight into the concert. If Friday suits you better, Orquesta La Mundial is scheduled at the same concert location at 23:00.
The daytime celebrations and the Nueva Espuña fairground are separate venues. Pick the activity you want before deciding where to park, and leave the parade streets clear.
Parking update: Avenida de la Constitución car park has no entry or exit Saturday 15:00–Sunday 04:00. Check temporary bus-stop signs before travelling.
Monday 12 October: Nueva Espuña’s fairground advertises two ride tickets for the price of one from 19:00 to midnight for Día del Feriante. Check the offer at the ride before buying.
Read our Alhama feria guide. The programme does not specify a concert admission price.
2. Browse Murcia’s opening book-fair weekend
When: Friday 9 to Monday 12 October; the fair continues until 18 October.
Murcia’s Feria del Libro returns to Paseo Alfonso X el Sabio, making this a good weekend for a city-centre wander with a stop at the bookstalls. Books and talks are predominantly in Spanish, but you don’t need to plan your day around a presentation to enjoy browsing.
The stalls open 11:00–14:00 and 17:00–21:00 on Friday, and 11:00–14:30 and 17:00–21:00 on Saturday, Sunday and bank-holiday Monday. The official opening is at noon on Friday.
For families, the programme includes Animalario with Mario Moya at 11:30 on Saturday and El globo, la patata y tú at 11:30 on Sunday, both at Pabellón Las Anas. Check individual activity arrangements before making a special trip.
Monday’s FantastiCon programme at Pabellón Las Anas features science fiction at 11:00, fantasy at 12:00 and horror at 13:00. These are literary discussions in Spanish.
3. Enjoy Murcia city’s final Oktoberfest weekend
When: Friday 9 to Monday 12 October, the final advertised day.
If you haven’t made it to Murcia’s Oktoberfest yet, this is its final advertised weekend. Lucía la Guapa Garden on Paseo de Garay hosts German beer, live music and DJs, with free entry; food and drinks cost extra.
Friday’s opening hours are 18:30–01:00, while Saturday and Sunday run 12:30–01:00. The advertised music includes Banda Conecta2 on Friday, Banda Play Grnd on Saturday and Banda 2 Backs on Sunday, with the bands listed for 20:00–22:00.
Monday 12 October has advertised public-holiday hours of 12:30–01:00, with DJ Madbel + DJs listed for 17:00–20:00. It could work as an afternoon stop after visiting the book fair. Plan your journey home before settling in for drinks.
Our Oktoberfest guide has the programme, location and accommodation suggestions. These details retain the organiser announcement already used in that guide; check for any last-minute changes.
4. Head to San Javier’s separate Oktoberfest
When: Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October. Where: Recinto Ferial, Calle Halcón, San Javier.
San Javier has its own Oktoberfest this weekend, separate from the Murcia-city event. For anyone staying around the Mar Menor, this may be the more convenient option.
The regional tourism listing confirms the dates and fairground location. Opening hours, admission arrangements and a current music timetable aren’t provided there, so check the latest organiser information before choosing when to go. Murcia city’s hours and free-entry details do not automatically apply here.
5. Enjoy Caldero Day and the October fiestas in Los Alcázares
Main pick: Monday 12 October, with other celebrations on Friday 9 and Sunday 11.
Los Alcázares’ October celebrations continue on Friday 9 October at Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez: neckerchiefs 21:45, chupinazo 22:30, Los Inhumanos concert 23:00. Sunday 11 October’s Feria de Asociaciones runs 10:00–14:00 at Plaza Real de la Feria.
These are useful dates to build a coastal visit around, with time for a walk and something to eat alongside the festivities. Check the official Los Alcázares programme (PDF) before setting off.
Monday is the big day: Gran Día del Caldero. Local peñas prepare the Mar Menor’s traditional rice dish along the beaches, with festivities spilling onto the seafront. It’s a good choice for a daytime visit, combining a walk along the shore with the atmosphere of the town’s celebrations.
The tourism office describes it as running from morning into the afternoon, without a fixed timetable. Come for the atmosphere, but don’t assume a peña’s cooking is a public food stall or that a meal is included; arrange lunch separately unless you have confirmed otherwise.
Read our Los Alcázares fiestas guide.
6. Make a music weekend of Hermosa Fest
When: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October. Where: Trips Summer Club, La Manga area.
Hermosa Fest is the option for anyone looking to make live music the main event. The announced line-up includes Ojete Calor, Ladilla Rusa, La Casa Azul and Sidecars, alongside other bands and DJs.
This is a ticketed festival. Check the official booking site for the current ticket options, availability, daily running order and entry conditions before arranging your visit. We haven’t been able to verify live prices or remaining tickets.
If you’re staying nearby, check the actual journey between your accommodation and Trips Summer Club before booking. A La Manga address alone doesn’t tell you whether the venue is a practical walk away.
