Annual fiestas in the municipality of Jumilla
The main Jumilla fiestas are at Easter and in August but numerous others are held throughout the year
In terms of its annual fiestas the town of Jumilla is renowned for its historic Semana Santa traditions, which are among the oldest in the Region of Murcia, and the celebrations during the month of August, when the start of the wine harvest coincides with the feast day of the Virgen de la Asunción (patron of the town), the national folk music festival and the Moros y Cristianos parades in commemoration of the re-conquest of the town by Christian forces in the 1340s after centuries of Moorish rule.
But there are many more celebrations throughout the year in Jumilla, including local and district fiestas, wine fairs, Christmas and Romerías to name but a few. The following list outlines the most important fiesta dates on the Jumilla calendar:
JANUARY
Cablagata de los Reyes Magos, the parade of the Three Kings on 5th January.
Fiestas in the district of San Antón: held on and around the 17th January and including street parades, the blessing of the animals and bonfires and fireworks.
Fiestas in Calle del Calvario in honour of San Sebastián: held on and around 20th January and including the blessing of the bread and more bonfires and fireworks.
FEBRUARY
Fiestas de San Blas: bonfires and fireworks in the old town centre, a procession of the figure of the Saint and the blessing and auctioning off of loaves of bread.
Carnival: with all of the colour and spectacle of parades, dances, masks and costumes, the main parade ending in Calle del Calvario.
MARCH
Fiestas in La Alquería: the village holds its annual celebration of the feast day of San José (Saint Joseph) on 19th March.
Mini Wine Fair: on the Saturday morning prior to Palm Sunday wines belonging to the Denomination of Origin of Jumilla can be tasted in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro.
APRIL
Semana Santa: Jumilla’s Easter Week celebrations, whose origins lie in the late 16th century, have been awarded National Tourist Interest status, having grown in importance steadily since 1848. The celebrations start on the Friday before Easter Week with a solemn Via Crucis and end on Easter Sunday with the procession of Jesus Resurrected.
During the week it is possible to see the artistic heritage of religious sculptures dating back to the 17th century being paraded in the streets, and other highlights include the “mantillas” (silk or lace headdresses and shawls) which are worn by the women parading in the evening of Maundy Thursday, the “Armaos” parade in historic military dress on Easter Sunday and the drumming of the “Tamborada” celebrations on Easter Saturday and the Saturday before.
During Semana Santa in Jumilla it is traditional to eat the local “empanadas de patata” (potato pies), broad beans with cod and “trigoentero”, a delicious wheat and vegetable stew.
MAY
Ofrenda de Flores: The floral offering to the figure of Cristo Amarrado a la Columna (Christ tied to the whipping post), which was sculpted by Francisco Salzillo, takes place on the first Sunday in May, with participants wearing traditional costume as they take their flowers the Iglesia de Santiago.
Romería del Cristo: On the second Sunday of the month the figure of Cristo Amarrado a la Columna is taken to the mountain monastery of Santa Ana a few kilometres outside Jumilla. Click for further information.
Fiestas de La Raja: these are celebrated in honour of San Isidro Labrador, whose feast day is on 15th May.
Fiestas in La Fuente del Pino: held from 28th to 30th May in honour of the Virgen del Rosario.
JUNE
Fiestas in Barrio de San Juan: Fiestas are held in this district of Jumilla around 24th June, with an open-air evening of music, dining and dancing, Holy Mass, a procession, the burning of a “falla” to celebrate midsummer, and fireworks.
Fiesta in Las Encebras: The annual celebration in this small village is in honour of San Pedro on 29th June.
Música Entre Vinos: A series of evenings combining music with wine tourism during June and July, when bodegas affiliated to the Jumilla Wine Route hold concert dinners.
JULY
District fiestas in the Barrio del Carmen, Barrio de San Fermín, Barrio de Santiago and the village of La Zarza, all with open-air music and dining evenings, contests and fun and games for youngsters.
Procesión de La "Abuelica": On 26th July this procession takes place at the Franciscan monastery of Santa Ana.
AUGUST
Annual Fair and Fiestas in honour of the Virgen de la Asunción: These week-long fiestas around 15th August in honour of the patron of Jumilla are marked by a festive atmosphere throughout the town, with live music, contest, sporting competitions and a funfair.
Fiesta de la Vendimia: Coinciding with the annual fiestas in honour of the Virgen de la Asunción, this event, which marks the start of the grape harvest, has been awarded Regional Tourist Interest status. It includes the installation of a wine fountain and three main parades, one traditional, one for children and the last one being the Gran Cabalgata del Vino, in which participants get soaked with thousands of litres of red wine!
National “Ciudad de Jumilla" folk music festival: Organized by the local Grupo de Coros y Danzas, this acclaimed musical event is based in the Plaza de la Glorieta and attracts participants from the rest of Spain and from abroad. Also featured are street parades and a Folk Evening.
Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos: These celebrations last for three days and include the Procession of the Virgen de la Asunción, the re-enactment of the conquest of Jumilla Castle and a spectacular Moors and Christians costume parade, complete with musical accompaniment, to commemorate the events of the Reconquista in the 14th century.
Procesión de San Roque: On 16th August Jumilla holds a procession in honour of San Roque, who according to tradition protected the town from the plague.
Miniferia del Vino: A chance to sample D.O. Jumilla wines in the Jardín del Rey D. Pedro.
Fiestas in Cañada del Trigo: Held in honour of the Virgen de los Remedios.
Fiestas in Torre del Rico: Held in honour of the Virgen del Rosario, the festivities include open-air meals and a parade.
Fiestas in La Estacada: The village hosts gastronomic events and open-air concerts and dancing.
SEPTEMBER
Romería del Niño de las Uvas: A celebration in which the figure of the Niño de las Uvas is carried up to the monastery of Santa Ana in the mountains on the first Sunday of the month.
World Tourism Day: The monuments and museums of Jumilla open their doors to the public.
Fieastas in Román: Held in honour of Santa Rita.
NOVEMBER
Jornadas Gastronómicas: Wine and fine dining in the bars and restaurants affiliated to the Jumilla Wine Route, with special menus and tapas accompanied by D.O. Jumilla wines.
European Wine Tourism Day: The bodegas of the Jumilla Wine Route open their doors to the public, along with the Castle and the town’s museums.
DECEMBER
Christmas: The festive season in Jumilla is celebrated in a number of ways, including the traditional Christmas concert, a route of “Belenes” (nativity scenes), performances in the Teatro Vico and the Christmas market.
Fiestas de la Virgen del Loreto: Celebrated in the old town centre on 10th December.
For more information about visiting Jumilla, including what's on, local news and all of the bodegas on the Jumilla wine route, visit the home page of Jumilla Today.
