ARCHIVED - December 7 to January 6 Christmas and New Year 2022-23 in Alhama de Murcia
Tourist train, guided tours, carols, music, a Christmas market and plenty of festive fun for children in Alhama de Murcia
As ever, Alhama de Murcia offers a busy programme of Christmas activities this year, with plenty of free choral and carol concerts, lots of activities for youngsters, a tourist train, the municipal nativity scene and of course the parade of the Three Kings on 5th January.
Most activities are free unless apart from a few charity fundraisers, and take place in the area between the Los Baños archaeological museum, the parish church of San Lázaro, the Teatro Cine Velasco in the corner of the Jardín de los Patos, the Casa de Cultura and Parque Cubana opposite the town hall and the tourist office.
Pre-Xmas shopping promotion: win a trip to Disneyland in a Christmas treasure hunt!
Christmas Tourist Train: The Christmas tourist train is running around the town centre of Alhama de Murcia from December 17 to January 6. Rides start and finish at the bus stop in Avenida Juan Carlos I, opposite the marketplace, and tickets cost just 1 euro.
Timetable:
December 17, 18 and 26 onwards 10.30 to 13.30 and 16.30 to 20.30.
December 19, 20, 21, 22, 23: 16.30 to 20.30.
December 24, 31: 10.30 to 13.30.
December 25 and January 1: no service.
The Belén Municipal, the municipal nativity scene: Open December 18 to January 9 at the Museo Arqueológico Los Baños. Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.30, Sundays 10.00 to 14.00.
Father Christmas’ house: in the Casa Amarilla, Plaza de las Américas from December 7 to 24.
Timetable:
December 7, 16, 23: 17.00 to 20.30
December 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18: 10.30 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 20.30
December 24: 10.30 to 14.00
Reservations can be made on the Town Hall website.
Christmas market in Plaza de la Constitución, December 16 to 18
December 16 from 17.00 to 21.00, December 17 and 18 from 10.00 to 21.00.
Ice rink in the Auditorio Municipal Tierno Galván.
From December 31 to January 2, open 11.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 20.00. Admission free of charge!
Main venues
Tourist Information Office telephone 968 633512
Los Baños Archaeological Museum Los Baños (a 2-minute walk from the tourist office) telephone 968 630776
Pósito Municipal exhibition centre
The schedule of events and activities over Christmas and the New Year in Alhama includes the following:
Wednesday December 7
17.00: In Alhama Father Christmas resides not in a grotto but in a small house, which is built specially for him and is located in the “ludoteca” at the back of the Casa Amarilla in Plaza de Las Américas. He opens his doors to children today to receive present letters over the coming weeks.
18.30: Switching on of the Christmas lights in the town.
Tuesday December 13
11.00: Free tour IN ENGLISH of the Los Baños archaeological museum. Click here for further information.
Thursday December 15
18.00: The judging panel of the shop window decoration competition visit stores in the town to mull over their decisions.
20.00: An exhibition of paintings by pupils of the Fomateart association opens at the Centro de Exposiciones El Pósito. The exhibition runs until January 15.
Friday December 16
17.00: The opening of the 5th annual Christmas market of Alhama de Murcia in the Plaza de la Constitución.
Saturday December 17
9.00 to 17.00: Collection of toys by the KeDeKe fiestas group so that they can be distributed by the Cáritas charity as presents to children in need throughout the municipality. Venue: outside the Casa Amarilla in Plaza de las Américas.
11.00: The 11th annual children’s Christmas choral concert, organized by Coral Audite Omnes, in the Casa de Cultura. Admission free of charge.
11.00: Biscuit making workshop for children in the Plaza de Abastos.
11.00: Guided tour IN ENGLISH of the town centre of Alhama de Murcia. Click here for further information
19.00: Holy Mass in honour of San Lázaro Obispo, the patron saint of Alhama, including an offering of non-perishable foodstuffs (in the parish church of San Lázaro).
20.00: The official opening speech of the festive celebrations is given in the church of San Lázaro, followed by a performance by the Audite Omnes choir. Admission free of charge.
Sunday December 18
8.30: Ramblers and climbers set up the “belén”, or nativity scene, at the Pico del Morrón, at an altitude of 1,444 metres above sea level in the mountains of Sierra Espuña. Every year this is the highest belén in the Region of Murcia!
Those taking part set out from the Parque de La Cubana by car, parking at Collado Mangueta and then going on to the “Morrón de Alhama”. Further information and registration at alhamacoym.blogspot.com
11.00: Free dramatized visit in Spanish to the old town of Alhama de Murcia. Click here for further information.
11.00: Christmas games workshop for children and adults in the Auditorio Municipal.
11.30: The official presentation and opening of the Belén Municipal in the Museo Arqueológico Los Baños. The nativity scene remains open to the public this year until January 9.
Friday December 23
19.00: Christmas carol concert offered by Aires de Espuña and the Aula Flamenca de Alhama in the Teatro Cine Velasco, raising funds for the AECC cancer charity. Admission 5 euros.
21.00: Another Christmas concert, this time featuring the Ateneo Músico Cultural Maestro José Antonio Ayala and young pupils at the municipal music school, in the church of San Lázaro. Admission free of charge.
Sunday December 25, Christmas Day
17.30: The figure of the Virgen de la Candelaria is brought down from her chapel in the mountains to the church of La Concepción, accompanied by the music of “Taller de Músicos de Sonata”. Members of the public are invited to join in with their own instruments and voices, as the parade makes its way from the Ermita del Collao to the Ermita del Padre Manuel, Rambla San Roque, Calle Moreras and the church of La Concepción.
19.00: Christmas dance with music by José Herrero at the Centro de Mayores.
20.30: The nativity play of the shepherds, the Auto Sacramental de los Pastores, is performed by the Grupo de Coros y Danzas Virgen del Rosario at the Teatro Cine Velasco. Admission free of charge.
Monday December 26
17.00: Christmas “Aguinaldo” parade with everyone invited to come along and sing or make music in the streets of Alhama. Route: Sonata Centro de Música, Calle Los Pasos, Calle Cartagena, Calle La Feria, Calle Corredera, Calle Los Postigos, Calle Miguel Servet, Calle La Feria, Calle Juan Carlos I. You don’t have to be a musician, just come along and enjoy the fun!
18.00: “El Reino del León”, a musical suitable for children aged 4 and over at the Teatro Cine Velasco. Admission free of charge.
Tuesday December 27
11.30: Kart racing for youngsters aged 12 and over at the circuit of La Venta del Río, departing from Alhama. Price 16 euros including coach transport, kart hire and admission. Registration open until December 23 in the Concejalía de Juventud (Casa de Cultura, Avenida Constitución, telephone 968 631985).
18.00: Puppet theatre for children in the Plaza de la Constitución.
Wednesday December 28
20.00: Christmas music in the Casa de Cultura featuring the various local groups. Admission free of charge.
Thursday December 29
11.30: Paintball for youngsters aged 12 and over at La Venta del Río venue, departing from Alhama. Price 16 euros including coach transport, clothing hire and materials. Registration open until December 27 in the Concejalía de Juventud (Casa de Cultura, Avenida Constitución, telephone 968 631985).
19.30: Harry Potter storytelling at the Casa de Cultura. Admission free of charge.
20.00: Christmas music in the Casa de Cultura featuring the various local groups. Admission free of charge.
Friday December 30
17.00: Children’s New Year’s Eve with music and the chimes of “midnight” in the marquee in Parque La Cubana.
Saturday December 31, New Year’s Eve
10.00: An ice rink set up in the Auditorio Municipal Tierno Galván opens to the public.
22.30: New Year’s Eve Ball in the Centro de Mayores.
Sunday January 1
19.00: New Year’s Ball in the Centro de Mayores.
Monday January 2
12.00 to 20.00: The Royal Pages collect letters from children to deliver them to the Three Kings, stationing themselves at the door of the Town Hall, outside the Casa de las Américas and in the Plaza de Abastos.
Tuesday January 3
12.00 to 20.00: The Royal Pages man their posts once again.
18.00: Puppet theatre for children in the Plaza de la Constitución.
Wednesday January 4
12.00 to 20.00: The Royal Pages are again on duty.
17.00: Open doors at Club Slot Alhama at Calle Río Enero nº 9 for Scalextric racing fans!
Thursday January 5
17.00: Their Royal Highness the Three Kings greet the children of Alhama with small gifts in the Plaza de la Constitución.
19.00: The Grand Parade of the Three Kings. Route: Plaza de la Constitución, Calle Constantino López, Plaza del Nazareno, Calle San Francisco Javier, Rambla Don Diego, Calle Corredera, Calle La Feria, Calle Juan Carlos I, Plaza de la Constitución.
Friday January 6, Three Kings Day
11.00: The traditional Auto de los Reyes Magos play is performed with music by the Cuadrilla de El Berro and the Escuela de Música at various locations in the mountain village of El Berro. Followed by Mass at the local church.
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Alhama Today.
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: 9.30am-2.30pm
- Saturdays: 10am-1pm
- Sundays and Mondays: closed
For more local information, including news and forthcoming events, visit the home page of Alhama Today.
