February 22 to March 21 The annual Carnival celebrations in Aguilas
Águilas hosts the biggest and most spectacular Carnival celebrations in the Region of Murcia
The definitive calendar for the 2025 Carnival celebrations in Águilas, an annual event which has been granted International Torist Interest status, has been published, with the month-long fiestas lasting this year from Saturday February 22 to Friday March 21.
The main events of Carnaval 2025 in Águilas include the following:
Sunday February 16
8.30: The 31st edition of the annual “Carnavales de Águilas” duathlon begins outside the Auditorio Infanta Doña Elena. Click here for further details.
Saturday February 22
9.00 to 14.00: Carnival rowing regatta at the Club Náutico de Águilas, part of the Liga Llaut del Mediterráneo competition.
21.00: The Grand Gala at which the official Carnival offices and titles are handed over by the 2024 dignitaries to those named for 2025, at the Pabellón Diego Calvo Valera.
Sunday February 23
9.00: The opening day of the Carnival sailing regatta at the Club Náutico de Águilas, including the competition for the annual "Estrella de Levante" trophy.
12.00: The 16th annual "Música de Carnaval" festival featuring town bands at the Auditorio y Palacio de Congresos "Infanta Doña Elena".
20.00: The 23rd annual paper costume and body make-up contest at the Pabellón Diego Calvo Valera. This is an extraordinary event with magnificent costumes which it is hard to believe are made of paper. Tickets are sold by the Federation of Carnival Peñas.
Tuesday February 25
12.00: A recreation of the main Carnival battle at the Águilas Plaza shopping mall.
19.00: Prizes are awarded at the Casa de la Cultura "Francisco Rabal" for the "Carnaval de Águilas 2025" literature competition.
Wednesday February 26
13.00: A traditional ceremony to weigh the main figures in the Carnival and donate their weight in products to local good causes. The venue is yet to be confirmed but this normally takes place in the Plaza de España.
Thursday February 27
22.30: The main events of Carnival begin with the 24th “Suelta de la Mussona”, the release of the carnal beast of Carnival from the castle, from where it makes its way down to the town centre amid taunting and provocation from the assembled crowds! The Mussona arrives in the Plaza de España at approximately 23.45, to be greeted by firecrackers and the opening of the “chiringuito” open-air bars.
(The Mussona is a figure which represents the dual nature of man, as both something wild, the beast within and man seen from outside, a way of expressing the battle between order and chaos; this is essentially what Carnival is all about!)
Friday February 28
9.30: Schools’ parades at the primary and secondary schools of Águilas.
20.00: 34th annual competition at the camp of the Federación de Peñas to find the best “Cuerva” (a local liqueur typical of the Carnvial celebrations). The competition begins at the Carnival fairground.
During the evening the “chirigota” group Las Esturreás perform in the streets, with performances planned for 17.30 by the yuccas on the promenade (Blas Rosique Blaya), 20.30 at the Parque Blanco on Avenida Juan Carlos I and 23.00 at the Fuente de la Colonia on the Paseo de la Constitución.
(Chirigotas are satirical folk songs which are typically sung by costumed performers during Carnival, and have their origins in Cádiz, in the south-west of Spain.)
The Chirigota de Águilas will also be performing during the evening.
20.30: The children’s Mussona beast is released.
21.30: After the junior Mussona arrives in the Plaza de España the children’s battle between Doña Cuaresma and Don Carnal is held and the opening speech for children is given. During this battle, supporters of Don Carnal and Dona Cuaresma pelt each other with “Cascarones” (eggs which have been blown out and filled with confetti): a noisy, fun event!
Saturday March 1
9.00: The second leg of the 23rd sailing regatta at the Club Náutico, with prizes awarded later in the day at 18.30.
22.00: The Plaza de España hosts the main battle between Doña Cuaresma and Don Carnal, followed by the Carnival opening speech and the welcome of the Mayoress.
Sunday March 2
18.00: The first of the grand parades of this year’s Carnival, with floats and carriages in Avenida Juan Carlos I and Calle Rey Carlos III. Seats to watch the main parades can be booked in advance: click here for details (only season tickets for all four major parades are available until February 12 at 17.00).
Monday March 3
17.00: Children’s Carnival party in the Plaza de España.
Midnight: Carnaval de Noche, the night Carnival in the Plaza de España.
Tuesday March 4
18.00: The second of the grand parades of this year’s Carnival, with floats and carriages in Avenida Juan Carlos I and Calle Rey Carlos III. Seats to watch the main parades can be booked in advance: click here for details (only season tickets for all four major parades are available until February 12 at 17.00).
Thursday March 6
20.00 and 22.00: The traditional performances by La Murga of "Los ciegos, ciegos perdíos" at the Auditorio y Palacio de congresos Infanta Doña Elena.
Friday March 7
18.00: The parade of visiting “comparsas” (or Carnival troupes) from other parts of the country in Avenida Juan Carlos I and Calle Rey Carlos III. This is the 27th time the event has been held. Seats to watch the main parades can be booked in advance: click here for details (only season tickets for all four major parades are available until February 12 at 17.00).
20.00 and 22.00: The traditional performances by La Murga of "Los ciegos, ciegos perdíos" at the Auditorio y Palacio de Congresos Infanta Doña Elena.
Saturday March 8
18.00: The last of the grand parades of this year’s Carnival, with floats and carriages in Avenida Juan Carlos I and Calle Rey Carlos III. Seats to watch the main parades can be booked in advance: click here for details (only season tickets for all four major parades are available until February 12 at 17.00).
Approximately midnight, after the parade: The ceremonial burning of the figure of Don Carnal, followed by fireworks, in the Puerto de Poniente.
After this the prizes for the Carnival of Águilas 2025 are awarded in the Plaza de España.
Friday March 14
20.00 and 22.00: The Chirigota de Águlas perform at the Auditorio y Palacio de Congresos Infanta Doña Elena.
Saturday March 15
7.00: An angling competition from moored boats at the fishing port.
22.00: The 21st annual National Drag Queen gala and contest at the Auditorio Infanta Doña Elena.
Friday March 21
21.00: The national Chirigotas competition and gala performance at the Auditorio y Palacio de congresos "Infanta Doña Elena".
Saturday March 22
18.30, 20.30 and 22.30: Performances by the Chirigota “Las Esturreas” at the Casa de la Cultura Francisco Rabal.
If visiting Águilas, your first port of call should be the local tourist office (click here for map, telephone 0034 968 493 285, email turismo@aguilas.es).
For more local events, news and visiting information you can go to the home page of Águilas Today
Image: Ayuntamiento de Águilas
Address
Tourist Information Office, Plaza de Antonio Cortijos, s/n. 30880-AguilasTel: 968 493 285
Oficina de Turismo de Águilas
Águilas boasts 28 kilometres of coastline, with many fine, sandy beaches, sheltered coves and unspoilt natural beaches. It is a great summer favourite with Spanish holidaymakers, so always has a superb programme of concerts and activities throughout the summer, as well as the biggest carnival in the Region of Murcia, 40 days before Semana Santa (Easter.)
Throughout the year it also has a number of museums and historical attractions, a castle with fabulous views overlooking the bay and several other points of interest, all of which make it an good place to visit for days out. Throughout the year the tourist office runs monthly guided tours and the route of the railways, which explores the railway history of the town.
The tourist information office is located in the Plaza de Antonio Cortijos, just a short walk from the sea front and Plaza de España, a cool, shaded space in which to enjoy a coffee.
More information about Águilas including beaches, what to see, what's on and tourist information can be found on ÁGUILAS TODAY
Opening Hours Tourism Office Águilas
16th September to 30th April 2019
Monday to Saturday: 10.00 to 14.00 and 17:00 to 19:00
Sundays and bank hollidays: 10.00 to 14.00 h.
CHRISTMAS
24th and December 31st: 10.00 to 14.00 h.
December 25th, 1st and 6th January: Closed
CARNIVAL
Carnival Saturday: 10.00 to 14.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00 h.
Carnival Sunday: 10.00 to 14.00 h.
Carnival Monday: 10.00 to 14.00 h.
Shrove Tuesday: 10.00 to 14.00 h.
Piñata Sunday: 10.00 to 14.00 h.
EASTER
Thursday and Friday: 10.00 to 14.00 h.
MAY, JUNE AND FIRST HALF OF SEPTEMBER
Monday to Friday: 09.00 to 14.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00 h.
Saturday: 10.00 to 14.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00 h.
Sundays: 10.00 to 14.00 h.
JULY AND AUGUST
Monday to Friday: 09.30 to 14.00 and from 17.00 to 21.00 h.
Saturday: 10.00 to 14.00 and from 17.00 to 21.00 h.
Sundays: 10.00 to 14.00 h.
