November and December 2025 Jewish Lorca festival
Guided tours, Sephardic menus and contemporary Jewish cultural offerings enhance the Jewish heritage of the city of Lorca
The 10th edition of the “Jewish Lorca” festival of contemporary Jewish culture is being held in Lorca druing the week of 23rd to 30th November , continuing the association between the city and Sephardic Judaism which was embodied in the medieval synagogue as long ago as the 15th century.
Throughout the three days of the festival there are events concerned with photography, dance, theatre, music, cinema, design and gastronomy, as well as guided tours, Sephardic menus and historical recreations.
The schedule for this edition of Jewish Lorca is one of the most comprehensive yet, and the event has recently been included in the regional tourist board’s “Festivales Región de Murcia” program, marking its increased prestige.
The program during the week includes the following:
Sunday November 23
18.30: Ella con Ellos, the opening concert of the festival, featuring Mor Karbasi with Sergio de Lope and José Carra at the ciuFRONT museum.
Saturday November 29
16.30 to 18.30: “II experience Jewish Music” by M. Lacroix (DJ session) in the Plaza Calderón.
20.00: “Mezcla de culturas” by Mixtura, a concert in the Baroque Room of the Palacio de Guevara.
Sunday November 30
13.00: Klezmer, a concert offered by the Cat Klezmer Trio at the Fortaleza del Sol (Lorca castle).
December 13 and 14
Various activities throughout the city, including local heritage, gastronomy and the history of the Jews in Lorca. Guided tours of the synagogue and the medieval Jewish quarter, as well as of the whole of Lorca castle, and a special menu drawing on inspiration from Sephardic Jewish traditions will be available at the Las Caballerizas restaurant within the castle.
Also programmed is a family tour called “Un Castillo de Cuento”, an entertaining way of interesting youngsters in the history of the city.
Thursday December 19
18.00: The ceremonial lighting of the hannukah at the remains of the synagogue in Lorca castle, featuring a concert entitled “Dylan, Reed & Cohen revisited” by Bernal.
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today.
Address
Calle Lope Gisbert, 12, LorcaTel: 968 441914
Oficina de Turismo de Lorca
The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites, and historic buildings, around which the modern city has built its tourism industry. Among these are Lorca Castle, the Jewish quarter of the castle and synagogue, Plaza de España, Colegiata de San Patricio, Museo de Arqueologico Municipal, Iglesia de San Francisco, Casa Huerto Ruano, Palacio de Guevara, Iglesia de San Mateo, Pósito de los Panaderos, Convento Virgen de las Huertas, Antiguo Convento de la Merced, Iglesia del Carmen and the Teatro Guerra.
Unfortunately Lorca has also been prone to natural disaster, suffering a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as two earthquakes measuring 5.3 and 5.5 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011, claiming 9 lives. Since this earthquake the city has been rebuilding, winning recognition for its Lorca, Open for Restoration initiative, which used the restoration of the city as a tourist attraction whilst it rebuilt its historical buildings, some of which are currently still not open.
The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).
Lorca also has an area of coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only along difficult tracks or by boat!
However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the historic castle.
Opening hours for Lorca tourist office:
Every day of the year apart from 1st and 6th January and 25th December, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30 (except Sunday afternoons).
These opening times are often extended and other information points created during the Semana Santa celebrations.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
See what's on in Lorca:
