October 4 to 25 Annual fiestas in Los Alcázares
Highlights include the Día del Caldero on October 12 and the Gastromar festival the following weekend
Los Alcázares celebrates 42 years of municipal independence on October 13
Every October the local fiestas of Los Alcázares are held around 13th October to commemorate the anniversary of the town being granted municipal independence in 1983, and this year the festivities are programmed to last from October 4 to October 25.
However, the fiestas don't officially begin until Freiday 10th October in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez alongside the Town Hall, when the "chupinazo", takes place, and two days later, on the National Day of Spain, is the annual Día del Caldero. This is when, weather permitting, thousands of people gather on the beach for a lunch of the traditional “caldero” fish stock and rice dish – topped off with a generous dollop of alioli - and is without a doubt one of the highlights of the year for the population along the inland shore of the Mar Menor.
13th October is marked by official commemorations of municipal Independence, while other highlights include the numerous live music events, the “Surfari” surfers’ gathering and the gastronomic events entitled "Saborea" and “Gastromar” (both from the 17th to the 19th of the month).
The full program can be found in Spanish here, with selected highlights including the following:
October 3 and 4
The 1st Congress about the development of the Mar Menor throughout history, in the plenary hall of the Town Hall of Los Alcázares.
October 4 and 5
Regional chess championships (by teams and age groups) at the municipal library on Avenida Joaquín Blume.
Saturday October 4
10.00 to 14.00: The Feria de Asociaciones in the Plaza de la Feria, a chance for local clubs, societies and associations to show what they do and attract new members.
22.30: Gala to choose the municipal Ambassadors for the fiestas and their Court of Honour. Venue; Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
Sunday October 5
10.00: Charity walk to raise funds for Spanish cancer charity AECC, starting at the monument to Saza and continuing along the Paseo de Carrión. Registration 8 euros for adults, 5 euros for children. Participation numbers to be collected on Tuesday 30th September.
12.00: The Lateen class “Regata del Caldero”, sailing on the Mar Menor, based at the Playa de la Pescadería
Friday October 10
21.45: The “chupinazo” firecrackers are set off in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez, next to the Town Hall.
22.30: Live music from Los Inhumanos outside the Town Hall.
Saturday October 11
23.00: Corazón Oxidado, a tribute concert to Fito y Fitipaldis in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
Sunday October 12, the Gran Día del Caldero
11.00: The fun, cooking and entertainment begin all along the seafront, on Paseo Carrión, Pescadería, Plaza del Espejo and Playa de las Palmeras (next to the calisthenics park).
Monday October 13
22.00: The military band of the Academia General del Aire perform in Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
Tuesday October 14
20.00: Historia en papel: el Billete municipal de Los Alcázares at the Museo Aeronáutico.
Wednesday October 15
A giant caldero for the elder members of the community at the fairground in Avenida Joaquín Blume.
21.00: Live music and entertainment with Blanca Villa, a tribute to Rocío Jurado, Sandra Bruman and Lumaky in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
22.00: hot chocolate with churros in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
Thursday October 16
20.00: Sports gala in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
October 17 to 19
The 26th annual SURFARI MAR MENOR event along the Paseo Carrión and at the Playa de la Concha.
Friday October 17
The GASTROMAR festival begins with the following activities and events:
17.30: Free activity for children on the stage on Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárquez. Prior registration is required.
19.00: 11.30: The Gourmet Market opens on Calle Real de la Feria and Calle Los Luisos.
20.00 to 23.30: “Saborea Los Alcázares”, in which various restaurants from the Region of Murcia offer special tapas in Calle Concepción, opposite the Plaza de la Feria.
20.30 to 23.30: DJ music on the Saborea stage.
21.00: A boat trip with tastings included starts at the jetty of La Pescadería, prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 10 euros, 40 places available.
21.00: Wine tasting and tapas in Plaza Y Manuel Floreal Menárguez. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 25 euros, 120 places available.
21.00: Cheese tasting at the Museo Aeronáutico. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 10 euros, 40 places available.
23.30: “Juanca Supersub DJ” in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
Saturday October 18
GASTROMAR continues…
10.00 to 13.00: PequeChef (4 sessions of young chef activities on the Paseo Real de la Feria, outside CaixaBank). Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). No fee, 20 places available for each session.
11.30: The Gourmet Market opens on Calle Real de la Feria and Calle Los Luisos.
12.00: Rice dishes showcooking in Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 6 euros, 100 places available.
21.00: A boat trip with Vermouth tasting included starts at the jetty of La Pescadería, prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 10 euros, 40 places available.
12.30 to 16.00: “Saborea Los Alcázares” continues in Calle Concepción, opposite the Plaza de la Feria.
12.30: Jerez wine tasting with pairings and live flamenco music at the Balneario de la Encarnación. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 25 euros, 60 places available.
13.00 to 16.30: DJ music on the Escenario Saborea.
17.00 to 20.00: PequeChef (4 sessions of young chef activities on the Paseo Real de la Feria, outside CaixaBank). Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). No fee, 20 places available for each session.
18.30: Bluefin tuna slicing on the Escenario Saborea stage. No admission fee.
20.00 to 23.30: “Saborea Los Alcázares” continues in Calle Concepción, opposite the Plaza de la Feria.
20.00: Taste the T-bone steak prepared by Restaurante La Tropical, voted the best barbecue grill of Spain in 2023, at the Escenario SABOREA. Price 3 euros, to be donated to charity (approximately 200 portions available).
21.00: A boat trip with beer provided by Estrella de Levante starts at the jetty of La Pescadería, prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 6 euros, 40 places available.
21.00: Taste products from the north-west of the Region of Murcia (extra virgin olive oil, honey, Bullas wines, sausages, etc) at the Balneario La Encarnación. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 10 euros, 50 places available.
21.00: Wine tasting with pairings in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 20 euros, 120 places available.
23.30: Live music from Señor Aliaga in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez.
Sunday October 19
The last day of GASTROMAR…
9.00: Free buns with hot chocolate at the Hotel Atrio del Mar.
10.00 to 13.00: PequeChef (4 sessions of young chef activities on the Paseo Real de la Feria, outside CaixaBank). Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). No fee, 20 places available for each session.
10.00 to 12.00: Tacos workshop at the Hotel Atrio del Mar. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 15 euros, 20 places available.
10.00 to 14.00: Charity ham-slicing event in the Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez. Price 5 euros (in cash) per person to be donated to the local Cruz Roja. Alongside there is DJ music, a photocall, face-painting and music.
11.30: The Gourmet Market opens on Calle Real de la Feria and Calle Los Luisos.
12.00: A boat trip with wine provided by Bodegas Madrid Romero in Jumilla and salted fish products from Salazones Garre starts at the jetty of La Pescadería, prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 10 euros, 40 places available.
12.30 to 16.00: “Saborea Los Alcázares” continues in Calle Concepción, opposite the Plaza de la Feria.
13.00: Sushi masterclass and tasting at the Hotel Atrio del Mar. Prior registration is necessary at www.gastromarlosalcazares.com (open from 9th October at 21.00). Price 10 euros, 80 places available.
13.00: DJ music on the Escenario Saborea stage.
17.00: The concert to mark the end of Gastromar on the Escenario Saborea stage.
Sunday October 19
16.30 to 20.30: Drilo Park comes to the fairground on Avenida Joaquín Blume, providing fun and music for infants.
Saturday October 25
Classic motor vehicle display.
For more local news, events and visiting information contact the tourist offices in Los Alcázares or go to the home page of Los Alcázares Today.
Address
Avenida 13 de Octubre, 12, Los AlcazaresTel: 968 575756
Information for residents and visitors in Los Alcázares and Los Narejos
Despite being a relatively small municipality Los Alcázares relies to such a large extent on year-round tourism that it operates two tourist information offices, one in the town itself and the other in the seafront district of Los Narejos.
The fully qualified staff at both offices strive to provide you with all the information you need to make the most of your time in Los Alcázares, recommending places to visit, things to do and upcoming events in the area as well as practical help. The multitude of leaflets on offer will help you to fully enjoy the Costa Cálida and the Mar Menor!
Contact details:
Los Alcázares office
Avenida Trece de Octubre, 8, 30710 Los Alcázares, Murcia (click for map)
Open year-round weekdays 9.00 to 14.00.
Additional opening hours in summer during the afternoon, weekdays 17.00 to 19.00 and on Saturday and Sunday mornings 10.00 to 13.00.
Telephone: 968 575756
Email: turismo@losalcazares.es
Los Narejos office
Avenida Cartagena, esquina Calle Piscis (click for map)
Open on weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 throughout the year.
Telephone: 968 582119
Email: turismolosnarejos@losalcazares.es
