The essentials of the "fiestas de primavera" in Murcia

With Easter Week barely over, Murcia doesn’t miss a beat and dives straight into one of its most eagerly awaited celebrations: the spring festivities. For an entire week, the city becomes a hive of activity for all ages, with a program that kicks off with energy on Sunday and culminates in the spectacular Burial of the Sardine on Saturday night. Here's what to expect each day during this uniquely Murcian celebration.

Sunday: Opening of the "fiestas de primavera" or Murcia’s spring festivities
Sunday marks the official start of the spring festivities with an inauguration event where local authorities give the starting signal for a week full of activities. From this day on, the barracas (traditional food stalls) open in various parts of the city, offering locals and visitors the chance to enjoy regional specialties like michirones, zarangollo, paparajotes, and other delights from the Murcian countryside.

Monday: The children’s Bando
Monday is dedicated to the youngest participants with the Bando infantil. This children’s parade features kids dressed in traditional huertano outfits walking through the streets of central Murcia. Children’s peñas huertanas (traditional groups) go all out to create an original parade, accompanied by choirs and dance troupes. There are also workshops and kid-friendly activities throughout the city.

Tuesday: The big day – Bando de la Huerta
Tuesday brings the main event of the week: the Bando de la Huerta. From early in the morning, thousands of locals and tourists wear traditional huertano clothing and enjoy a day packed with activities. The Bando parade, which travels through Murcia’s main streets, is a tribute to the rural life and customs of the huerta, featuring floats, animals, and scenes from traditional life. All day long, the barracas offer typical Murcian dishes, often with live performances of regional folk music.

Wednesday: Children’s Burial of the Sardine
Wednesday is all about the younger crowd again with the Entierro infantil de la Sardina, a child-friendly version of Saturday’s big parade. The little ones take part in a colorful procession with floats and costumes inspired by sardines and mythology. The day also includes animation shows and creative workshops.

Thursday: Battle of the flowers
Thursday brings one of the most visually stunning events of the week: the Batalla de las Flores (Battle of the Flowers). In this vibrant parade, flower-covered floats travel through Murcia’s main streets—including Santo Domingo, the cathedral area, and city hall—while participants throw over 200,000 flowers into the crowd, creating a spectacular rain of color and fragrance.

Friday: Reading of Doña Sardina’s will
On Friday, the reading of Doña Sardina’s Will takes place (in 2025, it will be read by Lidia Torrent). This traditional event, held in the Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, is a humorous and satirical reading filled with jokes, political and social commentary, and cheeky references to current events. It's a local favorite that draws a big crowd and plenty of laughter.

Saturday: Grand parade and Burning of the Sardine
Saturday is the big finale of the spring festivities with the Entierro de la Sardina. The day starts with a parade down Avenida Alfonso X, where comparsas (parade groups) and sardineras warm up for the night’s main event.

At night, the grand Entierro de la Sardina parade winds through the city with imaginative floats inspired by mythology. Thousands of toys are handed out to the crowd—a beloved tradition that especially thrills children. The festival ends with the dramatic burning of a giant sardine, symbolizing the conclusion of the festivities and bidding farewell to a week full of joy and celebration.

Sunday: Closing of the barracas
Sunday marks the official end of the spring festivities with the closure of the barracas. It's the last chance to enjoy traditional Murcian cuisine and say goodbye to one of the most anticipated weeks of the year in the Region of Murcia.

Murcia’s spring festivities are the perfect opportunity to experience its traditions, food, and joyful spirit at their best. If you haven’t yet been part of it, now’s the time—because only by living it can you truly discover the magic that brings thousands of people back year after year.