National Public Holidays in Spain 2008 |
1 January |
New Year's Day - Año Nuevo (Tuesday) |
6 January |
Epiphany - Epifanía (Sunday) celebrated in many regions |
19 March |
San Jose (Wednesday) celebrated in many regions |
20 March |
Maundy Thursday - Jueves Santo (Thursday) celebrated in many regions |
21 March |
Good Friday - Viernes Santo (Friday) |
1 May |
Labour Day - Fiesta del Trabajo (Thursday) |
15 August |
Assumption - Asunción (Friday) celebrated in many regions |
12 October |
National Day - Día nacional (Sunday) |
1 November |
All Saints' Day - El día de Todos los Santos (Saturday) |
6 December |
Constitution Day - Día de la Constitución (Saturday) |
8 December |
Immaculate Conception - La Inmaculada (Monday) |
25 December |
Christmas Day - Día de Navidad (Thursday) |
| Costa Cálida Public Holidays 2008 |
| 19 March |
San José celebrated in Valencia and Murcia (Wednesday) |
| 20 March |
Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo), Murcia |
| 9 June |
Murcia's National Day (Monday) |
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School Year |
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| Murcia 2006-2007 |
End of the school year
(Final de curso escolar) Primary |
Friday 22 June 2007 |
End of the school year
(Final de curso escolar) Secondary |
Thursday 28 June 2007 |
Murcia 2007-2008 |
Back to school
(Infant and Primary) |
Tuesday 11 September 2007 |
Back to school
(ESO, FP and Bachillerato) |
Monday 17 September 2007 |
Christmas holidays
(Vacaciones de Navidad) |
Friday 21 December 2007 -
Sunday 6 January 2008 |
Easter holidays
(Vacaciones de Pascua) |
Monday 17 March 2008 -
Monday 24 March 2008 |
End of the school year
(Final de curso escolar) Primary |
Friday 20 June 2008 |
End of the school year
(Final de curso escolar) Secondary |
Thursday 26 June 2008 |
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| Christmas Events |
The Three Kings
Children in Spain have to wait a little longer for their UK counterparts because it is not Father Christmas that brings the presents but “Los Reyes Magos”. The three Kings arrive in the very early hours of January 6 when all good children are supposed to be fast asleep. Children write letters to them in December asking for the presents they want, and if they are very good, they get them. Naughty children are supposed to get coal instead of presents.
The Three Kings or The Three Wise Men, in the Bible, travelled from the east, following a star to find baby Jesus and bring him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Traditionally the three Kings are Melchor, the oldest King who has white hair and a full white beard, Gaspar who is middle aged and has blonde hair and beard and Baltasar who is the youngest and is coloured.
Most towns have a parade on the evening of the 5th January featuring the kings and their entourages. In some parades the kings ride on floats, in others on horseback or even on camels. The biggest parade in the Region take place in the city of Murcia. Children from the town, and their families, gather on the streets to watch the parade go by with great excitement. Traditionally, a special cake called “Roscon de Reyes” is eaten on the 5th after the parade and the 6th January. It’s in the form of a ring and is made from sweet dough which is decorated with sugar and jelly sweets. Lucky charms are hidden inside. This is accompanied by hot chocolate.
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| Holy Week - Easter Processions |
Easter week is celebrated throughout all of Spain with religious processions, and the city of Murcia is no exception. In fact it is distinguished by several variations on the usual theme including nocturnal processions and the custom of handing out sweets, boiled eggs and buns. Holy Week in Murcia has been described as an explosion of beauty, passion and Baroque. The night sky illuminated with candles and lanterns; the mingling scents of orange blossom and incense; the colour and the music - all these things combine to create a very atmospheric effect. Through the afternoon of Ash Wednesday, the red cloaked and hooded attendants of Aurora parade the streets. On Thursday night the city lights are switched off and the procession passes in a silence broken only by the choirs of the different brotherhoods. Good Friday morning sees the procession of "Los Salzillos". Members of the Nazarenes brotherhood begin their march at dawn dressed in purple gowns
The exact day of the procession can vary each year, but are normally celebrated at the end of March and first week of April.
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The Spring Festival - Fiestas de Primavera |
Bando de la Huerta
Murcia City’s local week long festival is celebrated the week following Easter and is most colourful. The Murcians dress in traditional “Huertano” clothing to celebrate the Bando de la Huerta (Huerta parade) on the Tuesday after the Holy processions.
Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) parade on the Saturday after de Bando de la Huerta.
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