August 22 Sardine Day in Los Alcázares
The 54th annual summer version of the massive annual street party in Murcia on the seafront in Los Alcázares
Many years ago, in 1851, a group of young men in the city of Murcia decided to mark the week after Easter, when the annual Spring Fiestas are now held, in a rather unusual way – they decided to hold a mock funeral, “mourning” the passing of a sardine, whom they paraded in a coffin to celebrate the triumph of joy over the restrictions which were imposed during Lent, and then ceremonially burnt the coffin to end the evening’s fun.
They could hardly have guessed back then that this minor piece of fun would become one of the most iconic fiestas in the south of Spain and the Entierro de la Sardina (“Burial of the Sardine”) is now perhaps the largest parade of the entire year in the regional capital.
So popular has the celebration become that every summer the seaside town of Los Alcázares, on the shore of the Mar Menor, holds its own “Semana de la Huerta y el Mar” fiestas, culminating, of course, with Sardine Day on the final Saturday, and the programme for the day in 2026 (the 54th holding of the event and the 175th anniversary of the original celebration in Murcia) includes the following:
11.45: DJ music begins on the Paseo Carrión along with other entertainment and a festive atmosphere.
12.30: A mass sardine festival begins with everyone free to come along: sardines are handed out while music and parades make this an occasion for all the family.
During the afternoon the organizing groups visit the El Palmeral and Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles homes for the elderly , bringing the festivities to some who cannot attend in person.
20.30: The main parade begins in Plaza del Espejo, continuing along the seafront and a few hundred metres inland to Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez, where the “Espacio Sardinero” area will be set up.
For more local information in English, including news, what’s on and visiting advice, contact the tourist offices in Los Alcázares (main telephone number 968 575756) 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
