Alhama de Murcia celebrated its annual fair with almost two weeks of entertainment, live music, traditional food and community activities, culminating in a colourful float parade featuring 15 local groups and performers, bringing light and colour to the streets of the municipality.

Colourful float parade steals the show

The Feria de Alhama, held from October 2 to 12 in honour of the Virgen del Rosario, offered a varied programme of events for residents and visitors, from concerts by well-known Spanish performers to family attractions and charitable projects..

One of the major highlights was the traditional float parade, where Puerorum took first prize with a Stranger Things-inspired float that scored 78 points. Trakas came second with an Avatar-themed float, while K-1 secured third place with an entry inspired by The Lord of the Rings.

Live music brings crowds together

Music also played a major role throughout the celebrations, with performances taking place across the town. Isabel Aaiún, known for her hit ‘Potra salvaje’, and singer Ruth Lorenzo headlined the main fair concert, which attracted countless residents and visitors.

Other acts included La Mundial, the group Serendipity and a tribute to Spanish singer El Barrio by Legado. The Feria de Día also brought DJs and live performances to Calle Paraguay, while the fairground at Nueva Espuña provided rides and attractions for visitors of all ages.

Traditional food and local flavours

Food was another important draw, with traditional migas competitions and the annual exhibition of table grapes and agricultural products from the Bajo Guadalentín area. The programme also included some events supporting important local causes. On October 11, a charity dog run raised funds for Mi Princesa Rett, an association supporting people affected by Rett syndrome.

Charity events support important causes

The following day, the eighth edition of the solidarity ham-cutting event took place at the fairground, benefiting the Never Surrender Foundation, which uses sport to support people affected by cancer. Alongside these initiatives, neighbourhood gatherings and activities organised by local social groups helped bring the community together in solidarity and socialisation.

The celebrations concluded with the traditional fairground discount day, offering visitors two ride tickets for the price of one. With its mix of music, local traditions, family entertainment and charitable activities, the Feria de Alhama once again showcased the town’s never-ending community spirit and boundless creativity.

Motorbike enthusiasts are invited to the municipality of Aguilas on Sunday, October 25, for a charity gathering celebrating life on two wheels, all while raising funds for an important local cause. Organised by Rider Girl Sureste in collaboration with Águilas Town Council, the event will bring together bikers, residents and visitors for a morning of motorcycling, live entertainment and activities, with proceeds from some of the activities and a raffle benefiting local charity Aguilas Down.

Motorbike rally brings the community together

The gathering will take place on the esplanade outside the Infanta Doña Elena Auditorium and Conference Centre, with activities beginning at 9:00am and the motorbike ride is scheduled to set off at 9:30am.

Live music, food and entertainment planned

Organisers of the event have also planned a programme of entertainment designed to keep the energy high all morning. The event will feature live music from a DJ, along with breakfast, a barbecue and paella. Visitors will also be able to try a wheelie simulator, take part in raffles and browse merchandise at the stalls, with further surprises promised throughout the day.

The combination of motorbike culture, food and entertainment will create a welcoming atmosphere for enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike, all while giving the local community an opportunity to support a charitable cause.

Supporting people with Down syndrome in Aguilas and beyond

A key focus of the gathering is its charitable heart, with part of the activities and the raffle benefiting Aguilas Down, an organisation supporting people in or around the municipality with Down syndrome, as well as their families.

The gathering offers an opportunity for the local motorcycling community to come together while helping raise awareness and funds for an organisation working in the area. Whether arriving on a motorcycle or simply looking to enjoy the entertainment, visitors can head to the Infanta Doña Elena Auditorium esplanade from 9am on Sunday, October 25. With food, music, activities and a charitable purpose at its heart, the event promises a lively morning on the Costa Calida.

Los Alcazares welcomed around 180 watersports athletes from several countries as the 27th edition of Surfari Mar Menor brought three days of windsurfing and sailing action to the Costa Calida over the weekend of October 9 to 11.

Surfari Mar Menor welcomes national and international athletes

The annual competition attracted national and international participants from Spain, Portugal, Finland and the Dominican Republic, turning the Mar Menor into an international showcase for watersports. This year’s edition also introduced a new venue and additional varieties of sports.

New venue brings races closer to spectators

For the first time, Surfari Mar Menor took place at Playa Náutica de Las Salinas, a recently inaugurated watersports area in Los Alcazares. The new location brought competitors, organisers and spectators together in one setting, with dedicated spaces for equipment preparation, race information and the presentation of trophies.

The venue also allowed races to take place close to the shoreline, giving residents and visitors a better view of the colourful sails crossing the lagoon. Organisers hoped this would make the competition more accessible to people who wanted to watch the action without taking part themselves.

Windsurfing, wingfoiling and Formula Kite take centre stage

Windsurfing remained the central focus of the event, but this year’s programme expanded to include wingfoiling, a wind-powered sport where you stand on a hydrofoil board while holding a wing to glide above the water, and Formula Kite, a high-speed Olympic sailing sport where athletes on hydrofoil boards are pulled by ram-air kites. The latter, which made its Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games, also featured the Spanish Formula Kitesurf Cup.

These additional sports brought different ways of harnessing the wind to the competition, showcasing the range of watersports possible on Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon.

International competition boosts the Costa Calida’s watersports appeal

The event’s international participation further underlined the lagoon’s appeal as a destination for sailing and wind-powered sports. The Mar Menor’s relatively consistent sailing conditions are another major attraction, allowing participants to enjoy watersports while giving spectators a chance to watch the thrilling races from the shore.

The competition concluded on Sunday, October 11. Andalusian competitors secured seven podium finishes across five categories, while Canarian sailor Isidro Enríquez won the overall Windsurfer title by just one point.

With its new venue, expanded programme and international participation, the 27th Surfari Mar Menor re-established Los Alcazares’ reputation as a top destination for watersports, thrilling races, and an active supporting community on the Costa Calida.