Living in Murcia Near the Golf Resorts: Holidays, Fiestas, School Calendar and Shop Hours (2026-27)

The Región de Murcia has 12 regional and national holidays a year, plus two local holidays set by each town hall. In Murcia city the local holidays fall on the Bando de la Huerta and the Romería de la Fuensanta (7 April and 15 September in 2026). State primary schools run from 8 September 2026 to 22 June 2027, and shops may open on 16 authorised Sundays and holidays in 2026.

Once the keys are handed over, newcomers want to get the practical rhythm of the year straight: when the bank is shut, when school starts, whether the supermarket opens on Sunday. Here it is in one place.

What are the public holidays in Murcia in 2026 and 2027?

*Source: BORM (2026 calendar) and the Región de Murcia government's 2027 calendar, approved 9 April 2026.*

The 9 June regional holiday replaces holidays that fall on a Sunday: 1 November in 2026 and 15 August in 2027.

What are the local holidays near the golf resorts?

A note on 8 September. It is a local holiday in towns such as Lorca, Cieza and Calasparra, but not in Murcia city. Murcia's patron, the Virgen de la Fuensanta, is honoured with a holiday on the day of her Romería, when she is carried back to her sanctuary in Algezares. That falls on a Tuesday in mid-September: 15 September 2026 and 14 September 2027.

What are the 2026-27 school dates in the Región de Murcia?

Christmas holidays: 24 December 2026 to 6 January 2027. One source says 23 December, so check the BORM resolution.

Easter holidays: 22 to 29 March 2027.

Non-teaching days: 27 November 2026 for Infantil and Primaria, 29 January 2027 for ESO and Bachillerato, and 1 February 2027 for FP.

Each town also sets a few extra non-teaching days. International schools set their own calendars; see our guide to international schools near the Murcia golf resorts.

When are shops open in Murcia?

Weekdays. Shops choose their own hours, with a legal minimum of 90 opening hours a week. Many small shops still close for lunch, typically from about 14:00 to 17:00, while supermarkets and malls stay open all day.

Sundays and holidays. In 2026 shops may open on 16 authorised dates: 4 and 11 January, 19 March, 2 April, 7, 9 and 28 June, 15 August, 12 October, 29 November, and 6, 7, 8, 13, 20 and 27 December. In practice, that means most of the December run-up to Christmas is open for shopping.

Tourist zones. Central Murcia also has extra Sunday opening on Easter Sunday, the first two Sundays of May and the Sunday before the Fuensanta Romería. Águilas, Los Alcázares, San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar can open any day all year.

Always open. Bakeries, florists, petrol stations and small shops under 300 m² may open whenever they like.

Which fiestas should newcomers know about?

Murcia. The Bando de la Huerta, the Tuesday after Easter, when the whole city dresses in traditional huerta costume. The Feria de Septiembre and the Fuensanta Romería follow in September.

Cartagena. Carthagineses y Romanos, 18 to 27 September 2026, now in its 37th edition and declared of International Tourist Interest.

Caravaca de la Cruz. The Fiestas de la Vera Cruz in early May, which is why its local holidays fall on 2 and 4 May.

Águilas. Its Carnaval is one of the biggest in Spain, and Shrove Tuesday is a local holiday (17 February 2026).

Whether you buy at Corvera Hills near Murcia city, Serena Breeze in Los Alcázares or Alhama Nature at Condado de Alhama, it is your own town hall's two local holidays and fiestas that will shape the year. We are always happy to talk new owners through the local calendar, so the first year feels familiar rather than full of surprises.

FAQ

Is 8 September a holiday in Murcia?

Not in Murcia city. The city's Fuensanta holiday is the Romería day, 15 September 2026 and 14 September 2027. 8 September is a local holiday in some other towns, such as Lorca.

When does school start in Murcia in 2026?

On 8 September 2026 for Infantil and Primaria, and 10 September for ESO and Bachillerato.

When are the Christmas school holidays in Murcia 2026-27?

From 24 December 2026 to 6 January 2027. Confirm the exact start with your school.

Are shops open on Sundays in Murcia?

Only on the authorised Sundays and holidays (16 in 2026), plus extra days in tourist zones. Small shops and bakeries can open any day.

How many public holidays does Murcia have?

Twelve regional and national holidays a year, plus two local holidays per municipality.

If you'd like to see some great new homes and what everyday life around them will look like, we should talk. Message me on WhatsApp on +44 7424 864 684 or send an enquiry and I'll get straight back to you.

About the author — Lee Doherty is the founder of MedSol Real Estate. He spent two years researching the region before buying here himself, and now helps UK and international buyers find golf-resort homes across the Region of Murcia.