Murcia Christmas 2026: Markets, Lights and the Cabalgata de Reyes
By Lee Doherty
MedSol Real Estate · Murcia property specialist · 26 October 2026
Christmas in Murcia runs from the lights switch-on in late November to the Cabalgata de Reyes on 5 January. The main fixtures are the Gran Árbol de Navidad in Plaza Circular, the Christmas market in the Glorieta de España, Salzillo's nativity scene and the Three Kings parade. The 2026 programme has not been published yet; dates below are from the 2025/26 programme and will be updated.
Christmas surprises many British and Irish owners. It is long, family-centred and lived out in the streets, and the big day for children is 6 January, not 25 December. If you are spending your first winter here, it is well worth planning a few evenings in the city. Here is how the season usually unfolds.
When does Christmas start in Murcia?
In 2025 the Ayuntamiento de Murcia switched on every Christmas light in the municipality at once. It happened on Saturday 22 November at 19:00 in Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, in front of the Cathedral, with 1,725 decorative pieces across the city and pedanías.
The night before, 21 November, El Corte Inglés on Avenida de la Libertad switched on Cortylandia. In 2024 the switch-on was 23 November in Plaza de Santo Domingo.
2026: lights switch-on, expected in the second half of November.
Where are Murcia's Christmas markets?
| Market (2025/26 dates) | Where | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Mercado de Navidad, 5 Dec to 5 Jan, with the "Cuento de Navidad" videomapping daily at 20:30 | Glorieta de España | TBC |
| Mercado Navideño at the tree, 12 Dec to 5 Jan | Plaza Circular | TBC |
| XLI Muestra de Artesanía de Navidad, 4 Dec to 5 Jan, 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 21:00 | Paseo Alfonso X el Sabio | TBC |
| Artisan market, weekends and holidays in December | Paseo Escultor Juan González Moreno | TBC |
| Mercado medieval, Constitution Day long weekend | Caravaca de la Cruz old town | TBC |
*Source: Ayuntamiento de Murcia, Fiestas de Navidad y Reyes Magos 2025/26 programme. Always confirm the 2026 dates.*
There is more to see. El Jardín de los Sueños, an immersive light garden in the Jardín del Malecón, ran from 12 December to 4 January (18:30 to 23:00). Navilandia, a funfair at the La Fica fairground, ran from 5 December to 6 January.
The Belén Municipal in the Palacio Episcopal opened on 8 December, and the Museo Salzillo shows Francisco Salzillo's 18th-century nativity scene.
What happens at the Gran Árbol in Plaza Circular?
The giant tree in Plaza Circular is the season's centrepiece. In 2025 it was switched on on 28 November. Audiovisual shows ran daily from 29 November to 6 January at 20:00 and 21:15 (only 20:00 on the 24th and 31st), with family workshops, concerts and a food area.
On New Year's Eve the city gathers in the Glorieta for the campanadas, eating twelve grapes as the clock strikes midnight.
When is the Cabalgata de Reyes in Murcia?
The Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos is always on the evening of 5 January. In 2026 it was planned for 18:00 but brought forward to 16:30 because rain was forecast.
The 2026 route started at Avenida San Juan de la Cruz. It ran along Calle Mozart, Torre de Romo, Hermanos Cerón, Alameda de Colón, Avenida Canalejas, Puente Viejo, Plaza Martínez Tornel, Gran Vía and Avenida de la Constitución, finishing at Plaza Circular.
Seats. More than 20,000 numbered seats were sold at €7 plus fees online from 3 December 2025, with proceeds going to CERMI, the umbrella body for disability organisations. There was a quieter area for autistic children at the start and a reduced-mobility area in Plaza Camachos.
5 January 2027: start time, route and seat sale date.
When is the 2026 programme announced?
From the last two years, the pattern is:
- The lights date is announced in early to mid November.
- The full programme booklet appears in the first week of December (the 2025/26 booklet was online by 4 December 2025).
- Cabalgata seat sales open in early December.
Useful dates for planning: 7 December 2026 (Constitution Day, moved to the Monday), 8 December, 25 December, 1 January and 6 January 2027 are all holidays. Shops may open on Sundays and holidays on 6, 7, 8, 13, 20 and 27 December 2026.
Murcia city is an easy evening out from Corvera Hills and Alhama Nature, and a comfortable drive from the Mar Menor resorts. We arrange and accompany viewing trips across the resorts, and in December we are happy to plan the day around the markets, so you can see a development by day and Murcia lit up by night.
FAQ
When are the Christmas lights switched on in Murcia?
In 2025 it was Saturday 22 November at 19:00 in Plaza del Cardenal Belluga. The 2026 date has not yet been announced.
Where is the Christmas market in Murcia?
The main market is in the Glorieta de España, beside the town hall. There is also a market at the Gran Árbol in Plaza Circular and a craft fair on Paseo Alfonso X.
What time is the Cabalgata de Reyes in Murcia?
It is usually on 5 January at 18:00. In 2026 it started at 16:30 because rain was forecast.
How do I get a seat for the Murcia Cabalgata?
Numbered seats cost €7 plus fees in 2026 and were sold online from early December.
Are shops open on Sundays in Murcia in December?
Yes, on the authorised dates: in 2026 these are 6, 7, 8, 13, 20 and 27 December.
If you'd like to see some great new homes and how close they are to Murcia's Christmas celebrations, 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.
Written by
Lee Doherty
Lee Doherty is the founder of MedSol Real Estate, working on the ground in the Region of Murcia to help UK and international buyers find homes in Murcia.
