June 20 to 25 Ciudad de Lorca International Folk Festival
Groups from Greece, Peru and Spain feature in the annual Lorca folk music event
The annual “Ciudad de Lorca” international folk music festival is being held for the 35th time between June 20 and 25, with the performers including artists from Costa Rica, Serbia and of course Spain.
The festival begins on Thursday June 20 with the opening of the “Por Tierras de España” exhibition at 20.00 at the Palacio de Guevara, showing traditional folk costumes from other parts of the country. For those who are interested the evening features a talk at 21.00 on the way traditional regional costumes for religious figures have evolved over the centuries.
But the main events begin on Friday June 21, when after an official reception at the Palacio de Guevara at 20.00 there is a parade of all the participating groups to the Plaza de España, where the official opening ceremony is scheduled at 22.00.
On Saturday June 22 there are workshops and traditional games at 12.00 midday in the Plaza de España, including the game “Senas”, which is known to date back to the times of King Alfonso X in the 13th century. Later, at 20.00, another musical parade and performances take place at the Parque Almenara shopping mall.
On Monday June 24 Calle Corredera is the setting at 19.30 for the popular “Ven a Bailar” activity, where the groups taking part teach members of the public some of their traditional dances, and at 20.30 the “Cuadrilla de Ánimas de María” group give a street performance.
Finally, on Tuesday June 25 all of the groups visit different homes for the elderly throughout the city before the closing ceremony in Plaza de España at 22.00.
The groups taking part in the 2024 “Ciudad de Lorca” festival are the Music And Dance Group “Naoussa Paros” from Greece, the artistic collective “Perú Multicolor”, Coros y Danzas ‘Mazantini’ from Ciudad Real, the Cuadrilla de Ánimas de María from Almería and the local hosts, the group Coros y Danzas de Lorca.
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today.
Oficina de Turismo de Lorca

The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites and historic buildings around which the modern city has built its tourism industry. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, Plaza de España, the former Collegiate church of San Patricio, the municipal archaeological museum, the Casa Huerto Ruano, the Palacio de Guevara and the churches and convents of San Francisco, San Mateo, the Virgen de las Huertas, La Merced, El Carmen and many others.
Unfortunately, Lorca has been prone to natural disaster, suffering a severe flood in 1973 which killed 50 people, and a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as a series of earthquakes, the most recent of which was 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives.
Lorca also has an area of unspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Cala Calnegre and various others. Although only one is accessible by road others can be reached along dirt tracks!
In terms of fiestas, Lorca is synonymous with Easter (Semana Santa), its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status being famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azul) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
In the Autumn Lorca also celebrates the Fiestas of San Clemente and a Feria and there are a series of important events throughout the year in the Recinto Ferial, as well as a busy cultural and sporting programme.
The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).
Lorca also has an area of inspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only along difficult tracks or by boat!
However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the historic castle.
Opening hours for Lorca tourist office:
Every day of the year apart from 1st and 6th January and 25th December, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30 (except Sunday afternoons).
These opening times are often extended and other information points created during the Semana Santa celebrations.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today




























