December 17 Bizarre donkey braying competition in the fiestas of the Mazarron village of Las Balsicas

The annual fiestas of Las Balsicas take place this year from December 15 to 17 and on Christmas Eve

The annual fiestas of the village of Las Balsicas, which is tucked away in the hills between Puerto de Mazarrón and Mazarrón, are taking place this year mainly during the weekend before Christmas, with the following events included in the schedule:

Friday December 15

21.30: Opening speech by Diego Martínez Mendoza.

22.00: Performance of traditional music and dance by the Cuadrilla la Costera.

23.00: Hot chocolate and cake for all!

Saturday December 16

9.30: Musical procession in the village.

13.30: Migas making competition.

16.00: Fun and games for children supervised by Animaciones Zoe.

16.30: “Caliche” tournament (a game similar to pétanque but played, in its simplest forms, with some metal objects to be thrown and a stick as the target!).

17.30: Show by the De Rosa dance academy.

18.30: Magic show with David González.

Sunday December 17

12.30: Holy Mass in honour of “La Purísima”, followed by the traditional donkey-like braying competition which is worth a visit on its own!

This is one of the most bizarre traditions in the Region of Murcia, and features competitors dressed in traditional costumes, mainly black, with coloured ribbons and all the tools necessary for grooming a donkey and shoeing it. They walk around the square braying like donkeys, while at the same time imitating the movements of donkeys while being groomed and shod.

14.30: Paella for all!

16.00: Musical bingo.

18.00: Music and dancing with Los de la Juana.

22.00: An adult piñata, the prize is a free dinner for two at Restaurante Nueva Bodeguita by Matu!

22.30: Fireworks to end the weekend’s festivities.

Sunday December 24

00.30: DJ music to welcome Christmas Day!

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Mazarrón Today.