Aguilas Carnival 15th - 25th Feb 2009

Not sure how many people have had the chance to explore the southern Murcian coast but Aguilas is worth a look and apparently has one of the best carnival weeks in Spain between 15th - 22nd (or 25th - can't remember if it's a week or 10 days!).  It is a really nice seafront with lots of cafes and shops.  The day we went it was a howling gale in April last year so I probably didn't see it at its best but the carnival is probably worth a look if you're over then??

Great big open air car-park at the far end in front of the Marina as well.

Hi

sounds like it would be worth gowing and having a look as we are

 over during the carnival with our 2 daughters. Could anyone tell us

the time it takes to get to aguilas from condado and the best directions.

  thanks all. Pat & Jackie

Pat / Jackie

See my post under beaches. Aguillas is signposted all the way from the end of the MU603, probably takes about an hour, although i did plenty of detours as well, it's a nice easy drive, road runs parrellel with the AP7 Toll Road all the way, so if you want to make it a really easy drive then suspect you could get on that, but it takes the fun away from seeing the surrounding area and just driving off down side roads not knowing where they are going .

I'm also over 15th to 21st and plan to go and have a butchers at the Carnival.

Dave

Hi,

This also caught my eye.  We too are over that week with family and would be interested in taking in the atmosphere of a Spanish Carnival!  Any idea of what the programme is i.e best days to go.

Pauline, Martin & Dan

Best I can find are on these links:

www.todoaguilas.com/carnival.htm

Thanks for the info Shampers we are also over in Feb we might finally get to meet and see your pink mankini!!!! I can't wait

Am afraid the OB confiscated the mankini as evidence in the early hours of last Sunday morning

The Aguilas Carnival is a "people carnival" with a long history which has been celebrated for the last two centuries, with strong social and cultural elements. This is a two-week "fiesta" which requires an entire year of hard work and preparation in which the entire population of Aguilas participates in one way or another. The Aguilas Carnival is famous for its parades and, increasingly, as the "Night Carnival" in which most of the population dresses in costume and comes out to enjoy the Aguilas evening. These parades, which include the participation of 4,000 people, floats, groups, and musical bands, take place in an atmosphere of revelry which affects the crowd and makes it part of the Carnival.  

thanks for the directions and info Shampers we will definatly go to

 the carnival when we are over.We are over from feb 16th-21st if

 you or anyone fancies a drink in the bar give us a shout.

   Pat & Jackie

The letter 'A' before drink is pretty apt for the operating theatre, must be £4 a pint now in there at current exchange rates,

Hopefully a few dry evenings to be had so might be warm enough to sit outside in a jumper mankini - perish the thought

Full list of events:

CARNIVAL FEBRUARY 2009


SUNDAY 15TH: “XV DUATHLON CARNIVAL OF AGUILAS” SPORT HARBOUR. 11.00 H. BOAT RACE. “VIII COMPETITION OF PAPER SUITS” FEDERATION OF PENAS

THURSDAY 19TH: “MUSSONA” PROCESSION FROM THE CASTLE TO PLAZA DE ESPANA 23.45 FIREWORKS 24.00 H.

FRIDAY 20TH: BATTLE BETWEEN CHILDREN SUPPORTERS OF DON CARNAL, DONA CUARESMA USING CONFETTI FILLED EGGSHELLS. INAUGURATION AND WELCOME SPEECHES BY A CELEBRITY, MUSA 2008 AND THE MAYOR. PLACE: PLAZA DE ESPANA. 21.30 H. SALSA MUSIC FESTIVAL. PLAZA DE ESPANA 24.00 H.

SATURDAY 21ST: BATTLE BETWEEN ADULTS SUPPORTERS OF DON CARNAL, DONA CUAREMA USING CONFETTI FILLED EGGSHELLS. INAUGURATION AND WELCOME SPEECHES BY A CELEBRITY, MUSA 2008 AND THE MAYOR. PLACE: PLAZA DE ESPANA. 22.00 H.
SALSA MUSIC FESTIVAL. PLAZA DE ESPANA 24.00 H.

SUNDAY 22ND: FIRST CARNIVAL PROCESSION THROUGH THE MAIN STREETS OF THE TOWN BEGINNING AT 18.00 H.

MONDAY 23RD: SECOND CARNIVAL PROCESSION THROUGH THE TOWN. CARNIVAL CHOREOGRAPHY/DANCING COMPETITION. 17.00 H. NIGHTLY CARNIVAL COMPETITION

TUESDAY 24TH: THIRD CARNIVAL PROCESSION THROUGH THE TOWN 18.00 H.

FRIDAY 27TH: EXHIBITION OF CARNIVAL MAKE UP AND DRAG QUEEN CONTEST. 23.00 H.

SATURDAY 28TH: FOURTH CARNIVAL PROCESSION THROUGH THE TOWN AND IX NATIONAL COMPETITION OF CARNIVAL GROUPS

SEIZURE OF DON CARNAL IN THE PLAZA DE ESPANA FROM WHERE HE IS LED TO THE PONIENTE BEACH WERE HE IS EXECUTED BY FIRE. FOLLOWED BY A MAGNIFICENT FIREWORKS DISPLAY MARKING THE END OF THE CARNIVAL.

i am thinking of going down to the carnival on either sun 22nd or mon 23rd.its a bit of a drive and if anyone wants  a lift for one of tose days let me know-i dont mind driving.

We're thinking of going on the Friday night if anyone wants to share?