Bando de la Huerta. Big Day Parade

Bando de la Huerta, meaning Orchard Camp is a festival held on Tuesday after Holy Week (Easter) and considered the most important day of Murcia city's Spring Festivities, which take place the week after Easter. Bando de la Huerta is a tradition dating back to 1851 that remains alive and kicking today. Bando de la Huerta, declared Festival of International Tourist Interest in 2012, is a celebration of countryside traditions, which are deeply rooted in the history of this city. In fact, most Murcians take on to the streets that day dressed with the traditional costume in an explosion of color and joy. Everyone participates in this festival, either as part of the parade or simply enjoying the vibrant vibe of every city corner.

 

The festival ends with the Bando de la Huerta parade, which includes music bands, giant and bigheaded characters, dancers and float parades which exhibit the work and typical elements of the Murcian countryside. People dressed in period costumes dance jotas or share typical food products including morcilla blood sausages, white and red sausages, beans and drinks (i.e. wine and beer). The parade marches on for hours through the main city streets: Av S. Juan de la Cruz, C/ Mozart, C/ Torre de Romo, C/ Sacerdotes Hnos. Cerón, Alameda de Colón, Av Canalejas, Pz Camachos, Puente Viejo, Pz Martínez Tornel, Gran Vía Salzillo, Pz Fuensanta, Av Constitución, Pz Circular, Av Alfonso X el Sabio, Av Gutiérrez Mellado, ending in Av José Tapia Sanz.