This week there’s only one word that counts and that’s Carnival!! (or carnival if you’re Spanish!)

In spite of the nippy air, tens of thousands of Murcianos are going to rip off their clothes, don a few sequins and feathers and dance in the streets, with parties and parades all over the region.

This weekend is the first of two weekends of partying, and you’ll find the parades spread out at different times. In the majority of municipalities where there is just one principal parade, this weekend is the main one and a lot of these parades are on Saturday this week.

Carnival promotion this weekend as well, with free entry for under12's and lots of carnival fun inside the castle.

However, in some places they’re just totally besotted with carnival, as is the case with Águilas, which is the biggest carnival in the region, and parades take place all week, with the first on this Sunday and the last, next Saturday. Don´t miss it, it’s heartwarming fun and injects happiness and positivity into every attendee as everybody is so happy and having such a great time. So don a wig, pop on a red nose and go and have some fun!

There are other carnival associated events underway elsewhere as well, so you’ll find Terra Natura Murcia offering free entry to children wearing carnival fancy dress this weekend, provided they’re accompanied by a paying adult, or Lorca castle running a Carnival promotion this weekend as well, with free entry for under12’s and lots of carnival fun inside the castle in addition to the guided tours and castle itself.

Lorca is also running the first of its full day in Lorca promotions, which offers transport around the city in the tourist train and visits to the principal attractions of castle, San Patricio and the hidden remains of a Moorish palace beneath the Convent of Virgen de las Huertas for just 14 euros!