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Every town and village has parades and processions during Holy Week, but the Murcia region in particular is renowned for its spectacular celebrations. The Holy Week processions in Lorca, Murcia City, Cartagena, Mula and Moratalla are all justifiably famous, but those in Alicante (Alacant) and Orihuela are also well worth seeing (see Francisco Salzillo (1707–1783)).

Mock battles between Moors and Christians have been held for centuries. The biggest and best is held in Alcoi (Alcoy) around 24 April, but most villages have their own version.

The Feast of St John the Baptist on 24 June is celebrated in the Costa Blanca with bonfires, fireworks and parades. Alicante’s festival is the biggest.

Cocentaina has celebrated All Saints on 1 November every year since 1346; it’s one of the oldest traditional fairs in Spain. Originally an agricultural and grain market, it is now a hugely popular medieval-style fair selling all kinds of local produce from honey to cheese.

The origins of this medieval mystery play – the only one to have survived a 17th-century ban by the Council of Trent – date back to the 13th century. It is performed in mid-August every year in the vast Basílica de Santa María in Elx (see Elx (Elche)).

The culmination of Denia’s summer festival in the first fortnight of August is the Bous al Mar, when bulls are sent careering down the streets, chased by the bravest locals; it’s the locals, rather than the bulls, who end up in the sea!

Carnival, usually held in February, gives everyone a chance to let off steam before Lent, and there are wild parties across the region. The village of Pego in the northern Costa Blanca puts on a good show, but the best of all is in Águilas.

According to a medieval legend, the Knights Templar broke out of the beseiged castle in Caravaca de la Cruz on a desperate search for water, but all they could find was wine. The story is recalled on 2 May each year, when richly dressed horses and horsemen process from the castle, and the local wine is blessed.

Habaneras are plaintive sea shanties, which get their name from the Cuban city where many Spaniards went to seek their fortunes – Havana. Torrevieja hosts an excellent festival in mid-August, when choral groups present contemporary and traditional songs.

Held every July in Cartagena, this world music festival has become one of the best of its kind in Europe. Concerts are held in the Roman theatre, the ancient cathedral, and other beautiful settings around the old quarter.