Three Kings forced to change their plans in Murcia by the arrival of Storm Francis

Rain and even snow are likely to affect Murcia on both Sunday and Monday

With Storm Francis set to sweep across Spain on January 4 and 5 and heavy rain forecast in the Region of Murcia on Sunday and Monday, Town Halls across the Region are being obliged to reconsider their plans for the traditional Three Kings parades in the evening of January 5. Some towns, such as Alhama de Murcia, Jumilla and Mazarrón, have already held their parades early on January 3, to get ahead of the rain.

Cartagena

Cartagena and Alcantarilla have already announced that their main parades have been cancelled, although in Cartagena there will be a rather scaled-down parade on Saturday January 3 so that children can at least greet Kings Balthazar, Melchior and Gaspar. The event begins at 18.00 and runs from the Pescadería along Paseo Alfonso XII to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where Their Majesties will arrive at approximately 19.00 before portions of the traditional Roscón de Reyes cake are served.

Alcantarilla

In a similar vein, the Kings will this year not be arriving by plane at the air base of Alcantarilla, and other localities where the parade has been moved forward to Saturday include Totana, Caravaca de la Cruz, Bullas, Cehegín, Ceutí, Mula and Jumilla.

San Javier

San Javier is relocating its events scheduled for January 5 to alternative locations, but on the same day.

In Santiago de la Ribera, the parade has been cancelled, and instead, a reception for the Three Wise Men will be held at the Príncipe de Asturias Cultural Centre from 5pm. In La Manga del Mar Menor, the events will be moved to the Sports Pavilion located at km 12, starting at 6pm.

In San Javier town, the events planned for the Plaza de España have been cancelled. Instead, the mayor of San Javier will present the Magic Key to Their Majesties the Three Wise Men during a music and light show featuring some of the most famous Disney characters in the auxiliary pavilion of the San Javier Municipal Sports Centre at 7pm.

In other outlying districts of the municipality where events were planned, the usual format will be maintained with minor adjustments.

Expect more Town Halls to follow suit if the worst scenario becomes more likely during Friday and Saturday, and in the meantime bear in mind that any outdoor activities you have planned over the coming days are likely to be affected by the adverse meteorological conditions!

Image: Ayuntamiento de Jumilla