Murcia Burying the sardine Saturday 11th April 2026

Yes they really do bury a sardine. But before that there is music, colour, dancing and processions as the carnival season draws to an end and leads to the more sombre religious festivals.

A large number of people get together to observe this centuries old annual tradition of burying a dead fish which is solemnly paraded around the streets in a coffin. The actual burying is somewhat ´tongue in cheek´ although there are different stories as to how and where this fiesta originates from. One story being that in the 17^th Century Charles 3^rd wanted to celebrate the end of festival with the commoners so he ordered wine and sardines to be served. The weather that day was so hot that naturally the sardines began to smell foul. The only way to get rid of the smell was to bury the sardines. The King consented to burying the sardines and the people wept as this was the end of free food and the beginning of abstinence.

It is a wonderful fiesta which culminates in a large firework display which we will get time to watch before leaving

This is an evening event !!!