Food, drinks, carnival rides, procession, boats and fireworks are what you will get when you celebrate the fiestas Virgen del Carmen Almuñécar! This usually includes 3-4 days of activities and fun at the western end of San Cristobal Beach.
Each night is full of people gathering at the makeshift bar on the paseo, as well as kids enjoying the small carnival, plus you can’t go wrong with churros and waffles at Elvira’s open late! Then on July 16, it’s the day of Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of fishermen and sailors. The brotherhood will take her and set sail the streets in a procession and then to the waters to bless her in the midst of a festive atmosphere.
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Who is Virgen de la Carmen?
Santa María del Monte Carmelo, commonly referred to as Virgen del Carmen or Nuestra Señora del Carmen, is one of the various invocations of the Virgin Mary. These different invocations she receives are a product of the place and the message that she brings.
Historia de la Virgen del Carmen
The name comes from Mount Carmelo, in Israel, in the city of Haifa, a name that derives from the word Karmel or Al-Karem and that could be translated as ‘garden’. The Old Testament prophet Elias became a hermit in a cave on Mount Carmelo, towards the end of his life. The pilgrims trying to follow in the prophet’s footsteps, hundreds of years later, invoked the protection of the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmelo – Stella Maris, the Virgin of Carmen. Now, the Virgin is the patroness and protector of all seamen, fishermen and even scuba divers.
Spain is one of the countries where the dedication to Virgen del Carmen is most deeply rooted. The fishermen have named the Virgin of Carmelo their faithful protector. In addition, the Spanish Navy has granted her the title of Patroness. For this reason, the Virgen del Carmen is also known as “The Star of the Seas” (Stella Maris). It was once believed that the Virgin cleared up the waters with her presence and that only after July 16 would the sea be fit for swimming in. Read more about the history (historia de la virgen del carmen).
Let’s hope the medusas (jellyfish) stay away!
Día de la Virgen del Carmen (16th July)
El Día del Carmen is celebrated in select locations along the south coast of Spain usually amongst fishing communities. As the patron saint of sailors, the Los Marinos barrio carries the statue of the Virgin of Carmen on a route within San Cristobal Beach and then sets sail on a local fishing boat. Almuñécar is one of the best places to see this celebration, which concludes with a beautiful firework display over the sea.
Where?
The party tent is set up on Playa de San Cristóbal at the west end of the beach near Chinasol.
Almuñécar Fiestas Virgen del Carmen
Schedule July 13-16, 2023
We have a general schedule for 2023 coming soon. There are also events in La Herradura.
July 13, 2023 (Thursday)
Morning sound rockets
16:00 Ludo tournament
18:30 Novena in honor of Virgen del Carmen
19:00 visit to the Loro Sexi park for the little ones
19:00 One hour of free bouncy house at Flores Garcia attractions
20:00 Embroidery workshop in honor of Virgen del Carmen
20:45 Mechanical bull for the whole family
21:00 Great balloon release
21:30 Copla concert with Toni Miranda
23:00 Party with DJ Spiry
July 14, 2023 (Friday)
Morning sound rockets
14:00 Traditional meals at the party tent
14:30 Performance by Alina2
18:30 Novena in honor of Virgen del Carmen
19:00 Foam Party
19:45 Pregon in honor of Virgen del Carmen by Juan Jose Ruiz Joya
21:00 Evi Zumba performance
22:00 Performance of Alma Marinera
23:00 Big Party with Moises Franco at the party tent
July 15, 2023 (Saturday)
Fiesta del Carmen – Procession, party, and fireworks!
Morning sound rockets
12:00 Sailor for a day children’s workshop
14:00 Traditional meals at the party tent
14:30 Performance of a good time
16:00 Big Party with DJ Spiry
18:00 Traditional games
18:30 Last day of novena in honor of Virgen del Carmen
19:00 Snacks for the children
20:00 performance by Paquillo Zumba
20:30 XI Virgen del Carmen tourist cycle route (registration in the tuk tuk booth under the saint’s peon)
21:00 Batukada performance 2.0
22:30 A great night with the orchestra son de mar
July 16, 2023 (Sunday)
Fiesta del Carmen – Procession, party, and fireworks!
Morning sound rockets
10:00 Open day in the chapel for the floral offering in honor of Virgen del Carmen
14:00 Traditional food at the party tent
14:30 Performance by Carlos Neyall
17:00 Meeting of members of the brotherhood
18:00 Departure of the procession from its chapel accompanied by the Agrupcaion Bentomiz, Agrupacion Nuestro Padres Jesus del Rescate and the Alma Marinera dance group.
21:00 Celebration of the Holy Mass in honor of Virgen del Carmen in the field (Futbol pitch, San Cristobal)
22:30 Procession by land and sea, if the weather permits
23:00 Grand Fireworks Display
00:15 Party of the 80’s with Marco Cortes
00:30 Arrival at the temple of Virgen del Carmen
If you have pets who are afraid of sounds and fireworks, please take note of the detailed schedules. Each morning there will be sound rockets as well as the night of July 16th. We have made the word sound rockets and fireworks in bold for you to easily spot.
Procession of the Virgen del Carmen
Día del Carmen July 16 – feliz dia del Carmen!
- This is when the floral offerings to the Virgin will take place. The doors of the chapel will open at 10:00 in the morning and remain open throughout the day, so that any person who wishes to leave flowers may do so. In the afternoon, the procession will exit the church with the Virgen del Carmen at 18:15 p.m. Following the procession, the Virgen del Carmen will embark upon the sea.
Embarking of the imagen Virgen del Carmen
Once the skipper has embarked, the sailors walk her, accompanied by other boats with flares, offering a beautiful view from the shore of the beach. There is no doubt this is a special event to watch from a boat, the beach or even at Hotel Helios rooftop Blue Bar for full panoramic views.
Mass on Playa San Cristobal 21:00
Fiesta del Carmen
Be on the lookout for fireworks as well!
La Herradura
Fiestas Virgen del Carmen Schedule 2023
The concert by the mythical group Triana and the maritime-land procession of the Patron Saint of sailors will be the highlights of the Virgen del Carmen Fiestas program, which will be held in the town of La Herradura from July 13 to 16.
The activities will begin with a prominent act dedicated to local businesses with a catwalk on Calle Príncipe under the name “La Herradura Fashion Night”, which was already very well received by the public last year.
There will be no shortage of activities for children and families such as: family cinema, foam party, festival, fireworks, to which will be added the flamenco performance of Rafael Muñoz “El Niño del Cerval”, which will arrive as a climax after the celebration of the procession of the Virgin.
THURSDAY, JULY 13
22:00 Calle Príncipe Runway
La Herradura Fashion night on
23:30 Plaza de la Independencia
Entertainment by SHOW ANCODA
FRIDAY, JULY 14
11:00 Beach Sports Center
Family Cinema day, film workshops
17:00 Beach Sports Center
Foam Party! Bouncy houses, games and fun.
23:00 Plaza de la Independencia
Concert by Triana
SATURDAY JULY 15
22:30 Plaza de la Independencia
Child Carmelo and Maria Gomez “La Canastera”
SUNDAY, JULY 16
20:00 Iglesia San Jose
Holy Mass in honor of the Virgen del Carmen. The Bahía de La Herradura Choir participates.
21:00
Maritime Land Procession accompanied by the Sailors of the XXI S. Women’s Association, the Rociero Choir “Our Things”, Virgen del Carmen Association.
Traditional Dance Fandango Cortijero
(Performances next to the Bambú Chiringuito on the beach) and the Almuñécar Municipal Music Band.
22:00 Playa La Herradura
Fireworks show
23:30 Plaza de la Independencia
Performance by the singer, Rafael Muñoz “EL NIÑO DEL CERVAL”
Motril Fiestas Virgen del Carmen Schedule 2023
Past Years
Someone local created this little mobile version for 2020 during covid.
