Food, drinks, carnival rides, procession, boats and fireworks are what you will get when you celebrate the fiestas Virgen del Carmen Almuñécar & La Herradura! This usually includes 3-4 days of activities and fun at the western end of San Cristobal Beach. There are also a few days of festivities in La Herradura. Details for each celebration are listed below.
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.
Table of Contents
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 Spain’s south coast, 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 fireworks display over the sea.
Where?
The party tent is set up on Playa de San Cristóbal futbol pitch, at the west end of the beach near Chinasol.
Almuñécar Fiestas Virgen del Carmen
Schedule July 12-16, 2025
We have a general schedule for 2025. There are also events in La Herradura.
July 12, 2025 (Saturday)
Morning sound rockets
10:00 Devotion to Virgen del Carmen at the chapel
18:30 Novena in honor of Virgen del Carmen
20:00 Pregon in honor of Virgen del Carmen
21:00 Music passing through the streets
21:00 Inauguration of the Fiesta
21:00 Art exposition
21:30 Opening of the Party tent
22:00 Batukada 2.0
23:45 Entertainment with Marcos Cortes
July 13, 2025 (Sunday)
Morning sound rockets
12:00 Opening of the day fair with Miguel Barrera (on the futbol pitch)
14:00 Giant Paella
18:30 Novena in honor of Virgen del Carmen
19:00 Foam Party! kids’ games and activities
20:00 swearing in of new brothers of the brotherhood
20:15 Horse Ribbon Race
21:00 Art exposition
21:45 Evi Zumba
23:00 Big Party with DJ Emilio at the party tent
July 14, 2025 (Monday)
Morning sound rockets
12:00 Day fair summer party (on the futbol pitch)
14:00 Traditional snacks at the Fiesta bar
18:30 Novena in honor of Virgen del Carmen
19:00 Visit the Loro Sexi Park
20:00 Pay homage to our neighbors
22:00 Entertainment by Somos del Sur
23:30 Big Summer Party at the tent
July 15, 2025 (Tuesday)
Morning sound rockets
12:00 Day fair summer party (on the futbol pitch)
14:00 Traditional snacks at the Fiesta bar
18:30 The last Novena in honor of the Virgen del Carmen
19:00 Traditional games
19:30 Activities and games for the kids
19:45 Traditional Merienda snacks for the kids
21:30 Paquillo Zumba
22:00 Tribute to Manuel Carrasco
00:00 Entertainment by DJ Moises Franco at the tent
July 16, 2025 (Wednesday)
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
12:00 Day fair summer party (on the futbol pitch)
14:00 Traditional food at the day fair
18:00 Departure of the procession from its chapel
21:00 Celebration of the Holy Mass in honor of the Virgen del Carmen in the field (Futbol pitch, San Cristobal)
22:00 mixed light
22:50 Procession by land and sea, if the weather permits
22:30 Entertainment White Harmony
23:00 Grand Fireworks Display
00:00 DJ Roberto Garcia
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 2025
Below is the 2025 La Herradura Festive Program Virgin of Carmen.
Sunday, JULY 13
21:00 Civic Center Auditorium – Gala Poetico Musical tickets for sale st the event
23:00 Tribute to Elvis Presley free entry, Plaza de la Independencia
00:30h DJ Moisés Franco Niño Aurelio benefit bar.
Monday, JULY 14
21:30 Fashion show, Plaza de la Independencia
Tuesday, JULY 15
19:00 Foam Party – Children’s Beach party.
Enjoy the foam party with waterslides, bouncy houses, and more.
23:00 free Concert, Plaza de la Independencia
20:30 Civic Center Inauguration of the Photography Exhibition
“40th anniversary Memories of the Past”
Wednesday, JULY 16
19:00 Holy Mass in honor of the Virgin from Carmen.
Bahía de La Herradura Choir participates.
Following Mass – Maritime Land Procession
accompanied by the Sailors of the Association of Women S. XXI, the “Cosas Nuestras” Choir, The Virgen del Carmen Association, and The Municipal Band Music of Almuñécar. Organized by: Brotherhood of La Herradura
22:30 La Herradura Beach. Fireworks from the Castle.
23:00 Flamenco María La Canastera and the Child Carmelo, Plaza de la Independencia
00:30 Closing party with DJ Spiry, Plaza de la Independencia
Motril Fiestas Virgen del Carmen Schedule 2023
Past Years
Someone local created this little mobile version for 2020 during covid.
