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A host of free concerts, processions including the maritime procession and a whole lot more as Santiago de la Ribera celebrates the Virgen del Carmen and the feast day of Santiago Apóstol

Two of the most important dates in the annual calendar of the municipality of San Javier fall during July, the first of them on the 16^th, the day of the Virgen del Carmen. The figure of the Virgin, the patron of fishermen and sailors, is carried out onto the Mar Menor on board a boat and petals are strewn into the water in memory of those who have died at sea, while back on land the celebrations are a mixture of the popular and the religious.

Not long afterwards, on July 25, is the feast Day of Santiago Apóstol, the patron saint of Santiago de la Ribera, and activities again include concerts, include open-air dancing, performances, a procession, fireworks and numerous other activities.

Almost all of the events scheduled are free of charge, with the main venue being the seafront promenade of Explanada Barnuevo.

The full program for the fiestas in Santiago de la Ribera in the summer of 2025 includes the following:

Saturday July 12

22.00: Gala to celebrate the “Ribereño” of the year, Javier Sánchez Carrasco, on the Explanada Barnuevo.

23.00: Live music, salsa, merengue and bachata from La Crema Band on the Explanada Barnuevo.

This is followed by a fireworks display.

Sunday July 13

Comedy on the Explanada Barnuevofrom Miky Dkai, Alvarito and Makeba.

Tuesday July 15

20.00: Offering of hygiene products for the FUNDAMIFP charity at the Capilla de la Virgen del Carmen in the Barrio de los Pescadores.

Wednesday July 16

20.30: Holy Mass in honour of the Virgen del Carmen at the Capilla de la Virgen del Carmen, with music from the Rondalla de Santiago Apóstol.

21.00: Procession of the figure of the Virgen del Carmen.

22.00: An evening of music with the Trio Cantares.

Thursday July 17

20.00: Children’s Day on the Explanada Barnuevo with pedal karts, tattoos, 360º video, karaoke, Just Dance and much more.

Friday July 18

22.30: Choir and Rondallas concert on the Explanada Barnuevo, the 19^th time this annual event has been held.

Saturday July 19

22.30: Live music from the Jurassic Band on the Explanada Barnuevo.

Sunday July 20

8.30: Holy Mass in honour of the Virgen del Carmen at the Capilla de la Virgen del Carmen.

9.00: Procession of the figure of the Virgen del Carmen from Avenida Sandoval to the jetty.

10.30: The Virgin boards her boat for the maritime procession.

22.00: The magnificent Zoot Suiters offer a free concert as part of the San Javier Jazz Festival.

Tuesday July 22

22.30: Live music from Los Happys on the Explanada Barnuevo.

Wednesday July 23

22.30: Live music from Marty McFlay on the Explanada Barnuevo.

Thursday July 24

8.30: Offering of non-perishable goods at the parish church of Santiago Apóstol.

22.30: Live music from Orquesta Athenas on the Explanada Barnuevo.

Friday July 25, the Feast Day of Santiago Apóstol

9.00: An early morning parade to wake the population up!

12.00: The traditional “cucaña" competition, walking a greasy pole over the sea. The winner takes a complete ham as his prize!

20.00: Holy Mass in honour of Santiago Apóstol at the parish church,

21.00: Procession in honour of Santiago Apóstol, accompanied by the “Californianos” brotherhood of Cartagena.

The procession is followed by fireworks.

22.30: Live music from +dManá on the Explanada Barnuevo.

Saturday July 26

22.30: Live music from Los Parrandboleros on the Explanada Barnuevo.

Sunday July 27

9.00: Ribera Bike tour, registration at Bicis La Ribera, Avenida Bartolomé Baños Pérez nº 16.

22.30: 21st annual Mar Menor choir concert on the Explanada Barnuevo.

Saturday August 2

21.00: The Summer Carnival parade on the Explanada Barnuevo.

23.00: The Carnival party begins.

Midnight: The ceremonial burning of the “caballito” (a papier mâché battered prawn!).

 

For more local information visit the tourist offices of San Javier or go to the home page of San Javier Today.

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