July 15 to 17 Fiestas of the Virgen del Carmen in San Pedro del Pinatar 2023

The highlight of the fiestas in San Pedro is the largest maritime procession in the Costa Cálida

The municipality of San Pedro del Pinatar celebrates its annual fiestas in honour of the Virgen del Carmen, the patron of fishermen, with the main events taking place on and around her feast day on July 16.

On that date the figure of the Virgin is taken out to sea (in this case the Mar Menor, not the Mediterranean) to pay tribute to those lost at sea. Similar maritime processions are celebrated in several places around the Region of Murcia, but the celebration in San Pedro del Pinatar is the largest and most important and has been awarded Regional Tourist Interest status.

The main events this year include the following:

Saturday July 15

21.00: Procession and floral offering to the Virgen del Carmen, beginning at the M.M.Franciscanas residence, featuring the Fiestas Queen and her maids of honor accompanied by people wearing regional costume, fishermen's outfits or street wear. Music is provided by the Grupo de Coros y Bailes “El Pinar”.

22.30: Amo México in concert in the Parque de los Reyes de España in Lo Pagán.

Sunday July 16

7.00: A wake-up call from the Unión Musical as they parade through the streets of San Pedro del Pinatar.

7.30: A similar reveille in Lo Pagán from the band of cornets and drums.

8.00: Holy Mass in honour of the Virgen del Carmen, with music from the group A Piacere, in the Plaza de la Constitución.

9.00: The figure of Our Lady of Carmen departs in procession from the Plaza de la Constitución on her pilgrimage to Lo Pagán.

11.00: The solemn maritime procession of the Virgen del Carmen in the Mar Menor, accompanied by decorated boats on its traditional route. During the maritime procession, an offering of carnations is presented in memory of those who have lost their lives at sea. All participating boat owners are requested to turn off boat engines and remain silent during this ceremony.

12.00: Open-air Mass on the Esplanade of the Fish Market of Lo Pagán, followed by the carrying of the Virgen del Carmen, again in procession, through the streets of Lo Pagán, Iglesia del Carmen, where she remains.

23.30: Fireworks in the Parque de SSMM Reyes de España on the seafront in Lo Pagán.

0.00 midnight: The procession begins to return the image of the Virgen del Carmen to the Church of San Pedro Apóstol.

1.00: The arrival of the image at the Church of San Pedro Apóstol in San Pedro del Pinatar. The Salve Marinera is sung and what the offical program refers to as the "Great Final Firecracker" is set off!

For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today.