ARCHIVED - November 11 to 20 Annual Fiestas del Milagro de Bolnuevo in Mazarron

"Sardine Sunday" in Bolnuevo and the Romería of the Virgen are on 20^th November 2022

The coastal village of Bolnuevo in the municipality of Mazarrón is holding its annual Fiestas del Milagro between November 11 and 20 this year, when the celebrations will once again revolve around the miraculous events which saved the town from attack by Berber pirates in the 16^th century.

The highlights of the fiestas for most people are the Romerías in which the Virgen del Milagro is carried between Bolnuevo and Mazarrón and the final day on the beach, known by many of the English-speaking populations "Sardine Sunday".

However, there are other events scheduled in Bolnuevo and the town of Mazarrón during the Fiestas, most of them in the municipal marquee (“carpa municipal”).

Every year the Romerías between Mazarrón and Bolnuevo, in which the figure of the Virgen del Milagro is carried first to the town of Mazarrón and then back to the small church on the coast, are accompanied by thousands of people on foot, especially the second of them. This year the first takes place on November 13 and the second on November 20, when free sardines are offered on the beach by the local council and the day is very well attended, with thousands of people setting up camp on in Bolnuevo and enjoying a day of relaxation in the company of friends and family.

The official fiestas program for 2022 is as follows:

Friday November 11

The “Virgen del Milagro” tapas route begins, running until Sunday November 20.

21.30: The official opening speech is given in the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo by Sergio Muñoz Ardil, with musical entertainment from pianist Federico Tomás.

Saturday November 12

11.00: A cultural tour at the Torre de los Caballos explaining the history of the Miracle of Bolnuevo IN ENGLISH. Click here for further details or contact the tourist office.

17.30: The same cultural tour is offered in Spanish, booking details here.

22.00: Live music from the Zona Azul orchestra in the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo, followed by DJ sessions at midnight.

Sunday November 13

The Romería of “La Purísima de Bolnuevo” from Bolnuevo to Mazarrón

8.30 to 9.00: Free bus service from Mazarrón to Bolnuevo, departing from the bus station in Mazarrón. Later on the same service is provided for those returning, starting at 13.00 and stopping in Puerto de Mazarrón.

8.45: Hot chocolate for all those taking part, opposite the small church of Bolnuevo.

9.30: The figure of the Virgen departs from the church of Bolnuevo on her way to the Jardín de La Purísima in Mazarrón, where she is welcomed by local dignitaries before completing her journey to the Iglesia-Santuario de La Purísima Concepción.

19.30: Holy Mass at the church where the figure of the Virgen has arrived.

Monday November 14

19.00: Rosary at the church of La Purísima, followed by Mass at 19.30.

Tuesday November 15

19.00: Rosary at the church of La Purísima, followed by Mass at 19.30.

21.00: Re-enactment of the 9 Declarations of the Milagro de La Purísima at the Iglesia- Santuario de La Purísima.

Wednesday November 16

19.00: Rosary at the church of La Purísima, followed by Mass at 19.30.

20.30: Theatre and poetry presented by the “Gredas de Bolnuevo” neighbours’ association in the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

Thursday November 17, the Day of the Miracle

10.00: Petanca tournament at the Bolnuevo pistes.

11.30: Activity for children aged 3 to 13 in the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo: learn about the story of the Miracle and make your own image of the Virgen.

12.00: Holy Mass and the “Oil of the Lamp” blessing at the Iglesia Santuario de La Purísima.

15.30: Afternoon entertainment in Bolnuevo with David Andreu in the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo, followed by DJ music at 17.00.

17.00: Offering of food and flowers at the Santuario, with attendees invited to attend wearing traditional outfits of the Region of Murcia. Those taking part will receive the traditional bottle of lamp oil.

18.00: Rosary at the Santuario followed by Holy Mass at 18.30.

19.00: Procession, with the image of La Purísima Concepción de Bolnuevo paraded from the Iglesia-Santuario de La Purísima Concepción via the parish church of San Antonio de Padua and the church of San Andrés Apóstol to the Iglesia-Santuario de La Purísima Concepción.

Friday November 18

16.00 and 18.00: Two dramatized tours in the centre of Mazarrón celebrating the Day of the Miracle of Bolnuevo.

19.00: Rosary at the church of La Purísima, followed by Mass at 19.30.

20.00: Conference on the Romería of Bolnuevo 2022, given by Juan Francisco Belmar in the Centro Social of Bolnuevo.

22.00: Live music from Introversiones 80/90/00 in the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo, followed by DJs at midnight.

Saturday November 19

11.00: A cultural tour at the Torre de los Caballos explaining the history of the Miracle of Bolnuevo IN ENGLISH. Click here for further details or contact the tourist office.

17.30: The same cultural tour is offered in Spanish, booking details here.

11.00: Children’s gymkhana in the centre of Mazarrón.

11.30: KIDS gelatine party in the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

12.00 to 14.00: 2X1 fair at the municipal fairground.

16.00: Day fair in the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

19.30: Rosary at the church of La Purísima, followed by Mass at 20.00.

22.00: Live music from Adrian Ruiz municipal marquee in Bolnuevo followed by DJs at midnight.

Sunday November 20

The second Romería, in which the figure of La Purísima Concepción is returned to her church in Bolnuevo.

Free bus service from the chemist’s in Bolnuevo to Mazarrón leaving at 6.30, 7.00 and 8.00. The same service offers return journeys at 14.00 and 18.00 and all services stop at the bus stations of Puerto de Mazarrón and Mazarrón.

7.30: Mass in the Iglesia-Santuario de La Purísima, with a blessing of the bearers of the image, followed by the departure for Bolnuevo. On arrival La Purísima is paraded through the village and Mass is held on the beach before she is taken to her church in Bolnuevo.

14.00: Day fair with music from Ant Micol and local DJs in the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

14.30: The official sardine barbecue begins at the municipal marquee (although countless others are likely to be held on the beach, weather permitting).

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Mazarrón Today.