November 8 to 17 Annual Fiestas del Milagro in Bolnuevo in Mazarron

"Sardine Sunday" on the beach of Bolnuevo falls on November 17 this year!

The coastal village of Bolnuevo in the municipality of Mazarrón is holding its 2024 Fiestas del Milagro between November 8 and 17 this year, with the celebrations once again revolving around the miraculous events which saved the town from attack by Berber pirates in 1585.

For most people the highlights of the fiestas are the “Romerías”, in which the figure of the Virgen del Milagro is carried first from Bolnuevo to Mazarrón and then, a week later, back to her sanctuary in Bolnuevo, and the final day on the beach, when everyone comes together for a sardine barbecue known by some British expats as Sardine Sunday".

However, there are many other events scheduled in Bolnuevo and the town of Mazarrón during the Fiestas, and the the official fiestas program for 2024 is as follows:

Friday November 8 

21.30: The official opening speech of the fiestas is given by Isabel Arroniz Ballesta at the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

Saturday November 9 

The Virgen del Milagro 2024 tapas route begins, lasting until Sunday November 17.

10.00: A children's activity entitled "¡Vive el Milagro de Bolnuevo y conviértete en un auténtico Torrero!", designed for ages between 3 and 12. Prior bookings are required via the tourist office (see below for contact details) and two 2-hour sessions are scheduled, at 10.00 and 12.00.

The activity is held at the Torre de los Caballos in Bolnuevo.

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.

13.00: The first session of music in the “Bolnuevo… nos vemos en los bares” festival in Avenida Pedro López Meca.

17.00: Dramatized tour of the Torre de Caballos in Bolnuevo, in Spanish. Click here for further details or contact the tourist office.

21.30: Live music from La Húngara and Los de La Juana at the marquee in Bolnuevo. Admission free of charge.

1.00: DJ music at the marquee in Bolnuevo. Admission free of charge.

Sunday November 10

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. At 13.00 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, outside the small church of Bolnuevo.

9.30: The figure of the Virgen departs from the small 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, where Mass is held.

On arrival in Mazarrón the figure of the Virgin is welcomed by local religious and civic dignitaries in the Jardín de La Purísima, from where she continues to the Iglesia-Santuario de La Purísima Concepción, where Mass is held.

13.00: “Bolnuevo… nos vemos en los bares” music festival in Avenida Pedro López Meca.

19.30: Holy Mass in the Sanctuary of the Purísima Concepción.

Monday November 11

19.30: Holy Mass in the Sanctuary of the Purísima Concepción.

20.00: A talk in Spanish about the origin and history of the "gredas" eroded rock formations in Bolnuevo, given by the Asociación de Vecinos Gredas de Bolnuevo at the Local de Asociación de Vecinos Gredas de Bolnuevo.

Tuesday November 12

17.00: Petanca tournament on the pistes next to the Asociación de Vecinos Gredas de Bolnuevo.

19.30: Holy Mass in the Sanctuary of the Purísima Concepción.

Wednesday November 13

19.00: An evening of theatre and poetry at the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

19.30: Holy Mass in the Sanctuary of the Purísima Concepción.

Thursday November 14

19.30: Holy Mass in the Sanctuary of the Purísima Concepción.

20.15: Re-enactment of the "9 Declarations of the Miracle of La Purísima" at the Iglesia-Santuario de La Purísima.

Friday November 15

19.30: Holy Mass in the Sanctuary of the Purísima Concepción.

19.30: Presentation of the book “La llamada de las Gredas y otros relatos” by Juan Durán Granados at the Local Asociación de vecinos Gredas de Bolnuevo.

21.30: Migas contest on the esplanade outside the Asociación de Vecinos Gredas de Bolnuevo

20.00: Live music from Los Luisos at the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

Midnight: DJ music at the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

Saturday November 16

11.00: Dramatized tour of the Torre de Caballos in Bolnuevo, in Spanish. Click here for further details or contact the tourist office.

12.00: 2 for the price of 1 at the fairground until 14.00.

13.00: Live music at the “Bolnuevo… nos vemos en los bares” festival in Avenida Pedro López Meca.

16.30: Music for infants in the “Fantasy Show con los muñecos Disney” at the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

17.00: Dramatized tour of the Torre de Caballos in Bolnuevo, in Spanish, explaining the Miracle of Bolnuevo. Click here for further details or contact the tourist office.

19.00: Holy Mass with the participation of the Mayor and the Blessing of the Lamp. 

20.00: Procession, with the figure 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. At the end of the procession the "Te Deum" is sung.

21.30: Barullo Party Romería 2024 at the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

Sunday November 17, The Day of the Miracle

The second Romería, in which the figure of La Purísima Concepción is returned to her church in Bolnuevo, and Sardine Sunday!

Fre buses run from Mazarrón to Bolnuevo via Puerto de Mazarrón at 4.15, 7.00, 7.30, and 10.30.

The return trip is at 14.300 and 18.00.

7.30: Holy Mass in the Iglesia Santuario de La Purísima and the blessing of the figure of La Purísima Concepción before the departure for Bolnuevo. This is accompanied by thousands of people and on arrival, Holy Mass is held on the beach before the Purísima is returned to the church of Bolnuevo.

14.00: The sardine barbecue on the beach of Bolnuevo.

15.30: Day fair with live music from SIX SEVEN at the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

18.00: The final session of DJ music at the municipal marquee in Bolnuevo.

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