Festivals in Cartagena
Carnival
Carnival has always been deeply rooted in Cartagena, especially since the second half of the 19th century, even though it was banned in the last years of the civil war.
Today, it is one of the most important festivals in Cartagena, adorning the city with parades, dances, costume contests, and “chirigotas”.
Today, it is one of the most important festivals in Cartagena, adorning the city with parades, dances, costume contests, and “chirigotas”.
Holy Week
Holy Week in Cartagena has a characteristic and unique component. It is the quintessential local festival lived by all its inhabitants with complete plenitude.
Holy Week in Cartagena has been declared of International Tourist Interest since 2005. There are ten days of processions that extend from Friday of Sorrows to Resurrection Sunday.
Holy Week in Cartagena has been declared of International Tourist Interest since 2005. There are ten days of processions that extend from Friday of Sorrows to Resurrection Sunday.
Carthaginians & Romans
The city of Cartagena remembers, in this unique festival, the events that occurred in these lands over 2,200 years ago. This unique festival in Spain was declared of International Tourist Interest in 2017.
The festival is based on the Second Punic War and on the characters of General Hannibal and his winner Publius Cornelius Scipio. During ten days of celebration, all the deeds that occurred in the years of the Carthaginian domination and the defeat suffered at the hands of the Romans are represented and lived.
The festival is based on the Second Punic War and on the characters of General Hannibal and his winner Publius Cornelius Scipio. During ten days of celebration, all the deeds that occurred in the years of the Carthaginian domination and the defeat suffered at the hands of the Romans are represented and lived.
Other festivals
El Cañar Pilgrimage (first Sunday of January). This is celebrated in the place called “El Parrillar”, on the “Rambla del Cañar”, in a very leafy place with a spring and where the so-called old hermitage is located.
Saint Antony the Great (January 17). Throughout Cartagena, Saint Antony the Great festivals are known for their rich gastronomy, their joy on the street, and the "baptism of donkeys".
Pilgrimage of Calvary (two Sundays before March 25). This is carried out every year to celebrate the Festival of the Incarnation of the Son of God.
May Crosses (around May 3). In Cartagena, the May Crosses are celebrated with the installation of crosses made from flowers or decorated with flowers in the different streets of the city.
Festivities of Los Belones (May 15). The Patron Saint Festivities of Los Belones in honour of Saint Isidore the Farm Labourer are loaded with significant acts and full of emotion and memory. It is almost a month and a half of activities, which intensify during the week before May 15, Saint Isidore the Farm Labourer Day.
Pozo Estrecho Festivities (last week of May). Originally, they were called Festivities of the Countryside, Wine, and Flowers. They are the most massive festivals of all those organized in the village of Pozo Estrecho.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16). Our Lady of Mount Carmel leaves the different parishes of the coastal towns and heads towards the Mar Menor, where the Solemn Maritime Procession begins.
Saint James the Greater (July 25). A legend-made-tradition ensures that Saint James the Greater arrived in Spain, disembarking in the Saint Lucia neighbourhood. The traditional fishing district keeps this tradition alive. That day, the image of the patron saint of Spain is celebrated.
Saint Ginés de la Jara Pilgrimage (August 25). On the weekend closest to August 25, there is a pilgrimage in honour of Saint Ginés de la Jara, patron saint of Cartagena.
Pilgrimage of the Virgin of Los Llanos (first half of September). This is celebrated in honour of the Virgin of Los Llanos, patroness saint of the town.
Pilgrimage of the Holy Doctors (September 26). This is held in honour of the Holy Doctors, Saints Cosmas and Damian, from the La Palma deputation to the Los Vidales hermitage. The pilgrimage ends at noon with a traditional paella contest.
Saint Antony the Great (January 17). Throughout Cartagena, Saint Antony the Great festivals are known for their rich gastronomy, their joy on the street, and the "baptism of donkeys".
Pilgrimage of Calvary (two Sundays before March 25). This is carried out every year to celebrate the Festival of the Incarnation of the Son of God.
May Crosses (around May 3). In Cartagena, the May Crosses are celebrated with the installation of crosses made from flowers or decorated with flowers in the different streets of the city.
Festivities of Los Belones (May 15). The Patron Saint Festivities of Los Belones in honour of Saint Isidore the Farm Labourer are loaded with significant acts and full of emotion and memory. It is almost a month and a half of activities, which intensify during the week before May 15, Saint Isidore the Farm Labourer Day.
Pozo Estrecho Festivities (last week of May). Originally, they were called Festivities of the Countryside, Wine, and Flowers. They are the most massive festivals of all those organized in the village of Pozo Estrecho.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16). Our Lady of Mount Carmel leaves the different parishes of the coastal towns and heads towards the Mar Menor, where the Solemn Maritime Procession begins.
Saint James the Greater (July 25). A legend-made-tradition ensures that Saint James the Greater arrived in Spain, disembarking in the Saint Lucia neighbourhood. The traditional fishing district keeps this tradition alive. That day, the image of the patron saint of Spain is celebrated.
Saint Ginés de la Jara Pilgrimage (August 25). On the weekend closest to August 25, there is a pilgrimage in honour of Saint Ginés de la Jara, patron saint of Cartagena.
Pilgrimage of the Virgin of Los Llanos (first half of September). This is celebrated in honour of the Virgin of Los Llanos, patroness saint of the town.
Pilgrimage of the Holy Doctors (September 26). This is held in honour of the Holy Doctors, Saints Cosmas and Damian, from the La Palma deputation to the Los Vidales hermitage. The pilgrimage ends at noon with a traditional paella contest.
