Carnival
The Cartagena Carnival, a deeply rooted popular tradition until its prohibition after the Civil War, was revived in 1981 with the return of democracy. Now declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest, it is one of the city's most important celebrations, featuring parades, costume contests, and satirical musical groups that attract more participants and visitors each year. + INFO
Holy Week
Holy Week in Cartagena, declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 2005, is one of the city's most emblematic celebrations. It is renowned for the beauty and order of its processions, the richness of its religious floats and images, as well as for unique traditions such as the Washing of Pilate's Feet and the Encounter. For ten days, five brotherhoods keep this important cultural and religious event alive. + INFO
Romans and Carthaginians
Declared of International Tourist Interest in 2017, these reenactments recreate the Second Punic War and the events that shaped Cartagena's history. For ten days in September, the city relives its past through parades, historical reenactments, and activities organized by more than 50 groups, transforming into a grand stage that attracts numerous visitors. + INFOOther Festivals and Traditions of Cartagena
Galilean Ball Festival of Pozo Estrecho
Durante el mes de enero, la diputación de Pozo Estrecho celebra sus fiestas patronales, con motivo de la festividad de San Fulgencio.
De los actos que tienen lugar durante esta celebración, destaca la degustación de las famosas y típicas Pelotas Galileas. Se trata de una tradición surgida hace cinco décadas y se ha convertido en un símbolo de identidad local con la que se agasaja a los visitantes. Aunque el acto "popular" es la Degustación de las pelotas galileas.
Se trata de una tradición surgida de obsequiar con un guiso de pelotas a las autoridades políticas y religiosas en el Casino de la localidad y abrir el acto a todas las personas del pueblo y a los visitantes que acudieran a él cada 16 de enero con motivo de la festividad del patrón. Así, fue en 1969 cuando se llevó a cabo por vez primera la degustación popular organizada por la Asociación de Vecinos.
Floral Offering to the Virgin of Charity
On Good Friday, Cartagena celebrates the Day of its Patron Saint, Our Lady of Charity. It's a day when the city dons its finest attire, tradition, and folklore.
Thousands of carnations adorn the Virgin's feet, as well as the city center streets, where locals gather to admire the traditional costumes and the devotion of those participating in the processions.
Other towns also parade on this day in their traditional dress, such as the sailors of Santa Lucía, or those from Torre Pacheco and La Palma, who wear the traditional clothing of the Cartagena countryside.
May Crosses
The May Crosses festival is still celebrated around May 3rd, the feast day of Saint Helena.
In Cartagena, it's celebrated by placing crosses made of flowers or decorated with them in the streets. The different neighborhoods "compete" to have theirs be the most beautiful and eye-catching.
Manila shawls have replaced esoteric symbols. The Sevillanas sung by the crowds have nothing to do with the initiation chants of millennia past.
In the city, it also marks the beginning of a series of popular festivities that, primarily from May until the end of September, will unfold in the different neighborhoods and districts within their respective communities.
Pilgrimage of San Ginés de La Jara
The feast day of Saint Ginés de la Jara, patron saint of Cartagena, is celebrated on August 25th. To mark the occasion, a pilgrimage takes place on the weekend closest to that date, organized by the Brotherhood of Pilgrims of Saint Ginés de la Jara.
Hundreds of the faithful, on horseback and in lavishly decorated carriages, travel from the early hours of the morning through various districts of the Campo de Cartagena region, culminating in the afternoon with a series of religious and festive events.
Pilgrimage to Calvary
It is celebrated every year on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Son of God. Two Sundays before March 25th, the image is taken to the Santa Lucía neighborhood, where a novena, a Stations of the Cross, and various religious services are held in its honor. After this week of worship, the Virgin returns in procession to her hermitage on the mountain, where she remains for the rest of the year.The pilgrimage route, about four kilometers long, combines moments of celebration and reflection. From the parish church of Santiago Apóstol to the foot of the mountain, the Virgin is accompanied with music and joy; then, the procession continues praying the Stations of the Cross and commemorating the Passion of Christ along a steep path that evokes Calvary in Jerusalem. Upon reaching the summit, an open-air Mass is celebrated, and on March 25th, another Mass is held in honor of the Virgin. In addition, a Mass is currently celebrated in the hermitage on the first Sunday of each month, except between June and September.
Cañar Pilgrimage
In the area known as El Parrillar, along the Cañar riverbed, there is a very lush spot with a spring. Here stands what is now called the old hermitage, dating back to the second half of the 17th century. A legend surrounds it: a shepherd who used to bring his livestock to this spot to water, and the Virgin Mary appeared to him in a bright light, asking him to build a hermitage there for her worship. Thus was born the devotion to Our Lady of Light and the annual pilgrimage.
It takes place on the first Sunday of January in the Cañar riverbed, near Mount Peñas Blancas in Isla Plana, in honor of Our Lady of Light. Thousands of pilgrims participate, along with Christmas carol groups from the Campo de Cartagena region, who enliven the popular event with their songs.
Pilgrimage to the Virgin of Los Llanos
It is celebrated in honor of the Virgin of Los Llanos, patron saint of the town, during the first half of September.
The various events commemorating the pirate raids suffered by the inhabitants of the Albufera lagoon in the 16th and 17th centuries take place in the old town of El Algar, which is transformed into a medieval enclosure with balconies decorated with banners and flags. Numerous stalls sell handcrafted goods, and a variety of characters give demonstrations of archery and ribbon racing.
For a few days, the town center of El Algar becomes the interior of a medieval castle, where the town's children have the opportunity to rediscover traditional games. These festivities culminate with a reenactment of a pirate invasion on the beach.
Pilgrimage of the Holy Physicians
The pilgrimage takes place on September 26th, from the La Palma Provincial Council building to the Los Vidales hermitage, in honor of the Holy Physicians, Saints Cosmas and Damian. The pilgrimage culminates at midday with a traditional paella competition.
Celebrated in honor of Saints Cosmas and Damian, these traditional festivities were revived by the residents of La Palma in 1990, with the addition of the pilgrimage that begins at Plaza Manuel Zamora and ends at the church, where a meal is shared by all the residents.
Maritime Processions of Carmen
On July 16th, the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel departs from the various parishes along the coast in a pilgrimage to the Mar Menor, where the Solemn Maritime Procession begins.
During the Maritime Procession, an offering of carnations is made in memory of deceased seafarers, followed by a minute of silence.
At the end of the procession, an open-air Mass is celebrated, after which the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is carried in procession back to the church.
The image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will remain in the parishes until July 16th of the following year, at which time it will once again travel through the streets of the towns around the Mar Menor, heading for its Maritime Procession on the Mar Menor.
Saint James the Apostle
A legend, now a tradition, tells of the Apostle James arriving in Spain, landing in the Santa Lucía neighborhood. This traditional fishing district keeps the tradition alive, and on July 25th, the image of Spain's patron saint is carried in procession through its main streets.
A statue of Saint James in Santa Lucía marks his point of entry into Spain. The image is accompanied by a cross over fifteen meters tall.
Blessing of the Animals
Patron Saint Festivities in honor of Saint Anthony Abbot.
Throughout Cartagena, the San Antón Festival is known for its rich gastronomy, its lively street celebrations, and the "baptism of the donkeys."
The food associated with the San Antón Festival is also very famous. The renowned San Antón rolls can be found at any stall along the main streets, and grilled octopus is served in many of the neighborhood bars.
San Isidro in Los Belones
The Patron Saint Festivities in honor of Saint Isidore
are filled with significant and moving events. The festivities last for almost a month and a half, with activities intensifying during the week leading up to May 15th, the Feast Day of Saint Isidore the Farmer.
The selection of the Queens and their courts takes place in April. May begins with the Pilgrimage of the Saint to Cabezo de la Fuente. Highlights include the Bobbin Lace Exhibition, open-air dances, and the vermouth dance.
Religious celebrations include the Offering of Flowers to the Patron Saint, Solemn Masses, and the Procession of Saint Isidore through the town's streets.
Floral Games of La Palma
These games originated in March 1957 under the name "Floral Games of La Palma."
Guided by the three mottos FAITH, LOVE, and COUNTRY, they are the oldest Floral Games in Cartagena and possibly in the province of Murcia that are still celebrated today.
Spanish Song of Molino Derribao
Held in the second half of August, the festival aims to promote this musical style and discover new talent from all over Spain. Each edition pays tribute to established artists.
The Molino Derribao de Santa Ana is known for its annual Spanish Song Festival, famous for its evenings of traditional folk singing featuring rural poets from neighboring provinces and even abroad.
The Art of Seine in El Portús
El Portús had a strong maritime tradition based on fishing with seine nets, a technique that used a large net launched from a boat and then dragged along the shore by fishermen. This practice allowed for the capture of large quantities of fish, but it was banned because dragging the net damaged and depleted the seabed.
To preserve the memory of this ancient activity, the residents of El Portús have celebrated the "Portusium Jábega" festival for the past 15 years. Every August, they recreate this fishing method dressed in traditional sailor costumes and, at the end, release the fish they caught back into the sea. The celebration concludes with a tasting of caldero, one of the most representative dishes of the local cuisine.
Potato Festival
The Cartagena district of La Puebla has organized a multitude of festival activities to celebrate the authentic potatoes of the Campo de Cartagena region, with the support of the Town Hall.
From May 28th to June 1st, there will be a traditional folk music evening, talks, potato-throwing competitions, direct sales by farmers, a market, an exhibition of potato varieties, a tapas route through different bars in the region, a cooking competition, and tastings of roasted and boiled potatoes, as well as a giant tortilla, highlighting the quality of the different varieties from the Campo de Cartagena.
The traditional folk music evening is a celebration of the Cartagena potato, and the program includes the coronation gala of the Queen and Lady of the La Puebla festivities, which take place in June in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.