July 9 to August 1 Summer fiestas in Santiago de la Ribera
A plethora of free concerts, processions on land and sea and a whole lot more as Santiago de la Ribera celebrates the Virgen del Carmen and the feast day of Santiago Apóstol
Two of the most important dates in the annual calendar of the municipality of San Javier fall during July, the first of them on the 16th, the day of the Virgen del Carmen. The figure of the Virgin, the patron of fishermen and sailors, is carried out onto the Mar Menor on board a boat and petals are strewn into the water in memory of those who have died at sea, while back on land the celebrations are a mixture of the popular and the religious.
Not long afterwards, on July 25, is the feast Day of Santiago Apóstol, the patron saint of Santiago de la Ribera (and, incidentally, of Spain: this is the apostle James the Greater, who is said to have preached the gospel in Spain before his execution in 44 AD and to have been buried in Santiago de Compostela), and activities again include concerts, include open-air dancing, performances, a procession, fireworks and numerous other activities.
Almost all of the events scheduled are free of charge, with the main venue being the seafront promenade of Explanada Barnuevo.
The full program for the fiestas in Santiago de la Ribera in the summer of 2026 includes the following:
Thursday July 9
22.30: The official opening speech of the fiestas is given by Juan José Quirós on the Explanada de Barnuevo with music provided by Ana Ruiz.
Friday July 10
21.00: The World Cup quarter final between Spain and Belgium on the giant screen on Explanada de Barnuevo.
23.00: As soon as the football on the giant screen finishes there is a live concert by Apparatus Band on the Explanada de Barnuevo.
Saturday July 11
22.00: Gala on Explanada de Barnuevo with the election of the children’s fiestas kings and queens, including live music from Los Happys at 22.30.
Sunday July 12
21.00: A gathering of choirs on the Explanada de Barnuevo.
Thursday July 16
20.30: Mass in honour of the Virgen del Carmen with singing by the Rondalla de Santiago Apóstol, followed at 21.00 by a procession of Our Lady and at 23.00 by live music from Serendipity.
Friday July 17
22.30: Live music from the Jurassic Band on Explanada de Barnuevo.
Saturday July 18
23.00: La Hora de la Leyenda Loka, a party with plenty of music, gifts, stilt walkers and other entertainment on Explanada de Barnuevo.
Sunday July 19
8.30: Mass in honour of the Virgen del Carmen at the parish church of Santiago Apóstol, followed by a procession of the figure of the Virgin from Avenida Sandoval to the jetty.
10.30: The procession takes to the Mar Menor and becomes a maritime one, accompanied by numerous small boats as people join in the festivity.
22.00: Minor Jazz Collective and Raynald Colom offer a free concert as part of the San Javier International Jazz Festival (click here for further details).
Wednesday July 22
18.00: Water party, afternoon snacks and plenty of fun for kids on Explanada de Barnuevo.
Thursday July 23
22.00: Gathering of choirs and “rondallas” on Explanada de Barnuevo.
Friday July 24
22.30: Live music from the La Orquesta Athenas on Explanada de Barnuevo.
Saturday July 25, the feast day of Santiago Apóstol (the Apostle James the Greater)
9.00: Musical parade in the streets of Santiago de la Ribera.
12.00: The traditional “cucaña”, when people try to climb a greasy pole over the water with various degrees of success!
20.00: Mass in honour of the Saint at the parish church.
21.00: Procession of the figure of Santiago Apóstol with a drum and cornet band, followed by a sound and light show.
23.30: Live music from the Salitre on Explanada de Barnuevo.
Sunday July 26
22.00: Noche de Revista, a night of comedy and music on Explanada de Barnuevo.
Friday July 31
20.30: Pride Day on Explanada de Barnuevo.
Sunday August 1
21.00: The Summer Carnival parade.
23.00: Carnival party on Explanada de Barnuevo.
Midnight: The ceremonial burning of a giant papier mâché seahorse on Explanada de Barnuevo to celebrate the end of the July fiestas.
For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist offices of San Javier (main contact number 661 572285) or go to the home page of San Javier Today.
Address
Calle Padre Juan. Centro Cultural Principe de Asturias 30720 SAN JAVIERTel: 968 571 704
Oficina de Turismo de San Javier
The municipality of San Javier has three main offices giving tourist information to visitors, as well as two information points. The tourist offices are located in Santiago de la Ribera, on the ground floor of the town hall in San Javier and at the start of La Manga. There is also a summer tourist information point located on the seafront in Santiago de la Ribera as well as one at kilometre 12-13 of La Manga del Mar Menor next to Playa Mistral.
Due to its location on the fringes of the Mar Menor and Mediterranean, San Javier has a period of intense summer tourism activity during the peak summer months, although it is popular with retirees of all nationalities out of peak season.
Tickets for the annual San Javier Jazz Festival can be purchased at the Festival office in San Javier Town Hall, Plaza de España.
Timetables summer 2024:
Tourist office Santiago de la Ribera (Calle Padre Juan 30720, Santiago de la Ribera)
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Telephone: 661 572285
Email: turismo@sanjavier.es
La Manga del Mar Menor (Gran Vía Km. 0 30380, La Manga del Mar Menor):
May 1 to September 30:
Weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.00
Telephone 968 128955 ext. 2
Tourist information point of San Javier (Plaza de España, 30730 San Javier):
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00
968 573 700 ext #5351
Email: concejaliadeturismo@sanjavier.es
Tourist information point of Santiago de la Ribera (Paseo Colón on the seafront)
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Tourist information point of La Manga del Mar Menor (Playa Mistral, km 12)
Weekdays 11.00 to 18.00
Weekends and public holidays 11.00 to 14.00
