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| THE MAR MENOR | THE REGION | TRAVEL | ACTIVITIES | SIGHTS | WHAT'S ON |
Whats on outside the villa, for 2005
The Mar Menor coastal towns are bursting with life and throughout the summer months are a host to celebration after celebration, each giving a different taste of culture. It's not just the bright summer days that are full of festivity, the region is alive with merrymaking almost 365 days a year. Below is just a few of the times where you will be able to observe the surrounding areas rejoicing - so why not see what you could enjoy during your visit.
January
January 1st and 6th
Bank holidays throughout Spain.
February
February 3rd
San Blas pilgrimage - celebrations can be spotted throughout all the Mar Menor towns. Locals prepare to compete against each other in the annual 'Paella' contests. Visitors are invited to sample the local foods and the Mardi Gras (carnival celebrations) are somewhat of a traditional Spanish entertainment. A colourful parade is held, and every year a different town is chosen to host this marvellous display.
March
March 4th
Carnival Tuesday - Carnival celebrations, known as 'Mardi Gras,' are held throughout Spain. Although the day is supposed to be held on Shrove Tuesday (pancake Tuesday), towns may decide to hold activities on the days surrounding it, or continue events for up to two weeks after it (although this is more common in the Spanish capitals). However they layout the celebrations it is likely the main events will take place in the Shrove Tuesday week.
March 19th
Public holiday in Murcia (regional only).
April
April 13th - 20th
Holy Week - The religious festivals are large events for the Spanish, and a fantastic sight not to be missed if you happen to be renting at the right time of year. Easter sees the streets of Cartagena, San Pedro de Pinatar and Cabo de Palos decorated by many processions in the name of Christ. Cartagena, for example, is noted as a major tourist interest during this religious time especially on Good Friday when two processions meet together in the early hours of the morning. Cartagena is not alone in its vast processions during the week, Cabo de Palos holds a beautiful yet moving one on Maundy Thursday, known as the 'Christ of the Fisherman'. Like England, Good Friday is also a Spanish Bank holiday.
The week after Easter
A pirate theme surrounds Los Alacazares this week with the 'Berber attacks in the Mar Menor'.
May
May 1st
Bank holiday throughout Spain.
May 15th
San Isdro Labrador - Patron saints day for Pozo Aledo in the district of San Javier.
June
June 9th
Public holiday in Murcia (regional only).
June 14th - 24th
San Juan - Patron saints day celebrated by both San Javier and San Pedro. Both towns are decorated by floats, brought to live by brass bands and dances, and finalised by a colourful display of fireworks to keep the day alight throughout.
June 29th
The feast of San Pedro - With only a few nights to rest the streets of San Pedro are once again a live with floats and dancers, scattered with 'barracas' for, above all, enjoying the cuisine, and for the more energetic - some typical dancing.
Throughout July and August
At the beginning of July a gun shot can be heard echoing throughout the Mar Menor as a pistol is shot to announce the beginning of two months of summer celebrations. Below are just a few of the celebrations that are held throughout either, or both, July and August.
San Javier is host to two contrasting events, among many others, over the two summer months. The San Juan festivals continue with 'San Juan and the worlds arts,' and for the louder people among us, the town also holds a 'lively' yet highly entertaining pop rock concert, 'Pecata Minuta,' at the same time.
La Mar de Musicas - a large music festival held in Cartagena, in July.
Haberanera, theatre and poetry contests in Cabo De Palo, Los Urrutias among many other towns. Haberanera is a type of Afro Cuban music and worth sampling if you happen to pass by the area.
Every August San Javier hosts the famous international theatre, music and dance festival. Several 'stars' can be spotted at this event in the Municipal Auditorium throughout the month.
August in the Mar Menor towns is a very musical month with the Mar Menor folklore concert in San Pedro and the 'Cante de la Minas,' in La Union.
July
July 16th
The Virgen del Carmen - a large patron saints day celebrated throughout the towns. Either take to the seas or watch from the shores as boats from Lo Pagan, Santiago de la Ribera, Los Alcazares, Catagena and the other coastal villages, 'march' across the ocean. A figure can be seen on the bow of the leading boat, this is that of the Virgen del Carmen.
July 25th
Santiago day - Santiago is the patron saint of all of Spain and it is on this day that Santiago de la Ribera can be seen by the skies with an array of colourful fireworks. Within the town the sound of processions and the sight of the Spanish dancers makes the patron saints day a day of enjoyment for the locals and the tourists.
August
August 1st - 14th (days slightly vary from year to year, but it is roughly the first two weeks of August)
A Sea festival in Los Alcazares, this includes the sea procession of the Assumption (15th August). Pilgrimages take place on land and sea, and of course there is much dancing to be attempted or just viewed!
Mid August
The International Mining Song Festival, although largely unheard of within the British Isles, this festival is one of the most important Flamenco singing contests outside the Andalusia area.
August 14th - 21st (the third week of August)
Los Alcazares' Market Garden week, 'Semana de la Huerta y el Mar', paying tribute to the town of Murica. As with all Spanish festival, activities include dancing, and for a taste of culture, many local cuisines are also available for sampling, and local produce on display.
During the same week La Manga takes a more competitive path; holding sports contests and evenings of poetry reading and dancing.
August 15th
Bank holiday throughout Spain.
August 25th
Locals on pilgrimage from Cartagena arrive in the ancient monastry of San Gines de la Jara, which begins and end throughout the second part of August.
September
September 1st - 8th (to be confirmed)
As the end of the summer draws near, and the two months of celebrations are almost over, the Spanish holds the Carthaginians and Romans in Cartagena. It remembers Cartagena's founding's and gives spectators a glimpse of the cities history. Firstly both sides set up campsites before war is declared. A passionate and motivating speech is given by Hannibal, as history states, and then the battle begins for the capture of the city. Words cannot describe the scene of Cartagena during this celebration and this is certainly a time visitors should visit the city for a taste of history and an entertaining time watching the reconstruction and learning without the worry of the language barrier.
October
October 7th
The festival of the 'Virgen del Rosario' at El Miradon, within the district of San Javier.
October 12th
Fish stew day (Dia del Caldero) in Los Alcazares. At eve time people gather on the beach celebrating the municipal autonomy to enjoy the typical dish of the Mar Menor.
November
November 1st
Bank holiday throughout Spain.
November (dates to be confirmed)
A week of naval and sea films will be held in Cartagena, coinciding with the cities international jazz festivals.
December
December 3rd
San Javier saints day - Yet another patron saints day that sees the locals take to the streets and dance in celebration. Laser and music shows are among other activities held on this day, which is also seen as one invitation to begin the Christmas festivity.
December 6th, 8th and 25th
All Bank holidays throughout Spain.
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