The "Virgen Del Carmen" is a Fiesta in Calpe, Spain when sailors celebrate with a festival to honour their patron saint, the "Virgen del Carmen". The Cofradía de Pescadores (Fishermen’s Association) organises the event, which includes games, live music, floral offerings, and fireworks. The Virgen del Carmen fiesta is celebrated in many coastal areas in Spain - it runs for several days in Calpe, with the main celebration being held on July 16th.
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16-20 July 2025
Feistas in Calpe 2025 | Fiesta Calendar 2025 | Calpe Online 24
Sailors celebrate this fiesta to honour the patron saint, "Virgen del Carmen". The Cofradía de Pescadores (Fishermen’s Association) organises the different events. This fiesta has been celebrated in Calpe since 1940.
The Día de la Virgen del Carmen fiesta is celebrated in many coastal areas in Spain - it runs for several days in Calpe, with the main celebration being held on July 16th. The fiesta involves many traditions including parades through the town, offering of flowers, and the PROCESION MARINERA, where the effigy of the Virgin is carried through the streets by a group of local fishermen, then taken on a boat around Calpe harbour.
Details of the 2025 fiesta are not yet available. For guidance, please refer to the programme below (from a prior year).
WEDNESDAY 16th July
12:00 Solemn mass, accompanied by the “CORAL IFACH". At the end of the Mass, a “Mascleta" will be displayed at Plaza Mayor (held by Dragon Pyrotechnics).
20:00 Traditional floral offering to the "Cantisima Virgen del Carmen" at the fishing port area. Seafarer community and devotees are kindly requested to carry flower bunches. Then, the "Procesion Marinera" (Seafarer Procession) will take place at the port, accompanied by the bands 'Xirimiters del Carellot' and 'Union Musical Calp Ifach'. After the procession, an oration will be prayed and the Calpe Rowing Club will carry a flower crown which will be thrown offshore, in the memory of the dead seafarers.
22:30 Fireworks display (held by Dragon Pyrotechnics).
The Virgen del Carmen is revered as the protector of sailors, with roots tracing back to the Old Testament prophet Elias and the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmelo (Stella Maris). In Calpe, the Cofradía de Pescadores (Fishermen’s Guild) organizes the event, blending religious devotion with festive activities like parades, fireworks, and maritime traditions. The festival, dating back to 1940, is a highlight of Calpe’s cultural calendar, uniting locals and visitors in celebration.
Location: Events centre around Calpe’s fishing port and Plaza Mayor, with processions moving through the town and harbour
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