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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Sunday 16th July 2023
Feistas in Calpe 2023 | Fiesta Calendar 2023 | 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 2023 fiesta are not yet available. For guidance, please refer to the programme below (from a prior year).
Friday 12th July
21:00 Dinner at the Baydal Restaurant with the band "DIAMONS"
Saturday 13th July
10:30 Water games at the fishing port area (water mattresses, water castles & music).
11:30 Greasy poles (cucañas), including different games including Pull The Rope, Run with Eggs, Bowls with Apples, Sack Race, piñatas. In all cases, the winner and second-placed will be awarded.
16:30 "PARTIDA DE PELOTA VALENCIANA (Valencian Ball Game) in Carrer García Ortíz.
22:00 MiniFestival Creampop with the bands NEUMAN, THE LEVITANTS AND Q-71 (QUEEN Tribute Band).
NOTE: There will be a bar service at popular prices.
Sunday 14th July
10:30 Water castle accompanied by ambient music and the "Colla de Xirimitrers EL CARELLOT".
12:00 Paella Contest - Awards will be given to the three best rice dishes cooked according to the rules of the contest. With music from "EL CARELLOT". At the end of the competition there will be a Mobile Disco in the fish market.
Monday 15th July
22:00 Entertainment in the Plaza Mayor from the great "DIAMONS SHOW" musical orchestra.
Note. There will be bar service at popular prices
Tuesday 16 July
11:30 Meeting of authorities (local festival committee, festival queen and ladies, seafarer community and invited guests) at Plaça Mariners to attend the Mass (at church Nuestra Señora de las Nieves).
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). Afterwards, an appetiser will be served to all guests in the Bar at the Casa de Cultura.
20:30 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).
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