There’s more to San Javier than just beaches!

The municipality of San Javier is famous for its beautiful beaches (and the airport, of course) but it also has a full cultural offering all year round, including international festivals, concerts and fiestas.

Here is a list of all the main fiestas and cultural activities for 2017. Events are loaded in the San Javier What's On section as programmes are made available. Please note, programmes are often not released until a few days before an event: Click What's on San Javier for latest events.

Annual Cultural events calendar

February: Amateur Drama Festival (San Javier)

April: National open-air painting competition

July: San Javier International Jazz Festival (San Javier, Santiago de la Ribera and La Manga del Mar Menor)

August: International Theatre, Music & Dance Festival (San Javier, Santiago de la Ribera and La Manga del Mar Menor)

October: Theatre –Don Juan Tenorio, Dreams and Reality in San Javier Cemetery (San Javier)

December: Christmas art exhibition (San Javier)

Throughout the month of December, a whole host of belenes (nativity scenes) are on display around San Javier:

Belén de España (San Javier)

Belén de la Marquesa (San Javier)

Belén Marinero (Santiago de la Ribera)

Belén Popular (La Grajuela)

Belén de La Manga del Mar Menor

Principal Fiestas

January:

5th - Cabalgata de Reyes Magos (The 3 Kings parade). The Three Kings arrive by sea and parade through the town, accompanied by a host of colourful floats. (Santiago de la Ribera)

5^th - Three Kings’ night. A sound and light show to celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings. (San Javier)

February:

3^rd – Romería de San Blas. The Romeria of San Blas takes place on the 3rd February each year and is the only non maritime Romeria in the Mar Menor, which to put it simply means that it is in the only Romeria in which the figure of a Saint/ Virgin is carried manually through the streets rather than by sea.

This is a huge event which attracts thousands of participants from across the region who accompany the image of San Blas from Santiago de la Ribera to the chapel of San Blas. Activities include a paella which is offered to attendees and parallel sociable events. (Santiago de la Ribera)

Carnival. This takes palce 40 days before Easter, so the dates vary from one year to the next, Carnival falling either in late February or early March. A week of festivities culminate with a grand Carnival Parade featuring many carnaval troupes, preceded by several galas to choose the Queen and key figures of the Carnival, as well as the Children’s Fancy Dress Party, Tapas Route and other sociable activities. (Santiago de la Ribera)

April: Annual Outlet Fair held in Santiago de la Ribera over Easter

May:

Sevillanas fair held around May Day. Celebration of the traditional Sevillanas dancing and music with many performances and competitions taking place in the specially erected marquees. Other highlights include the Misa Rociera sung mass and the Children’s Day. (Santiago de la Ribera)

June:

23^rd - San Juan. Traditional celebration in which you’ll find verbenas (open-air dances) and bonfires on the beaches to clebrate the Día de San Juan. (Santiago de la Ribera)

July

16^th –Virgen del Carmen. Maritime procession and open-air dances. (Santiago de la Ribera) During this celebration the image of the Virgen del Carmen is carried out to sea in a marine romería in a fishing boat, accompanied by many leisure vessels.

25^th –Santiago Apóstol. Fiesta to celebrate the day of the Patron Saint. Activities include open-air dances, performances, a procession, fireworks and sporting activities. (Santiago de la Ribera)

September:

 Fiestas in La Manga del Mar Menor. Sporting competitions, open-air dances and gastronomic tasting sessions. (La Manga del Mar Menor)

November/December:

Fiestas to celebrate the Patron Saint San Francisco Javier. Many activities on offer, including a sound and light show, open-air dances, competitions, parade of floats and sports competitions. (San Javier)

Other events

Outlet Fair. Pick up some great bargains from one of the many stalls at the Outlet Fair, which takes place during Semana Santa (Holy Week). (Santiago de la Ribera)

IMAGINA Youth Art Festival. Festival showcasing some of the best work from up-and-coming young artists. (San Javier and Santiago de la Ribera)

10^th to 12^th June - ECOTUR Festival. Festival to promote Eco-tourism which offers concerts, hot air balloon trips, nature activities and cinema on the beach.(La Manga del Mar Menor)

Click here for more information about the San Javier municipality.