Carnival fever grips the coast of the Mar Menor in the build-up to the main parade on February 22

The Carnival celebrations in Santiago de la Ribera, on the coast of the Mar Menor in the municipality of San Javier, are among the noisiest and most colourful in the Region of Murcia to celebrate the beginning of Lent (40 days before Easter), and this year the party includes a series of activities leading up to the Grand Carnival parade itself.

The celebrations begin in earnest this year on Friday 13th February with a gala and fried egg dinner (!) and come to an end on 22nd February with the grand parade. This is traditionally the last main Carnival parade in the Region, and the aim is to attract as many peñas (Carnival troupes) as possible from other areas for just one more quiver of that feather boa before it’s down to Lent and, supposedly, 40 days of abstinence.

Most of the events are focused on the large marquee set up in the Jardines Príncipe de Asturias, alongside the Centro Cívico Príncipe de Asturias and close to the Explanada Barnuevo in Santiago de la Ribera, and although many of them are for the peñas participating in the Carnival, other events are open to anyone who wants to come along. The culmination of the whole celebration is the grand parade, which is a hugely popular event for expats and visitors to the municipality as well as those who live in San Javier and Santiago de la Ribera.

The schedule for Carnival 2026 in Santiago de la Ribera includes the following:

Friday February 13

21.00: Official presentation of the 2026 Carnival poster and a Fried Egg Dinner (yes, you read that correctly) at the Centro Cívico Príncipe de Asturias. Tickets 14 euros.

Saturday February 14

23.00: Gala to choose the 2026 Carnival Queen at the municipal marquee which is set up outside the Centro Cívico Príncipe de Asturias in Santiago de la Ribera.

Sunday February 15

12.00: Canine Carnival for pets and their owners on the seafront at Explanada Barnuevo.

17.30: Gala to choose the children’s 2026 Carnival Queen in the marquee outside the Centro Cívico Príncipe de Asturias.

Tuesday February 17

17.30: Children’s Carnival party in the marquee outside the Centro Cívico Príncipe de Asturias.

Wednesday February 18

17.30: Carnival party for local societies and associations in the marquee outside the Centro Cívico Príncipe de Asturias.

Thursday February 19

22.00: Music from "chirigota" comedy singing groups in the marquee outside the Centro Cívico Príncipe de Asturias.

Friday February 20

22.00: Gala to choose the Drag Queen of the 2026 Carnival in the marquee outside the Centro Cívico Príncipe de Asturias. 

Saturday February 21

12.00: Pasabares Carnavalero, a route visiting various local hostelries… registration for the event is priced at 18 euros.

Sunday February 22

16.00: The Grand Carnival parade, starting in Avenida de la Aviación Española and heading for Explanada Barnuevo.

 

And such is the Carnival fervour in Santiago de la Ribera that plans are already being made for the Summer Carnival on 1st August !!!

 

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of San Javier Today or contact the local tourist office in Santiago de la Ribera (telephone 661 572285). 

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