Festivals in Cartagena
Discover the main festivals, celebrations and traditions of Cartagena, municipality of Murcia, in Murcia.
Local festivals in Cartagena
Our Lady of Charity and Viernes de Dolores
Cartagena dedicates its principal civic day to Our Lady of Charity, the city's popular patroness and perpetual mayoress, on Viernes de Dolores. The day combines the first Mass in the Basílica de la Caridad, the historic Onza de Oro and a major floral offering involving neighbourhoods, outlying districts, confraternities, associations, bands and folk groups.
Programme for 2026. On 27 March, the Cristo del Socorro Way of the Cross began at 03:30 and stopped at the basilica at 06:00; the Onza de Oro took place at 11:30 and the floral offering left Plaza del Ayuntamiento at 17:00 for the Iglesia de la Caridad. Source: Cartagena City Council.
Carthaginians and Romans
Date, duration and usual places. The great historical festival occupies ten days of the second half of September. The Festive Camp, the Town Hall, the port, the Cuesta del Batel, the historic centre and archaeological settings host recreations and parades. The Virgin of Charity, patron saint of Cartagena, is celebrated separately on Friday of Sorrows.
2026 Programme. The XXXVII edition recovers the Great Roman Circus at the Cartagonova Municipal Stadium on 23 September, seventeen years after its previous celebration there. The municipal agreement provides 204,000 euros and transfers spaces and services to the Federation. As of 5 August, the complete daily programme had not yet been published, so the 2025 schedules are not presented as current.
Traditions and participation. The Lighting of the Sacred Fire, the Foundation of Qart Hadasht, the Wedding of Hannibal and Himilce, the landing, the battle, the Roman Senate, the parade and the Extinguishing of the Fire articulate the recreation of the Second Punic War. More than 6.000 festeros of troops and legions, the Federation, City Council, collaborating entities, families and visitors.
Local public holidays in 2026. Cartagena fijó el Friday, 27 March, Friday of Sorrows, and Friday, 25 September, Friday of Carthaginians and Romans. They are two municipal non-working days and should not be confused with the ten-day duration of the historical festival or with the entire Holy Week.
Detailed information on individual celebrations:
See also the general guide to Our Lady of Charity festivals in Spain.