The annual Fiestas of 2023 in honour of San José in Puerto de Mazarrón promise to be the biggest so far, with a full program including concerts, a fairground, a medieval market and a tapas route.

The main focal point of the fiestas is Sunday March 19, the feast day of San José (and Fathers’ Day in Spain), and the night before a large “falla” (papier mâché figure) will be ceremonially burnt at the fairground at the beach of El Rihuete. During the fortnight around that weekend, though, there is a wide range of other events including a medieval market, a rock festival, guided tours and numerous concerts.

The marquee at the Playa del Rihuete is the hub of activities, and the D'Tapas tapas route lasts from March 10 to 26.

The full schedule of events is as follows:

Friday March 10

The tapas route begins, running until Sunday March 26: click here for further details[i].

17.00: The fairground attractions open with a 2-for-the-price-of-1 offer alongside the Paseo del Rihuete in Puerto de Mazarrón.

22.00: Free concert featuring Demarco Flamenco and Adrián Martin in the marquee alongside the Paseo del Rihuete in Puerto de Mazarrón, followed by DJ music. Click here for further details.

Saturday March 11

12.00: The fairground attractions open alongside the Paseo del Rihuete.

13.00: Children’s activities in the Plaza de las Comunidades Autónomas in Puerto de Mazarrón.

13.00: DJ music at El Alamillo in Calle Cabo Cope.

22.00: Free 90s music festival in the marquee alongside Paeo del Rihuete. Click here for further details.

Sunday March 12

11.30 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00: Drilo Park fun for youngsters in Calle José Antonio Ruiz López junto al Parque del Skate Park.

13.00: Live open-air performance by David Andreu in the Plaza de las Comunidades Autónomas, alongside the tourist office.

19.00: Free concert by Formula V Oficial in the marquee alongside Paseo del Rihuete. Click here for further details.

20.30: Mayor Ginés Campillo Méndez gives the official fiestas opening speech at the parish church of San José in Puerto de Mazarrón.

Tuesday March 14

19.45: A talk about the history of the church of San José inside the church itself.

Friday March 17

17.00: The medieval market opens on the Paseo del Rihuete.

17.00: The fairground attractions open with a 2-for-1 offer alongside the Paseo del Rihuete.

19.45: A Vía Crucis proceeds from the current temporary church to the parish church of San José, where a blessing is given.

22.00: Free concert by Orquesta La Mundial in the marquee alongside Paseo del Rihuete.

Saturday March 18

10.00 to 14.00: The monthly arts and crafts market in the Plaza de las Comunidades Autónomas, alongside the tourist office.

11.00: Guided history tour of Puerto de Mazarrón, including the Phoenician Boats Interpretation Centre and the Roman house in Calle Era. Registration for the tour via the tourist office (telephone 968 594426).

11.00: The medieval market opens on the Paseo del Rihuete.

11.30: Musical entertainment for infants and toddlers, Cantajuegos Infantil con los Muñecos, in the marquee alongside Paseo del Rihuete.

12.00: The fairground attractions open alongside the Paseo del Rihuete.

12.00: Holy Mass at the church of San José is officiated by José Manuel Lorca Planes, the Bishop of Cartagena.

13.00: Live music from Dúo Café Lugar in the Plaza de las Comunidades Autónomas, alongside the tourist office.

17.30: Children’s activities next to the “falla” on Paseo del Rihuete.

18.30: Live music from Blue Shot in the marquee on Paseo del Rihuete.

19.00: Choral Mass in the parish church of San José.

21.30: Live concert by Adrian Ruiz in the marquee alongside Paseo del Rihuete.

23.45: The ceremonial burning of the “falla” next to the marquee on Paseo del Rihuete.

Midnight: DJ music in the marquee.

Sunday March 19, the feast day of San José

9.00: Holy Mass in the parish church of San José.

10.00: A choral rosary proceeds from the parish church to the marquee on Paseo del Rihuete.

10.00 to 13.30: Classic car rally on the seafront of Puerto de Mazarrón.

11.00: The medieval market opens on Paseo del Rihuete.

11.00: A “Huertana” Mass is held in the marquee on Paseo del Rihuete.

12.00: The fairground attractions open alongside the Paseo del Rihuete.

12.00: The members of the Centro Social de Personas Mayores de Puerto de Mazarrón parade along the seafront. Pasacalles Huertano a cargo de los miembros del. Lugar: Inicio junto a la Carpa Municipal del Rihuete

13.00: Children’s activities in Calle Cabo Cope, El Alamillo.

16.00: Live performance by Los de la Juana in the marquee on Paseo del Rihuete.

18.00: DJ music in the marquee on Paseo del Rihuete.

19.00: Holy Mass in the parish church of San José.

20.00: Procession of the figure of San José, starting and ending at the parish church.

Friday March 24

17.00: The fairground attractions open with a 2-for-1 offer alongside the Paseo del Rihuete.

Saturday March 25

11.00: Guided history tour of Puerto de Mazarrón, including the Phoenician Boats Interpretation Centre and the Roman house in Calle Era. Registration for the tour via the tourist office (telephone 968 594426).

12.00: The fairground attractions open alongside the Paseo del Rihuete.

13.00: Children’s activities on the Paseo de la Ermita, next to the small church of Bahía.

13.00: Live music from Duo Géminis Lugar in the Plaza de las Comunidades Autónomas, alongside the tourist office.

20.00: The 2023 AlmazaRock Festival at the marquee on Paseo del Rihuete, with a variety of bands including Sober and Saratoga. Admission free of charge.

Sunday March 26

11.30: A solidarity beach run to raise funds for AFIBROMAZ, the local Fibromialgia and Chronic Fatigue association. Registration 5 euros at the marquee on Paseo del Rihuete.

12.00: The fairground attractions open for the last time alongside the Paseo del Rihuete.

12.30: Live concert by A Tempo D’Umore at the marquee on Paseo del Rihuete.

13.00: Children’s activities in Calle Cabo Cope, El Alamillo.

16.00: DJ music in the marquee on Paseo del RIhuete.

20.30: Concert by the Veil Gospel Choir at the parish church of San José.