‘Virgen del Carmen’ Celebrations this Weekend in Benalmadena

By Justin on July 12, 2016 in On the Costa del Sol, What’s On 0

Virgen del Carmen en Benalmadena

Benalmadena is preparing itself for its annual celebrations in honour of the ‘Virgen del Carmen’. Also known as Stella Maris, she is the patron saint of fishermen (Please click on this link for more information on the Virgen del Carmen).

The Benalmadena town hall has prepared various events which will take place on Friday 15th July and Saturday 16^th July (public holiday) including a wonderful procession through the streets of Benalmádena Costa in which the fishermen will carry their ‘Stella Maris’ to the Marina; here she’ll be lifted aboard a fishing boat and paraded along the Benalmadena coastline. If you’ve got some good binoculars, a great place to watch this is from the terrace in our Panorama Bar here at Sunset Beach Club or from the promenade just in front of the hotel.

Some of the activities and events organised for the Virgen del Carmen celebrations are the following:

Bouncy Castles for children will be set up in the western side of the Marina (looking towards Sunset Beach Club): Price is just 1€ per session.
On Friday 15^th July at 9:50 pm town hall officials will ‘switch on’ the lighting for the Virgen del Carmen celebrations
At 11:30am from Malapesquera Beach, the traditional swimming race across the bay.
Beach Volleyball tournament on Malapesquera Beach on Saturday 16th July.
‘Virgen del Carmen’ Sailing Regatta to be held in the waters just off the Marina… fun to watch!
Saturday the 16^thJuly is the day everyone has been waiting for: the official procession of the Virgen del Carmen. At around 7:00pm, after Mass, she will leave the ‘El Carmen’ Church and be carried through the streets of Benalmadena Costa and down to the port authority in the Marina. She should arrive at the Marina at approximately 9:00pm when she’ll be lifted on board a fishing boat to commence a 2 hour journey along the Benalmadena coastline. (If you haven’t seen this, we highly recommend you take a trip down to the Marina to watch…don’t forget your camera!)The icing on the cake for these celebrations will be the amazing firework display on the Malapesquera Beach at 11:00pm!