Mojacar Playa (Beach) is in complete contrast to the Pueblo. It is a modern coastal strip of beach bars and palm trees, Mojacar Playa has become an attractive tourist location to both Spanish and British holiday makers. One of the most notable events of the year is the Moors & Christians festival.
The end of February is carnival time in Mojacar. As in the rest of Andalucía, Mojacar takes advantage of the carnival season to take to the streets to recall with ironic songs and costumes what has happened in the world and above all in the town over the past twelve months. The carnival celebrations grow stronger every year.
Día de Andalucía on February 28. Mojacar celebrates the official day for the Andalucian region with concerts and public acts.
Día de la Vieja (The Old Woman’s Day). Celebrated on the first Thursday in Lent (end March). Local people take to the countryside to picnic and pass the day in large groups of family and friends. Each group, observing a custom lost in time takes with them a home-made doll designed to look like an old woman (made from cardboard. paper and material) inside which is filled with sweets. At the end of the day the piñata is hung on a wooden frame and stoned by the children until the sweets are revealed. The winter season is thus over and a fruitful spring is greeted.
Semana Santa Holy Week. Mojacar celebrates the warm spring weather and the beginning of the beach-days with the celebration of some attractive processions which wind through the narrow streets of the town, particularly on Holy Thursday and Friday. The famous ‘Procesion del Encuentro’ reaches its peak under the ‘Gate of the City’. The activities begin with a concert from the municipal band.
Romeria de San Isidro in May. On the Sunday nearest to the 15th of the month. Carts are adorned with flowers and are drawn through most of the municipality. Ending in the hamlet of Sopalmo where the municipal band awaits. to begin the fiesta and dances.
Mojacar Moors and Christians Festival in June. Held on the week-end closest to June 10th. In 2006 this means June 9th, 10th and 11th. This is without doubt Mojacar’s biggest festival. Not just because of the large participation from the town’s-folk who prepare for this event all year long, but also for the spectacular commemoration of the peaceful submission by the town to the Catholic Kings and the peaceful co-existence of the two cultures of the times. The festival always begins on a Friday with the opening of the Moorish and Christian camps (known respectively as ‘kabilas’ and ‘cuarteles’) and the festival continues uninterrupted until the final glorious parade on the Sunday evening.
Music Festival at the Fuente. July. In the perfect setting of the fuente (the fountain) surrounded by the thirteen water pipes. Musicians offer concerts from flamenco to chamber music for the delight of locals and visitors alike.
Fiestas de Sopalmo. The charming hamlet below Mojacar celebrates her patron day sometime during the first two weeks of August. The traditional ribbon race. Dance music and the coronation of the fiesta Queen and courtiers make up the attractions.
Mojacar’s Saint’s Day. August 28th. The traditional festival in honour of San Agustin is held for during several days around the date and always includes the nearest weekend. Along with the evening dances with live groups. other enjoyable concerts and sports activities are held. Also not to be missed is the ‘bringing of the water’ from the fountain to be offered for the Saint’s blessing. when the Mojaquera maidens wear their traditional outfits.
Dia de La Patrona Virgen del Rosario. October 7th. Many activities on this day to celebrate the Virgin of the Rosario saint including the traditional ribbon race on horseback for married folk.
Christmas in Mojacar. An excellent time to participate in some of the special masses and concerts held in the parish church.
New Year’s Eve is particular fun with the consumption of the twelve lucky grapes and cava held in the square under the clock tower and the various parties that follow after.
