Festivals in Águilas

Local festivals in Águilas

The internationally recognised Carnival and the patronal feast of the Virgen de los Dolores are Águilas's principal celebrations. The Town Council, Federación de Peñas, carnival groups, brotherhoods, musicians, residents and visitors sustain a calendar spread across the town centre, castle, Plaza de España, harbour and parish church of San José.

Usual celebration

Carnival moves with the Lenten calendar and lasts several days. Its distinctive traditions include the release of the Mussona from the Castillo de San Juan, the Fiesta de la Cuerva, the eggshell battle between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma, opening speeches, fancy-dress competitions and the large peña and comparsa parades. The Virgen de los Dolores is honoured on the Friday before Palm Sunday with mass, a floral offering, a procession and events around San José.

Programme for 2026

The main Carnival cycle ran from 12 to 21 February 2026. The Mussona set off on 12 February; the children's and adult battles and opening speeches were held in Plaza de España on the 14th; the first large parade followed Avenida Juan Carlos I and Calle Rey Carlos III on the 15th; and the third parade, burning of Doña Carnal, fireworks and prize-giving closed the festivities on the 21st.

Local public holidays in 2026

The BORM calendar declares 17 February and 27 March 2026 as Águilas's two paid, non-recoverable local non-working days. The first falls within Carnival and the second coincides with the Friday before Palm Sunday; neither makes the complete programme of either celebration an employment holiday.

Other events

Holy Week, the Monas de Pascua outings, summer festivals and pilgrimages complete the annual calendar, with events at the Infanta Doña Elena Auditorium and Conference Centre and at coastal and parish venues.

Sources

• Águilas Tourism: the municipality's festivals
• Águilas Town Council: special Carnival 2026 calendar
• Águilas Town Council: closing events of Carnival 2026
• BORM: local public holidays for 2026