What's On in Cartagena

Everything on in Cartagena — live events, gigs, markets, fiestas and nightlife for today, tonight and this week. Updated regularly, free to browse.

Narrow it down: Tonight

Cartagena's calendar is one of Spain's most theatrical. Every September the whole city becomes an ancient battleground for the Carthaginians and Romans (Cartagineses y Romanos) — ten days of costumed armies, a Roman circus, the wedding of Hannibal and a huge closing parade. Its Semana Santa is a Festival of International Tourist Interest, and each July La Mar de Músicas brings world music to the Roman amphitheatre and the old town.

Day to day there's the big Wednesday street market on the Ribera de San Javier, and the Christmas lights and Three Kings parade in winter. This page keeps the coming days — tonight, this weekend and the week ahead — in one place, updated as events are confirmed.

10 results

Updated today
Market Wed 7 Oct · 08:30

Cartagena (Ribera de San Javier) Street Market

Ribera de San Javier, Cartagena

Cartagena's biggest weekly street market — up to 282 stalls of produce, clothes and household goods on the Ribera de San Javier every Wednesday morning, 8:30am–1:30pm. (Smaller markets run Mondays in Barrio de Peral and Fridays.)

Free entry Outdoor Free
Culture Sun 25 Oct · 20:00

Anabel Alonso — 'La Celestina'

Auditorio El Batel, Cartagena

Actress Anabel Alonso takes on the title role in a new staging of the Spanish classic 'La Celestina' at the El Batel auditorium.

Ticketed Indoor €€ Visit ↗
Culture Fri 30 Oct · 20:00

The Sleeping Beauty — Ballet of Kiev

Auditorio El Batel, Cartagena

The Ballet of Kiev performs Tchaikovsky's 'The Sleeping Beauty' (Petipa choreography) at the El Batel auditorium — a full-length classical ballet.

Ticketed Indoor €€€ Family-friendly Visit ↗
Music Sun 1 Nov · from 20:30

Cartagena Jazz Festival

Auditorio El Batel, Cartagena

One of Spain's longest-running jazz festivals, staged mainly at the El Batel auditorium. The 2026 line-up includes Pat Metheny (8 Nov), Salvador Sobral (1 Nov), the Kronos Quartet (15 Nov) and GoGo Penguin (16 Nov).

Ticketed Indoor €€ Visit ↗
Culture Sat 7 Nov · 20:00

María León — 'Casa de muñecas' (A Doll's House)

Auditorio El Batel, Cartagena

María León stars in Ibsen's classic 'Casa de muñecas' (A Doll's House) at the El Batel auditorium.

Ticketed Indoor €€ Visit ↗
Festival Sat 5 Dec · from 18:30

Cartagena Christmas Lights & Market

Calle Mayor & town centre, Cartagena

Cartagena's Christmas season — the lights switch-on, a Christmas market and family activities around Calle Mayor and the port, running through to Three Kings. Opening night confirmed nearer the date.

Free Outdoor Free Family-friendly
Family Tue 5 Jan · 18:00

Cabalgata de Reyes Magos

Town centre, Cartagena

The Three Kings parade on the eve of Epiphany — floats, music and sweets through the centre of Cartagena. The big family night of the Spanish Christmas.

Free Outdoor Free Family-friendly
Festival Fri 19 Mar · from 18:00

Semana Santa de Cartagena

Town centre, Cartagena

Cartagena's Holy Week — a Festival of International Tourist Interest, famous for its strikingly ordered, military-precision processions of the rival brotherhoods (Californios and Marrajos), with lavish silverwork and thousands of penitents.

Free entry Outdoor Free Family-friendly Visit ↗
Music Fri 16 Jul · from 20:00

La Mar de Músicas

Across Cartagena

Cartagena's acclaimed international world-music festival — dozens of concerts across the city and the old town, many of them free, each edition built around a guest country. Exact dates confirmed nearer the time.

Ticketed Outdoor €€ Family-friendly Visit ↗

Frequently asked questions

What are the Cartagineses y Romanos in Cartagena?

A ten-day historical re-enactment fiesta each September (18–27 in 2026) in which costumed Carthaginian and Roman armies fill the streets — a Roman circus with gladiators, the wedding of Hannibal and Himilce, mock battles and a grand parade. One of Spain's biggest festivals of its kind.

What day is the Cartagena street market?

The main weekly market is on Wednesday, roughly 8:30am to 1:30pm on the Ribera de San Javier, with up to 282 stalls — the city's largest. Smaller markets run on Mondays (Barrio de Peral) and Fridays.

When is Semana Santa in Cartagena?

The ten days before Easter (late March in 2027) — a Festival of International Tourist Interest, famous for its strikingly ordered, military-precision processions.

What is La Mar de Músicas?

Cartagena's international world-music festival each July, with dozens of concerts across the city (many of them free), each edition built around a guest country.