Fiestas del Carmen 2025
Formentera, 13 July 2025
During the first weeks of July, La Savina has been buzzing with activity in anticipation of the Day of Carmen. A chess tournament took place at the Formentera Nautical Sports Centre, bringing together local and visiting players around the boards. The following Sunday, water games brought fun and refreshment, turning the port into an impromptu water park for both children and adults.
The week before the main event, kids took center stage with a foam party and bouncy castles at the Parque de las Islas Pitiusas, where music and colour filled the afternoon. Meanwhile, residents took part in an Instagram video contest, now closed, which left behind a collection of summery memories online.
All of this served as a prelude to the true heart of the celebrations, beating strongest on 16 July, the Day of Carmen, when the patron saint of sailors sets sail, escorted by a multitude of boats.
On that day, La Savina is transformed: the scent of sea salt blends with incense, the sound of engines and horns merges with live music and dancing, and the festive spirit reminds everyone that the island of Formentera owes everything to the sea.
16 July: The Maritime Procession
The Day of Carmen is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a living expression of La Savina’s seafaring soul. At 6:30 p.m., the terrace of the Casa del Mar hosts a solemn mass, a spiritual prelude to what is about to unfold. Locals, fishing boat captains, and families gather to ask the Virgin for protection before her journey across the waters.
Just before 7:00 p.m., the image of the Virgin of Carmen is carried to a decorated trawler, adorned with flowers and pennants. As the boat pulls away from the dock, a hundred llaüts, motorboats, and sailboats—many with blaring sirens and horns—join the procession. The fleet sails slowly along the coast of the Natural Park, pausing offshore to cast floral wreaths into the sea in memory of those lost at sea.
Celebration on Land
Once back in port, the festivities continue with traditional folk dancing by the groups Es Xacoters and Es Pastorells. Their ceremonial steps and traditional attire are a reminder that Formentera’s identity is woven both on deck and on land. This display of folklore bridges generations and keeps the island’s spirit alive.
As night falls, the stage at the dock lights up for a musical evening that lasts into the early morning. At 10:00 p.m., the band Sur kicks things off, followed by La 22 at midnight. The dance floor then belongs to DJs Marcos C and Lluis, who bring the main event to a high-energy close. A special bus service connecting the island’s towns ensures partygoers can return home safely.
Respect for the Sea
Celebrating the Day of Carmen in La Savina is to experience the deep bond between the people of Formentera and the surrounding sea. Every mass, every siren, and every dance step pays tribute to a patron saint who has watched over sailors for centuries. A sea that, although calm and friendly most summer days, can turn harsh and violent—as we were starkly reminded on 14 August 2024, when a storm endangered many lives along the Formentera coast.
I’m Ramón Tur, the person behind everything written and photographed on this website about Formentera. I discovered the island in 1972 when my parents, aboard the mythical Joven Dolores, took me on vacation from Ibiza for the first time, and it was love at first sight that has only grown stronger over time, making Formentera my place of residence for many years now. If you wish, you can follow me on Instagram @4mentera.com_
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