August 22 An evening of traditional fishing, food and fun at the beach of El Portús

The Jornada Marinera Portusium Jábega event includes a sardine barbecue for all!

The annual Jornada Marinera Portusium Jábega event returns once again to the coastal village of El Portús, in the west of the municipality of Cartagena, on the evening of August 22.

This fiesta celebrates the origins of the small fishing village and particularly the “jábega” fishing technique, which is recreated by locals dressed in the traditional clothing of fishermen in days gone by.

Written accounts suggest that the jábega was used by the Phoenicians well before the birth of Christ and it was certainly employed by the Romans: the name of the event derives partly from the Latin “portusium” (drainage), and this is the origin of the name of the village in reference to the rambla (floodwater channel) which leads to this part of the coast.

The day's events include the follwing:

10.00 to 13.00: An information point opens in the village to encourage walkers to explore the natural park of La Muela, Cabo Tiñoso y Roldán.

21.00: The casting and collection of the jábega nets begins, to be followed by a sardone barbecue and then live music from Karpe Diem at 23.00. 

1.00: Family bingo.

The following evening, August 23, the annual Feria del Mar y la Naturaleza is being held at 19.00, with various clubs and associations informing people about what they do to help maintain the local countryside and the beach.

At the same an "aerial dance" show is being held, starring Natividad Guerrero - it promises to be quite a spectacle! 

These are the final two days of the 2026 summer fiestas in El Portús, with evening entertainments also scheduled for 20th and 21st August.

For more upcoming events in the Costa Cálida visit the What’s On section of Murcia Today.