Festivities

SANT ANTONI FESTIVITY

The festivities in honour of Saint Anthony Abbot are one of the most deeply rooted and cherished winter traditions in Alcalà de la Jovada, in the Vall d’Alcalà. They are celebrated on the weekend closest to 17 January and combine religious devotion, popular culture, and community gathering in a festive atmosphere that strengthens the identity of the municipality.

The Plantà and Cremà of the Pine Tree

One of the most emblematic events is the traditional planting of the pine tree. Festival participants and neighbours go to the mountains to cut a pine tree, which is later transported to the town centre and raised in the village square. This collective act symbolises the strength and unity of the community.

On Saturday evening, the burning of the pine tree takes place, the central moment of the celebration. Fire, an ancestral and purifying element, lights up the winter night as residents and visitors gather around it. The evening continues with music and a live orchestra, turning the square into a lively space of celebration and togetherness.

Aurora and Traditional Events

On Sunday morning the Aurora takes place, a sung procession through the streets of the town in honour of the saint. Participants perform traditional chants while walking through the town centre, keeping alive one of the oldest expressions of Valencian popular culture.

At the end of the Aurora, the traditional distribution of hot chocolate and fritters takes place, a much-anticipated moment that brings together families and visitors.

During the day, residents also carry out the traditional collection of sausages from houses around the village, a community practice that culminates in the popular grilled sausage gathering, where salchichones and butifarras are toasted over the fire. This communal meal is one of the most participatory events of the festival, where fire and traditional cuisine become a meeting point for different generations.

The programme is completed with a mass in honour of Saint Anthony Abbot, patron saint of animals, preserving the religious character of the celebration.

A Festival of Identity and Community

The Sant Antoni festivities in the Vall d’Alcalà represent not only a religious celebration but also a living expression of the municipality’s intangible cultural heritage. The combination of fire, music, gastronomy, and tradition makes this weekend an essential event in the local festive calendar.

Each year, residents and visitors actively participate in a celebration that keeps the spirit of traditional Valencian festivities alive, strengthening community bonds and preserving customs passed down from generation to generation.

ALCALÀ DE LA JOVADA PATRON SAINT FESTIVITIES

The patron saint festivities of Alcalà de la Jovada are held at the beginning of August in honour of the Virgin of Pilar (Saturday), the Holy Christ of the Mount (Sunday), and the Saints of the Stone (Monday). These celebrations are the town’s main festive event and combine religious tradition, popular culture, and strong community participation.

Friday – La Vespra (The Eve)

The festivities begin with the traditional eve celebration. A solemn general ringing of church bells officially announces the start of the festivities. This is followed by the entrance parade of the Moros y Cristianos “filaetes”, filling the streets with music and a festive atmosphere. The day concludes with a musical performance.

Saturday – Virgin of Pilar

Saturday begins with the procession to gather the festivity representatives and local authorities, followed by a solemn mass with a floral offering in honour of the patron saint.

In the afternoon, the parade of floats takes place, one of the most participatory and eagerly awaited events. Residents parade through the streets in imaginative costumes, bringing colour and festive spirit to the town.

Later in the evening, the procession in honour of the Virgin of Pilar is held, the central act of the day, followed by a musical performance.

Sunday – Moors and Christians

Sunday is dedicated to the Holy Christ of the Mount and to the celebration of the Moors and Christians festival.

The day begins with the traditional diana (early morning musical parade) and a mass in honour of the saint.

In the afternoon, one of the most spectacular moments of the festivities takes place: the Moors and Christians parade, in which the town’s seven filaes march through the streets wearing their elaborate costumes, accompanied by music and choreographies, creating a colourful and deeply rooted cultural spectacle.

The evening is dedicated to shows and musical performances.

Monday – Paella Day

Monday, dedicated to the Saints of the Stone, is the main day of community gathering.

After the mass, groups of residents meet in the lower part of the town to celebrate the traditional paella competition, sharing a convivial meal together.

At night, after the procession, a community dinner is held in the town square, followed by a lively costume party.

Cultural Week

Following the patron saint festivities, the town celebrates its Cultural Week, featuring a varied programme that includes theatre and music performances, workshops, excursions, and activities for all residents.

Cultural Week concludes with a closing community dinner, accompanied by performances by local artists, bringing several days of celebration, participation, and community spirit to an end.

BENIAIA PATRON SAINT FESTIVITIES

The patron saint festivities of Beniaia are held at the end of August in honor of the Immaculate Conception (Saturday) and Saint Anthony of Padua (Sunday).

Friday – La Vespra

The celebrations begin with a community dinner, followed by an evening of music and dancing that marks the official start of the festivities.

Saturday – Immaculate Conception

On Saturday, a floral offering and a solemn mass are held in honor of the patron saint. In the afternoon, after the procession, a communal dinner takes place, accompanied by live musical entertainment.

Sunday – Saint Anthony of Padua

The festivities conclude on Sunday with the mass in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua, an event that closes the festive program and keeps the town’s religious tradition alive.

AL-AZRAQ FEST, Culture, Gastronomy, and Leisure

The Al-Azraq Fest is a fair dedicated to gastronomy, culture, and tourism held in the municipality of Alcalà de la Jovada. This event pays tribute to the historical figure of Al-Azraq, a character closely linked to the history of the La Marina Alta region and to the mountain areas of inland Alicante.

During the event, the town becomes a meeting point for residents, visitors, and anyone interested in local culture. The festival combines tradition, music, gastronomy, and family activities, offering a complete experience to discover the heritage and lifestyle of the area.

The Al-Azraq Fest programme usually includes:

A tapas route, where local bars and restaurants offer dishes inspired by the traditional cuisine of the region.
Live music and concerts, bringing life to the streets and venues throughout the town.
A local products market, featuring crafts, regional produce, and cultural offerings.
Book presentations, exhibitions, and cultural activities, related to the history and landscape of the region.
Children’s and family activities, making the event enjoyable for all ages.

Al-Azraq Fest is also a great opportunity to discover the natural surroundings and mountain routes around Alcalà de la Jovada, a territory deeply shaped by history and by the legacy of the legendary Andalusi leader Al-Azraq.

Each edition offers a varied programme that combines culture, gastronomy, and leisure, consolidating the festival as a key event for those wishing to discover the identity, history, and flavours of the mountains of La Marina Alta.