fiestas
It is said that no nation on earth is quite as good at enjoying itself as
Spain. There are so many fiestas that even if you could attend more than
one a day you would not be able to see them all in a single lifetime. Fiestas
are a year-long business for the local communities as they prepare for individual
festivals. Membership in one of the various organisations or filaes, is
much more than a hobby. The participants meet regularly throughout the year
to commune with their brethren, raise funds, organize banquets, and plan
out the many activities that make up their fiesta. For them the year starts
early and ends when they don their costumes and march to the sound of the
bands. Here in Peñíscola and the towns of the Costa Azahar
you will be able to witness many interesting and spectacular events. Some
of these are now described below - just click on each title to see the photographs
and read some further information.
patron saints festival click the red
arrow for photos
The most important festival starts on the night of 7 September, in honour of the town's patron saint the Virgen de la Ermitana. The greatest celebrations of these festivals take the form of 'LES DANSES', which include music, dances, activities, rites and public socialising. 'Les Danses' are composed of different groups of "dansants" (dancers), "llauradores" (farmers), "cavallets" (horses), Moors and Christians. The dancers are the most characteristic of these groups because of their archaic and regional nature, and they argue that their movements derive from the remote agricultural/war rituals which originate from the Neolithic age. The spectacular and colourful Moors and Christians are historical representations but they depict history as seen through the eyes of the people. Over the centuries these representations have incorporated different elements, and they now form an anachronistic story which mixes Arabs, Turks and allusions to the war against the French.
mercat i festa medieval
A Medieval Festival will be held in the Plaza Caudillo and Plaza de les Caseres from 31st January to 2nd December at 12.00 to 13.30 and 18.00 to 20.30 each day.
As well as there being many medieval stalls there is a plethora of entertainment including singers, jugglers, circus and duels of fighting knights. There are also displays of birds of prey and craftsmen using medieval techniques in metal, wood and textiles.
At 21.30 each day there is the ‘Mitos Nocturanl’ spectacular gunfire celebration!
belén viviente
Belén Viviente is an living enactment of the Bethelem Nativity. It can be witnessed at 6pm on the evenings of the 25th & 26th December and also on the 1st & 2nd January in the 'Parque de la Artileria' also known as the 'Plaza de Armas' in front of the Castilla del Papa Luna in the Old Quarters.
procession of the three wise men
This will be held on the 5th of January.
san antonio fiesta
San Antonio day is the 17th January although the main celebration is normally held at the end of the week when there is a procession of animals and vehicles with an open air dance.
carnival
This takes place in the middle of February. There are parades with everyone dressing up for the occasion.
procession of san antonio
On the first sunday after Easter a procession is made to to the Ermita del Santo at the top of the mountain some 6km from the Peñíscola town centre. There are parades and food there.
san isidro
San Isidro is celebrated on Spring day in the middle of May by the chasing and running of young bulls.
san pedro
This takes place on the 29th June with a procession of boats around the harbour and bays.
national holidays
Remember that the word Fiesta in Spain means holiday as well as a festival. Listed below are the main national holidays and on these occasions one can expect most shops and other establishments to be closed.
| Jan 1st | Nuevo | New Years Day |
| Jan 6th | Dia de los Reyes | Day of the Kings |
| Mar 19th | San Jose | Fathers Day |
| March/April | Viernes Santo | Good Friday |
| March/April | Dia de Pascua | Easter Sunday |
| May 1st | Dia del Trabajo | Labour Day |
| Jun 24th | San Juan | Saint John's Day |
| Mid June | Corpus Christi | Body of Christ |
| Jun 29th | San Pedro y San Pablo | Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul |
| Jul 25th | Santiago | Saint
James Day Spains patron saint |
| Aug 15th | Asuncion | Feast of the Assumption |
| Oct 12th | Dia de la Hispanidad | Columbus Day |
| Nov 1st | Todos los Santos | All Saints Day |
| Dec 6th | Dia de la Constitucion | Constitution Day |
| Dec 8th | Imaculada
Concepcion |
The
Virgin Mary's Day and also a day to honour mothers |
| Dec 25th | Navidad | Christmas Day |
