The Mare de Déu de Loreto is a Javea festival mainly taking place in the Javea port, which runs from the last week in August, all the way to the first week in September in Javea. Each day, there are different events that you can attend and join in.
Mare de Déu de Loreto which translates to “Our Lady of Loreto” in English, celebrates in honour of the patron saint of the sea. The Festivities of Loreto in Xàbia originated in 1850 when an Italian ship carrying a Virgin of Loreto statue ran aground at Cap Prim. Local sailors rescued the statue and bell, adopting the Virgin as their patron saint.
Here are some of the common traditional events to take part in:
Bous a la mar: A traditional event where participants jump into the sea to escape a charging bull or heifers.
Baret: A traditional spot to enjoy the festive atmosphere and fresh, locally-caught seafood caught from the fish market on the same day.
Discomobil: Also called a mobile disco, these are pop-up street parties with bars and local DJs playing music until the early hours.
Parades: Flower offerings, displays, and musical performances throughout the festival.
Religious ceremonies: honouring the Virgin of Loreto on September 8th, the final day.
Mare de Deu de Loreto itinerary
I’ve added an entire itinerary below based on last year’s and will reflect it with this year’s when dates and timings get announced.
Day 1
- 20:00: Mass and flowers offered for the deceased and ‘besamanos’ to the patron saint, Mare de Déu de Loreto.
- 21:30: Beer tasting – limited to 65 people.
Day 2
- 22:00: Communal Dinner at Paseo Pinto Joaquin Sorolla.
Day 3
- 11:00: Children’s Fishing Contest at the Port marina (bring your own fishing rod)
- 17:00: Cycle race.
- 23:00: Presentation of the 2024 Festivities. Presentation of Mayoralesas and Mayorales, followed by music and dancing.
Day 4
- 10:00: 40th PEÑA LA BUFA Race. Registration at Cala Blanca. Race ends at the Port.
- 11:00: Valencian Pilota: Palma (Calle Virgen de Loreto).
- 12:30: Parade of Comissió de Festes and Peñas Marineras through Aduanas streets, ending with “sangría a gogó” at Paseo Jaime I.
- 17:00: Valencian Pilota: Raspall (Calle Virgen de Loreto).
- 17:30: Torneo Majo-Pong.
- 18:30: Valencian Pilota: Raspall (Calle Virgen de Loreto).
- 19:30: Prizes for the 30th Quick Painting Contest (The Fish Market). Registration via Party Book and Fiesta Facebook Page.
- 22:00: Comedy Night with “El Soldat de Napoles” by TOT RIST.
Day 5
- 22:00: Musical show by Comissió de Festes at Avedina Lepanto featuring music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
Day 6
- 20:00: Traditional Dancing with Grup de Danses del Portitxol.
- 22:00: Community Dinner at Calle Doctor Fleming, followed by dancing to SWEET SOULZ until 03:00.
Day 7
- 21:00: 8th edition Wine Tasting event. Cost: €25 (register on 29th August).
- 22:00: Community Dinner at Grupo Bartolome Ros, followed by dancing to LA TRAMPA.
Day 8
- 12:00: Bous a la Mar.
- 15:00: 1st Tardeo with music by DJs JUAN HDZ and LA GAVI from 16:30 onwards.
- 19:00: Bous a la Mar.
- 23:30: DISCOMOVIL until 03:30.
- 23:30: Bous al Carrer.
Day 9
- 12:00: Bous a la Mar.
- 16:30: 2nd Tardeo in Calle Virgen de Loreto with DJs and a table football tournament.
- 18:00: Simultaneous Chess.
- 19:00: Bous a la Mar.
- 23:30: Discomovil until 04:00.
- 23:30: Bous al Carrer.
Day 10
- 09:00: Children’s “Despertà” Parade with young musicians of l’Escola Xirimitab’s de Xàbia. Bring your own instrument or get one from Comissió de Festes.
- 09:30: 33rd Open Table Tennis Competition.
- 10:00: Hot Chocolate by the Fiesta Commission at Paseo Jamie I, followed by traditional games, meringue fight, and water fiesta.
- 11:00: Children’s Play Zone and “Aquajocs” (Water Games) at Paseo Jaime I.
- 12:00: Traditional Greasy Pole in the Bull Arena with Peña La Bufa.
- 13:00: “Carretons A La Mar” – Bull Head Carts in the Bull Arena for kids.
- 14:00: Paella, soft drinks, and ice cream for children by CELDA SL and Supermarkets Coaliment at Calle Severo Ochoa.
- 19:30: Float Parade – starting from the Port and continuing through various streets.
- 00:00: “Correfoc” with ‘El Foc del Mar’ show, followed by a Mobile Disco until 04:00.
Day 11
- 10:00: 31st Chess Championship Mare de Deu de Loreto.
- 10:00: Communal Mid-Morning Snacks.
- 11:30: Parade of “peñas marineras” to the bull arena in the harbor.
- 12:00: Bous A La Mar.
- 15:00: Communal Lunch for all “peñas marineras.”
- 19:00: Bous A La Mar.
- 19:00: Children’s Magic Show at Calle Severo Ochoa with ice creams.
- 00:00: Bous al Carrer followed by music until 03:30.
Day 12
- 11:30: Travelling Planetarium for children at Calle Severo Ochoa.
- 12:00: “Bous A La Mar.”
- 16:00: 1st Human Table Football Tournament.
- 19:00: “Bous A La Mar.”
- 20:00: Youth band concert at Paseo Pintor Joaquin Sorolla.
- 23:30: Bous al Carrer.
- 00:00: Fancy Dress Competition and Parade through the streets of Duanes de la Mar.
Day 13
- 10:00: Peña La Bufa in the bull arena with snacks.
- 12:00: Bous A La Mar.
- 19:00: Bous A La Mar, followed by the closure of Baret de Bous a la Mar.
- 23:00: Discomobile Closing Bull’s Party at Paseo Pintor Joaquin Sorolla until 03:30.
Day 14
- 10:30: Brisca Card Contest for over 50s at Peña La Bufa house.
- 11:00: Visit to Hermanos Cholbi Nursing Home by Mayorales 2024 & Fiesta Commission, followed by a parade to Santa María de Betania Day Centre.
- 12:30: Aperitif by Peña La Bufa for Senior Citizens.
- 13:00: Bell Ringing to start religious celebrations.
- 18:00: Visit to Asilo Hermanos Cholbi Hospital by Peña La Bufa.
- 19:30: Floral Offering to La Mare de Deu de Loreto. All are invited.
- 23:30: Noche de Ronda – Musical Tour starting at the Port Church, finishing at Calle Severe Ochoa.
Day 15
- 09:00: Wake Up Musical parade. Church bells ringing.
- 12:00: Parade with Mayoralesas, Mayorales, and Comissió de Festes to Santísimo Cristo del Mar.
- 13:00: Street Fiesta at Santísimo Cristo del Mar.
- 18:30: Parade with Musical Band and Comissió de Festes to Parish Church.
- 19:00: Eucharist in honour of Santísimo Cristo del Mar. Procession follows.
- 23:30: Live music.
- 00:00: “Alba de la Mare de Deu de Loreto” – fireworks in the port, followed by a Mobile Disco until 05:00.
