If the Fogueres de Sant Joan de Xàbia opens up the summer season, the celebrations honouring Mare de Déu de Loreto – often known as the “port fiesta” – can be considered the opposite book-end, bring summer to an end in a spectacular fashion.
THURSDAY 15th AUGUST – FRIDAY 23rd AUGUST
20:30 – NOVENA en honour of Mare de Déu de Loreto in the port church.
TUESDAY 20th AUGUST
09:30-13:30 / 17:00-20:30 – XII BLOOD DONATION DRIVE Dionís Henarejos.
The Comunidad Valenciana Transfusion Centre will be setting up in the headquarters of the Fiesta Commission in Calle Severo Ochoa.
Note: Any person, regardless of nationality, who lived continuously in the UK for a minimum of one year between 1980 and 1996 will not be able to donate blood due to the risk of transmitting mad cow disease.
FRIDAY 23rd AUGUST
20:00 – MASS in honour of those of the parish who have passed and the solemn veneration of the image of the patron saint, Mare de Déu de Loreto. The Fiesta Commission will make a flower offering to presidents and members of the Commission who have passed.
21:30 – 3rd edition BEER TASTING Mare de Déu de Loreto. Limited to 65 people. Price: 15 euros. Registration can be between Wednesday 21st August and Thursday 22nd August at the headquarters of the Fiesta Commission from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.
SATURDAY 24th AUGUST · Presentación de las Fiestas 2024
11:00 – 17th edition of Peña La U.C.A. Youth Fishing Competition in the Port de Xàbia. Open to children up to age of 12, registration will open at 10.00am on the same day and each participant should bring their own fishing equipment.
22:30 – PRESENTATION OF THE FIESTAS 2024. Presentation of the men and women who will be main representatives of this year’s fiestas in Avenida Lepanto. Afterwards, live music from MONTECARLO.
SUNDAY 25th AUGUST
10:00 – 41st edition of the Peña La Bufa Popular Road Race. Registration can be made on the same day at Cala Blanca, the start point of the race.
10:00 – 32nd edition of the Chess Championship Mare de Déu de Loreto (34th edition of the Open Vila de Xàbia), organised by Club d’Escacs Xàbia.
11:00 – Valencian Pilota: Palma. A match between XÀBIA and ORBA in Calle Virgen de Loreto.
12:30 – Parade of the Fiesta Commission and the Peñas Marineras through the streets of the port zone. At the end, Penyeta Roja invites all participants for sangria in Paseo Jaime I.
17:00 – Valencian Pilota: Raspall. 32nd edition of the championship between Peñas Marineras in Calle Virgen de Loreto.
18:30 – Valencian Pilota: Raspall. A match between XÀBIA and ELS POBLETS in Calle Virgen de Loreto.
19:30 – Prize giving for the 31st edition of the Children’s Painting Competition in honour of Dionis Henarejos Crespo in Avenida Lepanto. Afterwards, there will be a children’s show FESTIVAL KIDS for all the family.
22:00 – COMEDY NIGHT in Avenida Lepanto. The Fiesta Commission Theatre Group TOT RIST will perform their own adaption of the enjoyable farce La Caiguda del Balcó which was written by Francesc Comes Martínez in 1924 and which has now been recovered by the commission. There will be a bar service with bocadillos.
MONDAY 26th AUGUST
22:00 – Sensational MUSICAL SHOW by the Fiesta Commission in Avenida Lepanto, who will be performing a set of well-known music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. There will be a bar service.
TUESDAY 27th AUGUST
19:30 – Traditional Dancing Workshop in the marquee in Calle Severo Ochoa, open to all to learn and participate in the 2nd edition of Dànsa Cora Mar. With the Grup de Danses del Portitxol.
22:00 – Community Dinner in Calle Doctor Fleming. The Fiesta Commission will offer an aperitif, a drink and dessert. There will be a grand raffle and, afterwards, dancing to SWEET SOULZ and then disco until 03:00.
During the day, the neighbours of Duanes de la Mar will conclude the decoration of their balconies, streets and shop windows for the fiestas. The business association XÀBIA PORT and the FIESTA COMMISSION will be awarding prizes for the best decorated. The terms and conditions have been published in the Fiesta Book 2024 and on the social media of the association and the commission.
WEDNESDAY 28th AUGUST
19:30 – Traditional Dancing Workshop in the Calle Triana, open to all to learn and participate in the 2nd edition of Dànsa Cora Mar. With the Grup de Danses del Portitxol.
21:00 – 9th edition WINE TASTING Mare de Déu de Loreto with wines from Bodgea VOLVER de Alicante, directed by sommelier Raul Caselles from Bodega Miguel and Miguel Ángel Roselló of Miraltall Carns i Formatges presenting a selection of the best cheeses. Limited to 60 people. Price: 25 euros. Registration will be on Tuesday 27th August at the headquarters of the Fiesta Commission from 7.00pm to 8.00pm.
22:00 – Community Dinner in Grupo Bartolomé Ros. The Fiesta Commission will offer an aperitif, a drink and dessert. Afterwards, dancing to SWEET SOULZ until 01:00.
THURSDAY 29th AUGUST
20:00 –II DANSÀ VORA MAR in the Calle Triana with the drums and dulzainas of Grup de Danses del Portitxol.
22:00 – Community Dinner in Paseo Pintor Joaquín Sorolla. The Fiesta Commission will offer an aperitif, a drink and dessert. Afterwards, dancing to LA METRO until 03:00.
FRIDAY 30th AUGUST
12:00 – BOUS A LA MAR with bulls from Ranch LA PALOMA and the inauguration of the world-famous BARET DELS BOUS for the 2024 season.
16:30 – 3rd edition of Tardeo Callejero in Calle Virgen de Loreto with DJs, table football tournament, and more surprises. There will be a bar service. Until 21:00.
18:00 – Simultaneous Chess in Calle Severo Ochoa with the participation of Daniel García Román.
17:45 – Carretons a La Mar – bull head carts – in the bull arena for the younger bull runners. There will be a bar service. Parents are asked for their collaboration to keep a watch on their children, especially if they intend to jump into the sea at any point.
19:00 – BOUS A LA MAR with bulls from Ranch EL CALÍ.
22:30 – Discomóvil Bit Sound organised by Peñas Les Marineres and La Mamera in Paseo Jaume I until 04:00.
23:30 – BOUS AL CARRER / Recortadores Exhibition with the acrobatics of the best trimmers of the region, followed by the release of two cows from Ranch ELS COVES.
SATURDAY 31st AUGUST
09:30 – 34th edition of the OPEN TABLE TENNIS TOURNAMENT Mare de Déu de Loreto organised by the Club Tennis Xàbia. Registration to participants can be made on the same day at the Palau Municipal d’Esports.
12:00 – BOUS A LA MAR with bulls from Ranch BENAVENT.
15:00 – 2nd TARDEO organised by Penyeta Roja in Paseo Jaime I. From 16:30, there will be a disco until 21:00. There will be a bar service and German sausages.
17:00 – 42nd edition of the Peña La Bufa Cycling Trophy.
19:00 – BOUS A LA MAR with bulls from Ranch LA HERMANDAD.
23:30 – Live music with Orquesta LA PATO in Paseo Pintor Joaquín Sorolla, followed by a disco until 04:30.
SUNDAY 1st SEPTEMBER · Día de los Niños y Niñas
09:30 – Children’s Wake-Up – Despertà – with the youngest members of the community for whom this special day is dedicated, starting in Avenida Jaime I. Each child should bring their own instrument to make a noise during the procession. However, the Fiesta Commission will provide an instrument to those who don’t have one.
10:00 – Hot chocolate organised by the Fiesta Commission and prepared and distributed by the residents of Calle Doctor Fleming in Paseo Jaime I. There will be traditional games in Calle Triana organised by the Fiesta Commission with the collaboration of the residents of the road. In addition, there will be the traditional meringue fight in the Paseo Joaquín Sorolla organised by the Fiesta Commission, followed by the water fiesta (to wash it all off) in collaboration with Excavaciones Mayte.
11:00 – Opening of the Children’s Play Zone, Water Games and Foam Party in Avenida Jaime I.
13:00 – Inflatable Bulls and Carretons a La Mar – bull head carts – in Calle Triana for the younger bull runners.
14:00 – Paella, drinks and ice creams for all the children offered by Celda SL and Supermercados SUMA in Calle Severo Ochoa.
19:30 – GRAND FLOAT PARADE with the participation of the Mayorales and Mayoralesas who have represented the fiesta throughout the years, musical groups and fun satirical offerings from the Peñas Marineras. The parade will start at the Lonja in the Port de Xàbia and will pass along Paseo Presidente Adolfo Suárez, Calle Santísmo Cristo del Mar, Avenida Lepanto, Calle Antoni Llidó, Calle Doctor Fleming, Avenida Jaime I and Plaza President Adolfo Suárez.
23:00 – LAUGHS NEXT TO THE SEA · a night of stand-up comedy in Paseo Pintor Joaquín Sorolla with comedians Manu Badenes and Pepa Cases. Local comedian Paquita Ros will open the evening of laughter.
MONDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER
11:30 – Travelling Planetarium for the children in Calle Severo Ochoa. Discover the universe and our solar system in a fun and enjoyable way.
12:00 – BOUS A LA MAR with bulls from Ranch ELS COVES.
17:00 – Travelling Planetarium for the children in Calle Severo Ochoa. Discover the universe and our solar system in a fun and enjoyable way. Until 19:30.
19:00 – BOUS A LA MAR with bulls from Ranch BENAVENT.
23:30 – BOUS AL CARRER / First Night of the 6th DESAFÍO EDU MONFORT GASENT. The ranches of LA PALOMA and EL CALÍ will face off with three cows and a bull each.
TUESDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER · Día de las Peñas Marineras
10:00 – Communal Mid-Morning Snacks with all the Peñas Marineres.
11:30 – Fun procession with the Peñas Marineres to the bull arena for a new session of Bous a la Mar and Baret dels Bous.
12:00 – BOUS A LA MAR with animals from Ranch LA HERMANDAD.
15:00 – Communal Lunch for all Peñas Marineres with charanga and discomóvil.
19:00 – BOUS A LA MAR with animals from Ranch LA PALOMA.
19:00 – Children’s Show in the marquee in Calle Severo Ochoa until 20:30.
23:30 – BOUS AL CARRER / Second Night of the 6th DESAFÍO EDU MONFORT GASENT. The ranches of ELS COVES and BENAVENT will face off with two cows and a bull each. Afterwards, there will be the prize giving for the best ranches of this sixth edition.
WEDNESDAY 4th SEPTEMBER
10:00 – 11th edition of the ‘Gran Cagada’ organised by Peña La Bufa in the bull arena with a traditional brunch for all participants. The winner will be awarded their prize during the evening session of the bulls in the Baret dels Bous.
12:00 – BOUS A LA MAR with animals from Ranch EL CALÍ.
16:30 – I Tardeo Peña L’Estirà in Paseo Jaime I until 20:30.
19:00 – BOUS A LA MAR with animals from Ranch ELS COVES. Afterwards, there will be a grand party to mark the closure of the legendary BARET DE BOUS A LA MAR for the end of the season.
22:00 – Disco Closing Bull’s Party organised by Peña El Tremelo in Paseo Pintor Joaquín Sorolla until 03:00.
THURSDAY 5th SEPTEMBER
09:30 – Communal Brunch in the marquee in Calle Severo Ochoa.
11:30 – Enjoyable GRAND PRIX in Calle Doctor Fleming for all the Pñas Marineras and friends in general who will have to demonstrate their skills by overcoming daring challenges.
13:00 – Animation to the rhythm of the Xaranga Me’n Fot de Ondara courtesy of the Mayorales 2024 until 18:00.
13:30 – Paella Competition in Calle Doctor Fleming. The best paella will receive a prize of 100 euros. The Fiesta Commission invites all the penyes xabieres, filaes and neighbours to participate and will provide the rice. The paellas need to be ready by 15:00. Registration to participate should be made by Tuesday 3rd September at the Baret dels Bous.
21:00 – NOCHE DE RONDA · Serenading of the Mayoralesas and Mayorales, starting in the port church. It will finish with complementary wine offered by the Mayorales 2024 and the Fiesta Commission in Calle Severo Ochoa. The party will continue until 02:00.
FRIDAY 6th SEPTEMBER · Día de Nuestros Mayores
10:30 – Over 50s Brisca Tournament in the casal of Peña La Bufa (Calle Doctor Fleming).
11:00 – Traditional visit by the Mayorales 2023 and the Fiesta Commission to the Asilo Hospital Hermanos Cholbi. Afterwards, there will be a procession to the historic centre to give out coca maría and mistala and visit the Centro de Día Santa María de Betania. During this act, there will be an offering of flowers to the patron saint in her niche in Calle Loreto.
12:30 – Peña La Bufa invites all our senior citizens for an aperitif at their casal.
13:00 – Ringing of the Church Bells to announce the start of the religious celebrations in honour of the patron saint.
13:00 – I Traditional Alioli Competition organised by Peña El Tremoló in Calle Virgen de Loreto. There will be a prize of 50 euros for the best and a plate of paella will be offered to all participants. Registration to participate can be made with any member of the peña.
18:00 – Peña la Bufa will visit the Asilo Hospital Hermanos Cholbi.
19:30 – FLOWER OFFERING TO MARE DE DÉU DE LORETO. The Fiesta Commission invites all the Mayorales who have represented the fiesta to participante, as well as the peñas, streets, associations, local fiesta commissions, residents of Aduanas and all of Xàbia.
23:00 – Live music with Orquesta ÓXIDO in Paseo Pintor Joaquín Sorolla, followed by a disco until 04:00.
SATURDAY 7th SEPTEMBER · Día del Santísimo Cristo del Mar
09:00 – Musical procession Pilatrix through the streets of the port, organised by Peñas Pili La Banyà and Liatrix.
09:00 – Ringing of the Church Bells to mark the day of celebration honouring Santísimo Cristo del Mar.
12:30 – Procession through the streets of the port by the Mayoralesas, Mayorales and the Fiesta Commision to Calle Santísimo Cristo del Mar. During the procession, offerings will be made to the patron saints in their respective niches.
13:00 – FESTA DE CARRER in Calle Santísimo Cristo del Mar organised by Peñas Pili La Banyà and Liatrix. During the act, the business association XÀBIA PORT will award the prizes for the winners of the decorations competition for this year.
14:00 – FIRECRACKERS in honour of Santísimo Cristo del Mar in Paseo Jaime I.
18:30 – Procession by the Fiesta Commission to visit the decorated streets and accompany the Mayoralesas and Mayorales to the port church.
19:00 – Celebration of Mass in honour of Santísimo Cristo del Mar. The mass will be sung by the parish choir. Afterwards, there will be the PROCESSION OF SANTÍSIMO CRISTO DEL MAR through the streets of the port.
22:30 – Show LA FUERZA DEL DESTINO, a tribute to the legendary band Mecano in Paseo Pintor Joaquín Sorolla.
23:30 – Discomóvil organised by Peña La U.C.A. in Calle Doctor Fleming until 05:00.
00:00 – ALBÀ DE LA MARE DE DÉU DE LORETO. The firing of firework bouquets from different points in the port lighting up the sky at the beginning of the big day of our Patron Saint. Followed by EL FOC DE LA MAR · CORREFOCS performed by the XARXA TEATRE recalling our most deeply rooted Mediterranean roots around fire, the sea; the music of dulzaina and drum, dance and an aesthetic inspired by the artist Joan Mirò. It will start in Avenida Lepanto and move along Calle Virgen del Loreto, Calle Toni Llidó and Calle Doctor Fleming to finish in Avenida Jaime I.
SUNDAY 8th SEPTEMBER · Día de la Virgen de Loreto
08:00 – Wake-Up Parade – despertà – through the streets of the port by the Fiesta Commission.
09:00 – Ringing of the Church Bells to mark the day of celebration in honour of the patron saint, the Virgen de Loreto.
11:00 – Procession by the Town Band and Fiesta Commission to collect the Mayorales 2023 and accompany them to the port church.
12:00 – Celebration of a SOLEMN MASS in honour of the patron Mare de Déu de Loreto attended by the municipal authorities, the Fishermen’s Brotherhood, representatives of other fiestas, the Mayorales 2022, the Fiesta Commission and the people of Xàbia. The mass will be sung by the parish choir. After mass, there will be a procession by all the attendees to watch the MASCLETÀ in Avenida Jaime I.
19:00 – Procession by the Fiesta Commission and the Town Band to visit the decorated streets and accompany the Mayoralesas and Mayorales to the port church.
20:00 – Solemn PROCESSION with the image of LA MARE DE DÉU DE LORETO through the streets of the port.
23:00 – Music with Orquesta SCREAM in Paseo Pintor Joaquín Sorolla.
00:30 – Sensational AQUATIC FIREWORK DISPLAY which will bring the 125th anniversary of the fiestas in honor of la Mare de Déu de Loreto to a close. Afterwards, the music and dancing will continue until 03:00.
The mistreatment of the animals during the celebration of the acts of Bous a la Mar is totally prohibited, as is the presence of the under 16s and people under the influence of alcohol in the bull arena. In order to ensure compliance, there will be stewards from the Fiesta Commission and the organisation of the bulls present in the arena.
All floral works are carried out by Peña Liatrix.
For the community dinners, each person should bring along their own food and the Fiesta Commision will provide an aperitif, a drink and a dessert.
The Fiesta Commission reserves the right to change the fiesta programme and the acts when it is necessary to do so.
