Full Programme: Fiestas in honour of Sant Sebastià, Patrón de Xàbia 2025

The saying goes, in Valencian: ‘Dels sants de gener, Sant Antoni és el primer‘. The first may be indeed Sant Antoni, but the second, most important for Xàbia; is Sant Sebastià. The celebration of the patron saint of the municipality is no longer one that passes by almost unnoticed on January 20th. It has experienced a resurgence in recent years, especially with the incorporation of bull running events in the heart of the historic centre.

Perhaps the most important event of this year’s festivities is the return of the image of the saint to its niche of Carrer Mayor. Last year the fiesta commission was unable to place a replacement image in the empty space on the façade of a private house after the original mysteriously disappeared, the owner of the property having refused to allow the saint to be replaced for “ideological reasons”. However, the town hall confirmed that the owner had finally allowed the image to be placed in the niche but only during the festivities.

FIESTA PROGRAMME · SANT SEBASTIÀ, PATRÓN DE XÀBIA 2025

Organised by the Fiesta Commission Sant Sebastià and ACT Xàbia.

Friday 17th January, Saturday 18th January, Sunday 19th January 2025

19:00 · Three days of evening prayer in honour of Sant Sebastià in the church of San Bartolomé.

Monday 20th January 2025 · Feast Day of Sant Sebastià, Patrón de Xàbia

08:30 · Despertà (“wake-up parade”) through the streets of the historic centre of Xàbia by the Fiesta Commission Sant Sebastià, the main representatives of the 2025 festivities and the ACT Xàbia.

11:30 · Parade of the Fiesta Commission Sant Sebastià and Mayorales 2024 through the streets of the historic centre of Xàbia to visit the images of the saint in the niches in Carrer Mayor and Carrer San Sebastià, Patró de Xàbia (behind the correos), handing out coca maria (sponge cake) and mistela as they go. A string of firecrackers will be released at each location.

18:00 · Parade of the Fiesta Commission Sant Sebastià and Mayorales 2025 through the streets of the historic centre of Xàbia to visit the image of the saint in the niche in Carrer San Sebastià, Patró de Xàbia (behind the correos) where a string of firecrackers will be released.

19:00 · Solemn Mass in honour of Sant Sebastià in the church of San Bartolomé which will be enlivened by the parish choir.

Tuesday 21st January and Wednesday 22nd January 2025

Installation of the safety cages in Plaça de l’Església and Plaça de Baix by members of the ACT Xàbia and Fiesta Commission Sant Sebastià.

Thursday 23rd January 2025

17:30 · Release of the carretones (bull-head carts) and carretón embolado (fire cart), organised by Espectacles L’Afició.

19:00 · Bull-Running: Release of five cows, a heifer and a bull from Ganadería La Hermandad de Xàbia.

Friday 24th January 2025

18:00 · Bull-Running: Release of five cows, a heifer and a bull from Ganadería Els Coves de Pedreguer.

20:00 · Mobile Disco in the marquee on Plaza de la Constitución with music provided by DJ La Gavi, DJ Alex Femenia and DJ Kris 2 Moreno until 03:00. There will be a bar serving drinks and hamburgers.

23:00 · Bull-Running: Release of five cows and a bull from Ganadería Benavent de Quatretonda.

Saturday 25th January 2025

10:00 · Children’s Storytelling in the Casa de la Cultura in Plaça del Baix. The story of “Joana Salvallibres” will be told by Compañía L’Oracle de l’Est and entrance is free.

12:00 · Bull-Running Matinee: Release of five cows and a bull from Ganadería La Hermandad de Xàbia.

17:30 · Bull-Running: Release of five cows and a bull from Ganadería La Paloma de Xaló. At the end of the evening’s event (around 20:00), the Batucam de Xàbia will accompany everyone from the bull arena of the Plaza de la Constitución for Sant Sebastià Fest.

18:00 · Tardeo Sant Sebastià Fest in the in the marquee on Plaza de la Constitución with music provided by DJs José David, Sergio Pérez and Pablo Palas who will be playing sounds from the 1990s/2000s. At round 23:00, there will be a live music show by Orquesta Titanic until 03:00. There will be a bar serving drinks and hamburgers.

Sunday 26th January 2025

10:30 · Running of the carretónes embolado (fire carts) for all the children from Placeta del Convent to Plaza de la Iglesía. Afterwards, the release of the carretones (bull-head carts) and carretón embolado (fire cart), a giant ball and much more organised by Espectacles L’Afició.

12:00 · Bull-Running Matinee: Release of five cows and a bull from Ganadería La Paloma de Xaló.

18:30 · Bull-Running: Release of five cows, a heifer and a bull from Ganadería Benavent de Quatretonda.