Jávea begins one of its biggest late-summer celebrations today, Monday 17 August, as the fiestas in honour of the Virgen de Loreto get under way in the port area of Duanes de la Mar.
The celebrations will continue until 8 September, with more than three weeks of religious traditions, live music, dancing, sport, children’s activities and street events.
The famous Bous a la Mar return at the end of August, while the fiestas will finish with the procession of the Virgen de Loreto and the traditional aquatic firework display over the Mediterranean.
Although the main fiesta programme gathers pace later this month, the first events start today with the opening of the traditional Novena.
The Virgen de Loreto fiestas start today
The Novena in honour of the Virgen de Loreto runs from today, 17 August,
until 25 August.
There is also something different for the opening day this year, with the blessing of the historic bell from the former Aduanas chapel. The bell has recently been restored and recovered as part of the heritage of Jávea’s old maritime neighbourhood.
Tomorrow, 18 August, the town will hold the 14th Dionís Henarejos Blood Donation Marathon, while preparations are also under way for the fourth Dansà Vora Mar.
The traditional Valencian dancing takes to Calle Triana on 26 August, bringing local dancers and music into the streets of Duanes de la Mar.
Music, culture and decorated streets
The programme becomes considerably busier during the final week of August, with children’s activities, theatre, entertainment and cultural events.
These include the presentation of Xàbia, Mirades Amables, or Jávea, Friendly Views, by José F. Erades.
The streets themselves will become part of the celebrations through the eighth Decorated Streets and Balconies Competition. Organised with the Xàbia Port traders’ association, the competition encourages residents and businesses to decorate balconies, façades and streets throughout the port neighbourhood.
One of the major events arrives on Saturday 29 August with the official presentation of the 2026 Mayorales and Mayoralesas, the men and women who represent the fiestas.
The presentation takes place on Avenida Lepanto and will be followed by live music from the La Pato orchestra.
Peña La Bufa celebrates 50 years
This year’s fiestas also include an important anniversary.
Peña La Bufa celebrates its 50th anniversary on Sunday 30 August, marking half a century as one of the groups closely associated with the Virgen de Loreto celebrations.
The anniversary will bring together members, former members and residents for a special day of celebrations.
Sport also has a substantial place in the programme, with chess, table tennis, cycling, children’s fishing, pilota valenciana and running among the activities planned.
Bous a la Mar return on 31 August
For many people, the arrival of Bous a la Mar marks the beginning of the busiest part of the fiestas.
The events start on Monday 31 August and continue over several days around the port.
Bous a la Mar, literally ‘Bulls to the Sea’, is one of Jávea’s best-known traditions and holds National Tourist Interest status. Participants enter an arena beside the harbour and attempt to encourage the bulls towards the edge and into the water.
The programme also includes Bous al Carrer, or street bull-running, livestock challenges and children’s carretons, which recreate elements of the tradition without live bulls.
The Baret dels Bous also returns during the bull-running days. The temporary bar has become a popular meeting place during the fiestas and attracts plenty of people who have little intention of getting anywhere near a bull.
The big September celebrations
The final days of the fiestas focus increasingly on the religious traditions surrounding the Santísimo Cristo del Mar and the Virgen de Loreto.
On Sunday 6 September, Jávea holds the traditional floral offering.
The procession of the Santísimo Cristo del Mar follows on Monday 7 September. Later that evening comes the Albà de la Mare de Déu de Loreto, followed by El Foc de la Mar, or ‘The Fire of the Sea’, a fire and correfoc show performed by Xarxa Teatre.
The celebrations reach their biggest day on Tuesday 8 September, the feast day of the Virgen de Loreto.
Duanes de la Mar will host the solemn Mass, followed by a mascletà firecracker display and the traditional procession of the Virgen de Loreto through the port neighbourhood.
Fireworks over the Mediterranean
The final event on 8 September is one of the most recognisable sights of the Virgen de Loreto fiestas: the traditional aquatic firework display.
The setting in Jávea’s bay turns the Mediterranean into part of the spectacle, bringing more than three weeks of celebrations to a close.
For anyone living on or visiting the northern Costa Blanca over the next few weeks, there is therefore plenty of time to experience the fiestas. They may begin today, but some of their biggest events are still to come.
Bridging the Gap recap
- The Virgen de Loreto fiestas in Jávea begin today, Monday 17 August, and continue until 8 September.
- Events centre on Duanes de la Mar, Jávea’s port neighbourhood.
- The Novena runs from 17 to 25 August, with the restored historic bell of the former Aduanas chapel blessed today.
- The Dansà Vora Mar takes place on 26 August in Calle Triana.
- The Mayorales and Mayoralesas will be presented on 29 August, followed by the La Pato orchestra.
- Peña La Bufa celebrates its 50th anniversary on 30 August.
- Bous a la Mar begin on 31 August.
- The floral offering takes place on 6 September, with the Santísimo Cristo del Mar procession and El Foc de la Mar following on 7 September.
- The main feast day is 8 September, ending with the Virgen de Loreto procession and the traditional aquatic firework display.
