Parade of the Three Kings
Every year, with the arrival of the 5th of January, King Melchior, King Gaspar and King Balthazar find a gap in their busy schedules to come to Bocairent, ready to hand out toys, gifts and illusions to children and adults.
Sant Antoni Abad (del porquet o de baix)
The festival is celebrated at the weekend in the Ermita de Sant Antoni Abad with the traditional bonfire. On the day of the festivity, mass is held in the chapel with the blessing of the animals and the distribution of “la tallà” of Sant Antoni among the festival-goers. On the same day, the villagers go on a pilgrimage to see how at five o’clock in the afternoon, the face of the saint is illuminated by a ray of sunshine, “at five o’clock Santo Antoni con sol”
Candlelight Nights
Coinciding with the celebration of the Novena to Sant Blai, every day, the mass is offered to the intention of one of the nine Moors and Christians groups of Bocairent. Once the mass is over, the festival goers go up to the high altar of the Parish Church to sing the Gozos to the Patron Saint, holding a candle in their hands. Afterwards they will go to the Maset (the social centre of the filaes) where, after an aperitif, a dinner of festive brotherhood will be celebrated. Afterwards, the filaes will parade through the town centre.
Moors and Christians festivities (see more)
Easter
Bocairent’s Holy Week is a religious experience. In it, prayer, celebrations and religious services will serve as preparation for the feast of the Resurrection: Stations of the Cross, Offices, Holy Burial and Easter Vigil. Every three years the “Pas de l’Hort” is staged, a representation of the passion and death of Christ, organized by the neighbors themselves
Saint James
On Labour Day, the Bocairentins go on a pilgrimage to the Chapel of Sant Jaume. There, after an early morning “diana”, and the solemn mass to the Saint (former patron saint of Bocairent), the “petxina de Sant Jaume” (shell-shaped bun) is blessed and distributed. Once the mass is over, a “popular lunch” is held, accompanied by a group of musicians. The day is completed with a small fair and “cucañas” for the children.
Festival of the Santa Cruz neighborhood
Festivities in the Santa Cruz district (the most modern district in Bocairent) with religious events, attractions for the little ones, a brotherhood dinner and dancing, will complete a weekend of festivities.
Festival of the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats
A festival held during the weekend in the neighborhood of the same name in the chapel of that worship. It revolves around the figure of the patron saint of Valencians, in honour of whom various religious and popular events are held.
Sant Antoni de Pàdua (del Collao or de dalt)
Festivity celebrated during the weekend. The main focus of the festival revolves around Sant Antoni de Padua, in honour of whom the Hermitage, which bears his name, and the festival are dedicated. In addition to religious acts (mass and procession), a magnificent fair has been held since the 18th century, where you can find all kinds of handicraft products. Among the most appreciated and popular is the so-called “Puret de Sant Antoni”, a typical fairground sweet.
Sant Joan
A popular festival held in and around the Ermita de Sant Joan, it is worth noting its antiquity, as the Sant Joan district is the oldest in the town. It is celebrated during the weekend. It is a festival with a markedly religious character: The Mass and the Procession will be the central events of the festival, although to these, a great diversity of popular events must be added: reveille, parades, “cucañas and corridors”, as well as a hermand’s dinner in the neighbourhood.
Festival of the Mare de Déu d’Agost
Popular festival in the neighborhood of the same name. It is celebrated in the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Agosto and its surroundings. It coincides with the celebration in the Church of Ntra. Sra. de la Asunción, as it is the owner of the same. The religious celebrations are combined with various popular events: parades, reveille, popular games.
Dances of Saint Augustine (see more)
La Despertà
During the first weekend in September, in the early hours of Saturday morning at 4.30 am, the locals walk through the main streets of Bocairent, accompanied by the Divine Dawn escorted by music and singing the joys.
Santa Cecilia
It is held during the weekend. Festivity of the musicians, because this is the patron saint of music. It will be celebrated with different activities: parades, mass, concert, exhibitions
Saint Bàrbara
A popular festival held in and around the Ermita de Santa Bàrbara (in the Sierra Mariola). The religious and popular celebrations, as well as a “popular lunch”, will be a lovely day in the mountains.
La Purisima
Festivity dedicated to the canonical patron saint of Bocairent. In honour of the Immaculate Conception we celebrate the Novena, the Solemn Mass and the Procession, as well as several popular events
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The celebration of Christmas Eve in Bocairent preserves one of the most beautiful traditions: the assembly of Nativity scenes in the houses, as well as in the religious temples, and the singing of carols to these Nativity scenes by the youngest people, who in the afternoon-night, will go around houses and streets singing the most beautiful carols and collecting the popular “aguinaldo” (Christmas bonus). The night and day of Christmas congregate the families in a warm celebration.