Traditional Festivals

PATRON SAINT’S FESTIVAL IN HONOUR OF THE MARE DE DÉU DE L'ERMITANA
Declared as being of National Tourist Interest, the big festival dedicated to the Mare de Déu de l'Ermitana starts on 7th September and its duration varies. The characteristic events are the traditional farmers’ dances (danses de llauradores), dancers (dansants), gypsies (gitanetes), pilgrims and little horses (peregrines i cavallets) and the dance-battle of the Moors and Christians (dansa-batalla de moros i cristians), that takes place on 8th and 9th September at the Plaça d'Armes, the heifers on the beach and during the early morning, the Moors and Christians parades and the fireworks. This festival starts on 7th September.

SANT ROC FESTIVITY
On 16th August, in San Roc Square there is a floral offering and a traditional passacaglia in honour of Peñíscola’s patron saint.

SAINT ANTONI ABAD
On 17th January there is the festivity of Saint Antoni Abad, where a bonfire is lit and typical products are roasted, and there is a popular open-air dance. On the Saint’s Day there is a mass and a small procession with carts where animals are blessed. Blessed sweet rolls are given to the people, too.

CARNIVAL TIME
In the middle of February and for a weekend there are parades and fancy-dress balls. The last day hot chocolate is also served for all the children, and the “Sardine’s funeral” takes place.

HOLY WEEK
In March or April, coinciding with Easter, there are several activities that take place in Peñíscola. The main events are those of a religous nature, as for instace the processions on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. There are also exhibitions in Pope Luna’s castle, free activities for children in different parts of the city and guitar concerts in the Castle.

FALLAS
Coinciding with the days before the holiday of 1st May, there is the popular festival of the Fallas, with the placing (plantà) of the monument, passacaglias, masses, bangers shows (mascletaes) and the burning (cremà) signaling the end of the festival.

SAINT ANTONI’S PROCESSION
It is a popular and traditional festivity that takes place the first Sunday following Easter Sunday. There is a procession to the Saint’s chapel, located some 6 km away from the city, on top of a mountain. Subsequently in the chapel there is a mass in honour of the Saint, followed by a ball and a meal.

SAINT ISIDRE’S FESTIVITY
On 15th May, to mark the festivity in honour of Saint Isidre, there are popular events such as open-air dances and heifer bullfights that take place in the square with the same name as the Saint, and other activities such as pulling and dragging horses.

SAINT JOAN’S FESTIVITY
On 23rd May on the South Beach there is the celebration of Saint Joan’s night (midsummer night), during which there are habaneras concerts, bonfires and fireworks to celebrate the most magical night of the year.

SAINT PERE’S FESTIVITY
Peñíscola honours Saint Pere due to its tradition related to sea. On that occasion, on 29th June there is a fishing boats procession and a heifer bullfight.

SAINT CRISTÒFOL’S FESTIVITY
At the end of June the day devoted to drivers takes place and there is the blessing of vehicles.