FESTIVITIES OF ALBORAYA
Patron Saint Festivities
The patron saint festivities of Alboraya, the original city of horchata, take place from the 4 to the 14 of July. There is a great number of activities of all kinds dedicated to adults and the elderly.
The events during these festivities comprise the blessing of objects and pets, the moors and christians festivity, exhibitions and tradicional dances such as sevillanas and zumba, and the share-out of horchata (tiger nut or almond milk drink) for the people in the town. Also, there is a funfair for the younger.
Date: 4-14 July.
La Milagrosa Festivity
There is a festivity to honour Virgen de la Milagrosa, which was introduced by the nuns from the Order of San Vicente de Paúl, when they founded the old religious school Hijas de la Caridad. The people of the town carry out a simple parade and a mass to honour the Virgin. At the end of the day there is a firework show and the neighbours gather to have dinner together at Carrer Mialgrosa.
Date: August.
Santa Cecilia Festivity
Most of the events held for Santa Cecilia festivity are usually hosted at the Municipal Auditorium, at Ciudad del Deporte or at the church. Given that Santa Cecilia is the patron saint of the music, the activities are mainly musical.
The main activities include the introduction of new music student into musical bands, the proclamation of a woman as muse of the music and several homages to old musicians. The different music bands that take part in this celebration performing are 5, including an orchestra, a choir, and a dance group.
Fecha: November-December.
Fallas Festivity
Similarly to the festivity in Valenia, Alboraya also celebrate a fallas festivity in March. Beside the activities that the different local associations and fraternities organize on their own, there are public events and the city council give prizes for the best fallas, monumental figures full of colour representing a critical or satirical scene.
The main events are parades, the exhibition of the fallas and the cremà (the burning) of the fallas.
Regarding the different commissions and associations taking part in these events, here are some of the most famous: Calvet, Platja Patacona-Camí de Vera, del Poble, Miracle, Nou i Cabanyal, Palmaret, Rei en Jaume y Port Saplaya.
Fecha: March.
Easter Week
Easter Week in Alboraya has a long tradition, being the most significant in the area of Horta Nord. The different religious fraternities are in charge to organize activities to carry out during Easter Week. The festivities start with the opening speech usually the week before and the most representative events take place on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Some of these events are processions and pilgrimages in town. The festivity ends on Easter Sunday.
Fecha: Spring.
Els Peixets Festivity
The festivity of Els Peixets is long-tradition one in Alboraya on White Monday and mainly celebrated at the Hermitage of Els Peixets.
This festivity was inspired by the so-called miracle of the fishes. According to the story, a vagabond converted to Islam from Almàssera asked for communion and the local priest did so, falling the holy wafer into the water at the ravine of Carraixet. The people of the town gather to take them out of the water and three fishes gave them to the priest. After this, the hermitage was built by that place. The fishes became the symbol in the coat of arms of the two towns recalling that miracle.
Fecha: Whit Monday.
Patacona Festivity
By the sea in the south of Alboraya and very close to La Malvarrosa, there is a small urban ensemble, Patacona, which offers wide beaches. Patacona has their own festivities too on the third week of September.
There is a series of activities for children such as an air mattress park, cultural games or outdoor cinema. Also, there are activities for all the people in this area such as a big bicycle ride through the vegetable gardens and orchards area, sport events such as table tennis or table football, many food events, including the outdoor cooking of paella, fartons and horchata for everyone.
Another significant festivity in Patacona is the bonfires of San Juan (23 June at night) along with concerts and horse exhibitions.
Date: third week of September.
Virgen del Carmen de Saplaya Festivity
This festivity in Saplaya is celebrated during the third week of July to honour the patron saint of the sailors, Virgen del Carmen.
During this week there is a great variety of activities and events held in the residential area of Saplaya. Among these events there are children activities such as air mattresses, concerts and theatre plays. For older people there is an outdoor ball, giant paellas eating, and religious acts such as mass and processions.
Traditionally, a contest of sand figures on the beach and the so-called Bibliopatja, promoting the reading among the people at the beach. Here, the bonfires of San Juan (23 June at night) on the beach are a significant event too along with concerts and horse exhibitions.
Date: third week of July.
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