Guardamar Information

Fiestas are official holidays in Spain, which often coincide with religious festivals. There are also many fiestas all over Spain for local patron saints or the Virgin Mary, and they can last for several days.

Although not all fiestas are celebrated with parades, most of them include, for example, religious processions, bullfights, street carnivals, and dancing etc. Spain is very well known for these fiestas and colourful street parades, and most of them are well worth seeing.

Local Fiestas in Guardamar
Listed below are the local fiestas in Guardamar Del Segura. Don't forget that a local fiesta means that everything will probably be shut! However, if you need some shopping etc. urgently, you may be able to travel to another town, out of the immediate area, where this particular fiesta is not celebrated!

National Fiestas
Below is a list of the National Fiestas in Spain (which are also the national holidays in Spain), including the English translation or UK equivalent. Remember that, unlike the UK, where it has become the norm to open shops etc on bank holidays the same as any other day, in Spain a National Fiesta is time for the whole nation to take the day off, including shops, banks and most cafes and bars. This is even the same if the National Fiestas falls in the middle of the week (which, more often than not they do). It's also worth knowing that where fiestas fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays, or when two fiestas fall in the same week separated by 1 day, some businesses choose to take an extra day as a holiday i.e. the Monday or Friday to join them to the weekend or the middle day to link two fiestas together - this is called a 'puente', meaning a bridge day.

Holidays and Fiestas in Guardamar

January 1st 2009 (January 1st 2010)
New Years Day
This is a National holiday and a day of quiet recovery from the night before.

January 5th 2009 (January 5th 2010)
Night before epiphany
In Spain, the year begins with the Christmas celebration. Although the 25th of December is celebrated, traditionally, presents aren't exchanged until the 12th night (the night of the 5th of January). This is known as Epifanía del señor (epiphany) or Reyes Magos (the three wise men or three Kings: Melchor, Casper and Balthazar).

In the story of the birth of Christ, three wise men bought gifts for baby Jesus, and this is why the Spanish use this time to exchange gifts in celebration of this event. There is a '3 Kings parade' on the evening of the 5th of January starting at 19:00, including the three wise men, normally on camels or horses, and they throw sweets out to the children that line the streets. The parade normally ends at the church opposite the town hall where the three wise men hand out gifts to all of the children. Traditionally Spanish children polish their shoes and leave them outside the door to show the three wise men that they have been good, and then the three wise men will leave them presents (in a similar way to Santa leaving gifts under the Christmas tree). In the morning, the presents are waiting for all of the good boys and girls, and their polished shoes are full of sweets..

January 6th 2009 (6th of January 2010)
Epiphany
The 6th of January is a national fiesta and is sometimes referred to, by the British, as 'the Spanish Christmas day'.

February 21st to 24th 2009 (date to be advised for 2010)
Carnival in Guardamar
The Guardamar carnaval is a colourful celebration full of fun and high spirits. Traditionally the Spanish February carnivals are a chance to throw off the winter blues as spring fast approaches. It’s an occasion for much pleasure and enjoyment before the more serious and reflective season of Lent begins.

On Saturday the 21st of February the main carnival parade begins at 20:00 from Plaza Jaume II. The vibrant carnival procession then makes its way down Avanida País Valenciano (the main high street), Calle Mayor and terminates at Plaza Labradores.

On Monday the 23rd of February at 16:30 it’s the children turn to get in the carnival mood as they being their fancy dress carnival parade.

March 19th 2009 (March 19th 2010)
Father’s Day / Día de San José
This is a national fiesta, and always happens on the 19th of March, irregardless of the day of the week. There are no big parades in Guardamar, but they celebrate with a day off!

April 9th to 13th 2009 (April 1st to 5th 2010)
Easter celebrations
As most people will know, the dates when Easter is celebrated varies from year to year, but in Spain they are the same as the UK.  In 2009, the celebrations begin on the 9th of April and the last one is the 13th of April.

Easter sees a selection of processions including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, which depict the stories of the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, and subsequent resurrection. The Easter parades are an important tradition in Spanish life and the majority of the local people are involved in one way or another. Band music plays a significant part of the parades and sets the mood of the story that is being told. Children and adults take great pride in representing their band by playing in the street carnivals, and the music is of a high standard.

Holy week 2009 in Guardamar follows the following itinerary. The 2010 schedule will be similar but exact details will be updated near to the time.

April 6th 2009 (March 29th 2010)
21:00 - Procession and the re-enactment of the ‘Arrest of our Lord’. Route – departs from the Church along Vicente Ramos, Sant Eugeni, Plaza dels Pescadors, Sant Eugeni, Ausiàs March, Mar, Sant Jaume, Plaza d’Abastos, Eng. Mira and back to the Church.

April 7th 2009 (March 30th 2010)
21:00 - Procession and the re-enactment of ‘Pilate washing his hands’. The re-enactment takes place at the Plaza Baluart at approximately 22:30. Route – departs from the Church, along Eng. Mira, Carrer Rosari and Plaza del Rosari, Castell, Baluart de la Pòlvora, Castell, Rosari, Gratitud, Sant Emigdi, Plaza d’Abastos, Eng. Mira and returns to the Church.

April 8th 2009 (March 31st 2010)
20:00 – The statue of ‘Virgen de los Dolores’ (‘Our Lady of Sorrows’) is brought to the church along Sant Pere and Eng. Mira.
20:30 - The statue of ‘Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Caída’ is brought to the church along Miguel Hernández and Eng. Mira.
22:00 - Procession of the statues ‘Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Caída’, ‘Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno’ and ‘Virgin de los Dolores’(Lady of sorrows). Route – departs from the church along Eng. Mira, Luis Rivera, Migdia, Vicente Ramos and back to the church.

April 9th 2009 (April 1st 2010)
18:00 - Holy Mass at the church on the main square.
20:00 - Solemn Mass and Eucharist to celebrate the ‘Lords supper’
21:30 - The statue of ‘Nuestro Señor del Monte’(‘Our Lord of Mount Calvary’) arrives at the church on the main square. It is brought along Miguel Hernandez and Ing. Mira
23:30 - Silent procession. Route – departs from the church along Eng. Mira, Plaza d’Abastos, Sant Emigdi, Nord, Alacant, Carrer Rosari and Plaza del Rosari, Eng. Mira and back to the church. The ‘Holy hour’ begins as the procession enters the church.

April 10th 2009 (April 2nd 2010)
08:00 – Procession. There are two processions that take different routes and meet at Plaza del Rosari where the ‘Lord’s meeting with Veronica’ is re-enacted.
One route – departs from the church along Eng. Mira, Plaza d’Abastos, Sant Emigdi, Gratitud towards Plaza del Rosari.
The other route - departs from the church along Vicente Ramos, Sant Francesc and Rosari where they meet up with the other procession.
Return route - All processions return from Rosari, Sant Jaume, Plaza d’Abastos, Eng. Mira and back to the church
20:30 - The procession of the ‘Holy Sepulchre’. Route – from Colom 13, along Sant Jaume, Plaza de la Constitución and into the Church by the main door.
21:00 - Solemn procession for the ‘Holy Burial of Christ’. Route – from the Church along Eng Mira, Plaza d’Abastos, Sant Emigdi, Nord, Major, Plaza de la Constitución, Avd. País Valencià, Sant Francesc, Vicente Ramos and back to the church.

April 11th 2009 (April 3rd 2010)
09:00 - Holy Mass to celebrate ‘The resurrection of our Lord’.

April 12th 2009 (April 4th 2010)
09:00 - Holy Mass
10:00 (after Holy Mass) - Procession and re-enactment of the ‘Meeting with the Blessed Mary’. Route – departs from the church along Eng. Mira where the ‘meeting’ re-enactment takes place, then the procession continues along Vicente Ramos, Sant Francesc, Sant Eugeni, Sant Pere, Eng. Mira and back to the church.May 1st 2009.

May 1st 2009 (May 1st 2010)
Labor day
This is a national fiesta, so everyone gets another day off to celebrate ‘fiesta del trabajo’.

May 3rd 2009 (May 2nd 2010)
Mother’s day
This is not a national fiesta, but always happens on the first Sunday in May, this year being Sunday the 3rd of May.

June 24th 2009 (June 24th 2010)
Saint John's Bonfires
The tradition to celebrate the arrival of summer solstice is to make and light huge bonfires in honour of Saint John. The celebration of Saint John's Bonfires (2009) begins on Monday the 15th of June and goes on until Wednesday the 24th of June. There are special events during the week leading up to this fiesta, and on Guardamar beach you will be able to see the evening bonfires to celebrate the Saint John's Bonfires festival. The program of events for St. Johns fiesta in 2009 is as follows:

15th June 2009
17:00 - The building of the bonfire begins in Calle San Jaume

19th June 2009
20:00 - There’s a street parade through town
21:30 - The Festival Party Zone is opens and the ‘Bellea del Foc’ (Bonfire Beauty Queen) is presented to the public.

23rd June 2009
23:30 – On the main Guardamar beach you will be able to see events to celebrate the fires of St. John.

24th June 2009
08:00 – There’s a ‘Wake up call’ street parade around the roads of Guardamar
20:00 – The Holy Mass in honour of St John begins and is followed by music and local parades.
24:00 to 01:00 - This year’s Bonfire is set on fire, and everyone enjoys the party atmosphere.
 

July 17th to 26th 2009 (July dates to be confirmed for 2010)
Moors and Christians

Some of the most entertaining parades are the ones to celebrate the history of the Moors and Christians, in 2009 these parades start on the 17th of July and go on until the 26th of July. They tell the story of the beach invasion and storming of the castle and include mock fights in period costume, as they re-enact the battles between the Moors and Christians.

The Moors and Christians fiesta usually follows the following itinerary, however, exact details will be available nearer to the time:

July 17th 2009
Evening - Procession of the ´Damas´ (this year’s local Queen of the fiesta and her two maids of honours) and key members of the organising committee. Route – Plaza del Rosari, carrer Gratitut, Plaza dels Llauradors, C/ Major towards Plaza de la Constitución (town square).
Evening - Opening address
Evening - Presentation of the flags and standard bearers.
Evening - Coronation Ceremony of this year’s ‘Dama de Guardamar’(Lady of Guardamar). The recreation, in traditional costume, of the age old legend of L´Encantá – a spectacle of light, water and fire. An eye-catching performance that tells the story of a young girl who falls under a magic charm and can only be released by a brave soldier, who first has a battle against the forces of evil, a dragon, in order to free her. The curse can only be broken if he bathes her feet in the Segura river. The “happy ending” is that he kills the dragon and washes her feet in the river. They live happily ever after.
Midnight - Opening of the ‘Town Council Party Zone’, which is situated in the La Redonda football ground, near the industrial estate. This is an invitation to dance the night away to the music of some of Guardamar´s best D.J.s.

July 18th 2009
Morning - Model aircraft exhibition in the Avda Els Pins.
Early afternoon - Traditional festival of bell ringing and firework rocket throwing (town square).
Evening - Fancy dress parade and Competition for anyone who wants to get involved. The Parade sets off from C/ Major on the corner with C/ Nord and continues along the Avda País Valencià, ending in the Plaza Jaume II. Competition bibs and rules can be obtained from the Tourist Information Office. All prizes will be awarded in the ´Town Council Party Zone´
Midnight – ‘Party Zone’, which is situated at the football ground near the industrial estate. Music provided by local D.J.s

July 19th 2009
Early afternoon - Traditional festival of bell ringing and fireworks rocket throwing (town square)
Evening - Choral and Music Concert in the Plaza de la Constitución. (Town square). During the programme, prizes will be awarded to the winners of this year’s local ‘Short Story’ competition.
Late evening - Cinema on the Beach. Film festival on the Roqueta Beach.
Midnight– ‘Town Council Party Zone’, which is situated in the football ground near the industrial estate.

July 20th 2009
Early afternoon - Traditional festival of bell ringing and rocket throwing in the town square.
Evening - Opening of the mediaeval market (situated in carrer del Rosari).
Late evening - Rock festival in Town Council Party Zone
Late evening - Festival of Firecrackers.  Route – departs from the Town Hall, along C/ Miguel Hernández, C/ Sant Francesc, C/ Ausiàs March, C/ Sant Jaume, Plaza d’Abastos, C/ Enginyer Mira and ends at the Plaza de la Constitució (town square).

July 21st 2009
Early afternoon - Traditional festival of bell ringing and firework rocket throwing (town square).
Evening - Mediaeval market situated in carrer del Rosari
Evening - Childrens´Party and Entertainment in the carrer els Pins

July 22nd 2009
Early afternoon - Traditional festival of bell ringing and firework rocket throwing (town square).
Evening - Mediaeval market situated in carrer del Rosari
Evening - First ´Guerrilla’. The mock battle begins along Avda. País Valencià at the corner of carrer Lepanto and continues towards the town square. The Christians are in front, expelled by the Moors who take possession of the town.
Evening - Re-enactment of the conquering of the Castle and the town of Guardamar by the Moors. After this there is a parade along the Avda. País Valencià towards the Plaza dels Pescadors.
Night time – bar, music and dancing throughout the night..

July 23rd 2009
Morning - See parachuting over the beach
Evening - Second ´Guerrilla´. This mock battle begins, after warning gunfire from the Castle’s Gunpowder Bastion. The battle then moves along Carrer Castell, Carrer Gratitut, Plaça Llauradors, Carrer Major to the town square. The Moors are first followed by the Christians who now take possession of the town.
Evening - Once there the Christians take power, the ´Trial of the Moorish Traitor´ takes place which represents the reconquest of the Castle and the City from the Moors by the Christians. Victory parade along the agreed route from Avda. País Valencià to Plaza dels Pescadors.
Night time – bar, music and dancing throughout the night

July 24th 2009
Feast of Saint James, Patron Saint of Guardamar
Midday - Music parades through the streets of Guardamar with the ‘Dama de Guardamar’ and her ‘Maids of honour’
Evening - Holy Mass in honour of Saint James
Evening - Procession in honour of Saint James. Route – Carrer Enginyer Mira, Plaza d’Abastos, Ccarrer Sant Emigdi, Carrer Valencia, Carrer Major, Avda. País Valencià, Carrer Migdia, Vicente Ramos, and then back to the church.
1am - Aquatic Fireworks Display opposite Roqueta and Centre beaches. The fireworks are set off from makeshift sea jetties.
Night time - bar, music and dancing.

July 25th 2009
Early morning - Parade startes at Plaz Jaime II, Avda. País Valencià, c/ Major, Plaza Llauradors, Carrer Gratitut, and Carre Castell – ending at the castle
Evening - Entrance of the Christians. Starting at Avda. Pais Valencià on the corner with carrer Lepanto and ending in the Carrer Major at the corner with carrer Nord.
Night time. – bar, music and dancing

July 26th 2009
Morning - Model aircraft exhibition in Pista de Vuelo
Evening - The Music Bands make their entrance following the opposite route of the parades
Evening - Entrance of the Moors. Starting at Avda. País Valencià , along the C/Major and ending at the corner of C/ Nord.
Night time - A final opportunity to enjoy the fun and hospitality by dancing the night away
Midnight - The Castle Fireworks Display. We bid farewell to the festivities with our traditional musical fireworks display. The best vantage and viewing points are in carrer Molivent near the bus station and Health Centre.

August
In August films are shown in the Reina Sofia park in the evenings during the week. There are normally films for children and families on one of the evenings and films for adults on the other evening. The films normally start at about 22.00 and entrance is free. More details will be available near the time.
On Saturdays evenings in August there are often open air concerts in Reina Sofia park including classical music from around the world, flamenco and more modern music of the ‘Beatles’ and ‘Simon and Garfunkel’. The shows usually begin at about 22.00 and entrance is free. More details will be available near the time.

August 15th 2009 (August 15th 2010)
Assumption of the Virgin
This is a national fiesta, however there are no parades.

1st to 7th of October 2009 (1st to 7th of October 2010)
Lady of the Rosary
The celebrations of the local festivities in honour of the Lady of the Rosary usually begins on or about the 1st of October, and normally follows this timetable, (as with most things in Spain, the precise dates and details are never known until nearer the time) :

October 5th 2009
Evening - The Rosary is recited
Evening - Mass is said for the deceased from the following streets; Crevillent, Plaça del Mercat, Plaça Porticada, Cartagena, Tabarca, La Marina, la Pau, Lepant, Les Vinyes, Mediterrani Plaça Jaume II, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Sant Vicent Ferrer, San Isidre Llaurador.

October 6th 2009
Early afternoon - Firecrackers, bangers and bell-ringing
Evening - The Rosary is recited
Evening - Holy Mass.

October 7th 2009
In the early hours of the morning, we are awakened by the 'Auroros', a group of local people who recite and sing the Rosary in honour of Our Lady and Patron.
Early morning (usually around 7am) the group proceed along the following route - Enginyer Mira, Plaça d' Abastos, Rosarí, Plaça del Rosarí, Enginyer Mira and back to the church. The Rosary is followed by Holy Mass.
Morning - Hot chocolate and cake are available in the Parish Hall
Morning - Parade through the streets followed by local bands and musicians.
Midday - Holy Mass. Mass is followed by traditional local dances 'Danses a la Mare de Deu' in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary. Wine is offered in the Church Hall as part of the Celebrations.
Early afternoon - More firecrackers, bangers and bell-ringing
Early evening - The Rosary is recited
Evening - Holy Mass, after Mass, the image of Our Lady of the Rosary is paraded in 'solemn procession' through the streets of Guardamar. The procession includes local dignatories, the 'Dama de Guardamar and her 'ladies in waiting', the 'Bellea del Foc' and the 'Bellea del Foc Infantil' with their attendants, the 'Reina' and 'Reina Infantil' of the Fiestas del Campo - all accompanied by local bands and musicians. The route is, as follows, - Vicente Ramos, Sant Eugeni, Sant Pere, Plaça d'Abastos, Sant Emigdi, Gratitut, Larramendi, Sant Jaume, Plaça d'Abastos, Enginyer Mira and back to the church, followed by traditional hymns.
The event is followed by a spectacular Fireworks Display in honour of ‘Our Lady’.

October 12th 2009 (October 12th 2010)
National Day of Spain
This is a national fiesta.

November 1st 2009 (November 1st 2010)
All Saints day
This is a national fiesta

December 6th 2009 (December 6th 2010)
Day of the Spanish constitution
This is a national fiesta

December 8th 2009 (December 8th 2010)
Immaculate Conception
This is a national fiesta

December 24th 2009 (December 24th 2010)
Christmas Eve
A Spanish Christmas is celebrated in a slightly different way to the British version. Most towns are decorated with colourful street lights, like the UK, but, in addition, the town square (plaza) normally plays host to a spectacularly intricate miniature model of houses, people, animals etc. which depicts the Christmas story. This is called a 'Belen' (meaning Bethlehem) and really must be seen.

Traditionally, the Spanish celebrate Christmas with a big family meal on the night of Christmas Eve (Nochebuena). The meal consists of many courses, including cured ham and cheese, a variety of seafood, meat (normally lamb) etc. and it ends with sweet cakes (postres), coffee, chocolates, liqueurs, champagne (cava) and cider (sidra) etc. and, as they don't start eating till about 10.30 pm, the food and drink flows till the early hours. In modern times people exchange gifts for Christmas at this time, obviously after midnight.

The Spanish translation for Father Christmas or Santa Claus is Papa Noel.

December 25th 2009 (December 25th 2010)
Christmas Day
Although Christmas day, on the 25th of December, is a national fiesta, it's not celebrated in a particularly special way and not regarded as special as Christmas Eve, on the 24th.

December 26th 2009 (December 26th 2010)
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a British based idea and generally means nothing to the Spanish and is therefore, in general, regarded as a normal working day, although you may find that some businesses are still closed.

December 31st 2009 (December 31st 2010)
New Years Eve
If you want to find out where everyone is at midnight on New Years Eve in Guardamar, just head for the Town square (Plaza), where the Town hall is situated, from 11:30. Normally, the Guardamar town hall organises music and dancing either in a marquee or on the ground floor of the Town Hall. A complimentary drink is normally available, to see in the New Year, and often there are bags of party streamers and blowers etc. There is a great atmosphere and a lot of hugging and kissing as the church bells ring in another year. There is a New Year tradition in Spain to eat a grape on each strike of midnight, and this is supposed to bring you good luck in the year ahead. The trouble is that most fresh grapes have pips in them, which make the task of eating one grape every second for 12 seconds very difficult! However, in the days running up to New Year, most supermarkets in Guardamar stock tins of seedless grapes, which makes it much easier!

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