 Fiestas in Javea  Grilling sardines during the fiestas  The largest religious festivals are celebrated in honour of the Nazarene at the end of April. The Calvari Hermitage becomes one of the main scenes of the celebration. From there, the statue of Jesus of Nazareth is taken in procession to the San Bartolomé Church, one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful places of worship, situated in the old town. This takes place on the Third Sunday of Lent in a display of popular faith. On the 3rd of May, the statue is taken back to the Calvari Hermitage. Within the framework of its larger festivities appear the famous “ els bous”, a remarkable celebration based on young people running with young bulls. In addition, fireworks light up the sky. Coinciding with these celebrations is the “Creus de maig” competition, in which neighbours of Jávea / Xàbia compete in the making of bright and colourful crosses.
Fire takes on great importance in the middle of June, as in other towns along the Costa Blanca. Papier-mâché monuments, sometimes alluding to current affairs, decorate the streets of Xàbia, reminiscent of the ancient tradition of burning old junk on the 23rd of June in the magical belief of purifying body and soul before the summer solstice. The “Focs de Sant Joan”, which light the streets of the town, are small bonfires over which young people leap, one by one, wearing garlands and flowers which are burned when the last fire has been jumped. Finally on the 24th of June, the feast of Sant Joan, all the monuments are burnt putting an end to the festivities.
Religion, pagan traditions, the Mediterranean and History. The town of Xàbia has also taken on a typical celebration in the Alicante area: Moors and Christians, which is celebrated in the port between the supporters of the Cross and the Crescent Moon.
 Javea decorated streets
The Mare de Déu del Carme, on the 16th of July; the Mare de Déu dels Angels at the beginning of August and Santa Llúcia on the 13th of December are other celebrations of a clearly religious nature which make up the traditional festive calendar of Jávea / Xàbia. The festival of Jesus Nazareno is celebrated from the 28th April till the 3rd May. This involves taking the statue of Jesus from the Calvari Hermitage to the San Bartolome Church on the third Sunday of Lent and then returning it on 3rd May. During this festival there is also a competition of crosses made of fresh flowers. During the last 2 weeks of June there is the Fogueres de San Joan which involves large papier-mache 'sculptures' often of famous people in sport or current affairs. On the 24th June, the feast of San Juan, these large sculptures are burnt. In the days preceding this there are many small bonfires in the streets which young people jump over to purify their bodies. At the end of July Javea celebrates Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians) with mock battles and parades. |
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