January 27 to February 4 Fiestas of San Blas in San Javier

The annual Romería is held in San Javier on Saturday February 3

Every year the town of San Javier celebrates San Blas, a saint of great importance in the history of the municipality, with a series of events which culminate in a “romería” procession on his feast day, February 3.

The origins of the fiestas lie in the 16th century, when Trinitarian monks brought their devotion to San Blas to San Javier and La Ribera, although the Romería in its current format did not begin until 1980. The event follows the celebration of Candelaria (Candlemas) on the 2nd of the month.

Most of the events take place around the church of San Blas, where the peña groups participating in the various activities around the festivities set up "encampments".

Alongside is a collection of stalls behind Avenida Luis Federico Guirao, selling the normal selections of crispy coated nuts, sunflower seeds, sweets and popcorn found at most fiestas around the Region of Murcia; They are also garlanded with brightly-coloured ribbons and coloured cords, holding small terracotta figures of San Blas, many of them painted gold. Traditionally, terracotta figures were placed above the bed of children in a family, in the belief that they would keep throat infections at bay, and these little figures are still sold at this Romería.

The schedule of events for the 2024 Fiestas de San Blas in San Javier includes the following:

Saturday January 27

21.00: The naming of the fiestas queens at a gala presented by Carmen Sabatel and magician Abel at the Centro Cultural in Santiago de la Ribera.

Thursday February 1

16.00: The fair opens in the Parque de San Blas.

Friday February 2

17.00: Snacks, games, drama and prize draws at the fair in the Parque de San Blas.

Saturday February 3

9.00: A collection of non-perishable foodstuffs for distribution by Cáritas at the parish church of Santiago Apóstol.

10.00: The Romería begins.

11.30: A country Mass is held at the church of San Blas with the participation of tenor Jesús Hernández and the Rondalla Santiago Apóstol.

14.00: Fellowship and paella, price 2 euros to be donated to the Brotherhood of the Virgen de la Soledad del Mar Menor y del Santo Entierro.

15.00: Music from Jurassic Band.

16.30: A sweet-throwing competition (!).

18.00: Firework display.

Sunday February 4

12.00: The annual gathering of “cuadrilla” folk dancing and music groups, with guest groups from Santomera and Bullas.

14.00: Fellowship and migas, price 2 euros to be donated to the Brotherhood of the Virgen de la Soledad del Mar Menor y del Santo Entierro.

15.00: Music with local DJs in the pine grove of San Blas.

18.30: The end of the 2024 Fiestas de San Blas in San Javier.

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of San Javier Today.