All of Spain loves a Fiesta and Javea is no exception.

There are numerous fiestas throughout the year and to follow are some of the ones you may encounter during your stay. Times and dates do vary from year to year however so it is advisable to pick up a leaflet from the tourist information office in the old town.

5th January - Procession of "Los Reyes Magos" (Three Kings) - Live nativity scene at the 'Placeta del Convent' in the old town

17th January - San Antonio Abad fiesta - blessing of the animals and sacred bread is handed out at the Plaza de la Constitución in the old town

12th - 28th January - Amusement Fair San Antonio Abad - in the parking area (near Mercadona supermarket) in the old town

17th February - Carnival procession - fancy dress with prize for the best dressed participant and, later, dancing to live music

March - Funeral of the Sardine (a little fish in a silk lined coffin is ceremoniously 'buried' to bring the fisherman good luck for the year)

6th - 9th April - Artisan Craft Fair - held in the town and consisting of numerous stalls displaying a large variety of crafts.

23rd April - 3rd May - Fiesta of Jesus Nazarene
An important celebration with several activities in the old town including processions with floats, dancing in the streets, firework displays, the "toro embolado" (bull with flaming horns) during which a number of streets will be barricaded off for young bulls to be let loose and chased by the brave of the town! This usually takes place at about 1800hrs to 2200hrs and a good place to view the events is from the stands that are built up in the Plaza de Convento at the bottom of the hill on the one-way system going out of the town.

June - Dia de Las Cruces Fiesta Santa Cruz Celebrated in the old town of Javea. On this day, the statue of Jesus of Nazareth is carried from the San Bartolome Church, in the centre of the town, to the Church of Jesus Nazareno on the mountain road to Denia. It is called Dia de Las Cruces (literally, the day of the crosses) because throughout the town you will find many houses decorated with elaborate floral crosses. A number of streets are also decorated by the residents living there and it is worth wandering around the old town to see just how much work the people put in to their cross making, all of which are made of natural flowers and later judged for their beauty and originality. The procession from the Church of San Bartolome to the Church of Jesus Nazareno usually starts at around 1800. Later in the evening in the Plaza del Convento there is dancing to the music of a live (but extremely loud!) band (date not available at time of printing - check at Tourist Information offices)

13th - 15th June - International Festival of Javea This is usually set up in the Thursday market square and spread over a period of three days. There are several stands from different countries, live shows and many other items of interest. For the last few years, for example, there has been the preparation of a giant paella with a free taste for all who are prepared to wait!

9th - 24th June - Fogueras de San Juan - the main fiesta of Javea Town. During the first few days are the 'Fiestas Espanolas' - bull running through the streets of the town. This usually takes place in the Plaza del Convento in the old town. The roads are barricaded and the young bulls are usually let loose around 1300, 1800 and 2200hrs but these times may vary from year to year, so please check with us or the local tourist information centre who will also be able to provide you with an up-to-date programme.

The braver youngsters of the town run with the bulls and, while it may not be on the same scale of San Fermin in Pamplona, it is not a sport to be taken lightly; the Red Cross have two ambulances standing by to take the wounded off to hospital! During the last four days of the Fiesta there are both solemn processions and riotous cavalcades of floats and bands.

The two to watch out for are the 'Ofrenda de Flores', which is a magnificent procession with all the participants in national costume, each one carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers to be offered in the Church of San Bartolome in the square of the old town. The of San Bartolome in the square of the old town. The second is the procession of floats and bands that go right round the town, usually on the 23rd at about 0100hrs and on the 24th at around 2000hrs.

Around the 22nd June, in the Plaza del Convento, a large papier-mache and balsa wood statue will appear. This is known as a 'Falla' - a satirical statue depicting anything from local councilors and central government officials to tourists and foreign residents, usually burnt on the 24th of June and preceded by dancing in the square to a live band and later a spectacular firework display from the main car park in the town. The firework display and the burning of the Falla generally take place at around midnight but it is well worth the effort of staying up to see them. It is an amazing sight in the centre of town, which is closely supervised by the local police and with the fire department on standby to control the flames!

16th July - Fiesta of "Nuestra Senora del Carmen" - the fiesta of the sailors In the morning, fishing boats carrying the image of the above lady set sail, offering flowers to the sea.

16th - 22nd July - Moors and Christians (Port area of Javea)

The Moors and Christians Fiesta is by far the most colourful and dramatic of all the fiestas in Javea. It depicts the times when Barbary pirates menaced the coasts with frequent raids. Usually on the 16th is the fiesta of the sailors (as above). Another feature is a 'battle' between two groups on the beach at the port - the Moors land from a fleet of small boats, while the Christians try in vain to defend their positions. On Saturday and Sunday evenings there are processions of the Moors and Christians, each group accompanied by its own band. The procession is followed by dancing to a live band that is generally held in the Avenida Jaume 1 in Javea port.

27th July - 2nd August - Virgen de los Angeles Held on La Plana, on the way to the lighthouse of San Antonio; a small Fiesta with outside dancing, Mass and wine of honour.

25th August - 8th September - Fiesta of the "Virgen de Loreto", patron of the Port of Javea

There are usually two cavalcades through the streets of the port and on the following days there is bull running on the main fishing quay, with the brave young men of the port invariably ending up in the harbour! On more than one occasion, a bull has also ended up in the sea, to the consternation of the numerous sailors on the small boats that crowd in to the watch the fun.

On several nights there is dancing in the main square, the Plaza Jaume 1. The high points of the fiesta are the 'Atomic Explosions', extremely noisy, daytime fireworks, usually at about 1300hrs and the 'Castillo', main firework display, at about midnight and usually on the 8th. They are set off from the main breakwater in the harbour.

9th September - Ermita del Popul A religious fiesta where Mass is held and afterwards chocolate and pastries are handed out.

9th - 12th October - "Comunitat Valenciana" (Valencia Community) celebrations

For up to date what's-going-on news, tune to Javea based radio station Coast FM on 101.8 or 104