Javea’s Mare de Déu de Loreto enters its final week with Bous a la Mar and fireworks

As August draws to a close, the seaside district of Duanes de la Mar in Javea is gearing up for the most vibrant and action-packed stretch of its patron saint festivities: the Mare de Déu de Loreto celebration. Having kicked off mid-month, from August 28 through to September 8, the port area will transform into a lively hub of maritime traditions, community gatherings, and spectacular evening entertainment in anticipation of the festivities’ grand finale.

A vibrant start to the final stretch of the festivities

The end-of-August schedule will continue with an atmosphere of growing excitement, starting with traditional sporting events like raspall, or Valencian pilota matches in the streets, along with popular community dinners along the seafront promenade. By Saturday, August 29, the celebrations will officially shift into high gear with the Presentation of the Mayorales and Mayoralesas, the official festival representatives, followed by open-air concerts and dancing that stretch into the small hours of Sunday morning.

Tradition meets excitement at the port

An iconic feature of the festival calendar is the famous Bous a la Mar, or bulls to the sea, event running from late August into early September. Crowds will gather at the port enclosure to watch daring participants dodge bulls near the water’s edge, while enjoying fresh tapas and cold drinks at the Baret dels Bous, a beloved seasonal pop-up run by the festival committee.

Family fun and evening entertainment

As September begins to unfold, the itinerary will strike a balance between family entertainment and deep-rooted religious customs. Children can enjoy dedicated activity days packed with giant water slides, foam parties, and traditional games. Meanwhile, late afternoon and evening events feature traditional music, tardeos (afternoon parties hosted by local youth groups), and live music performances by renowned and emerging local bands.

A spectacular grand finale on the coast

The climax of the festivities will begin on September 6 with the moving Flower Offering to the Mare de Déu de Loreto, where residents march in traditional dress to carpet the patron saint in blossoms. The final days, September 7 and 8, will focus on religious and traditional tributes, including solemn processions through the historic streets of Duanes, loud daytime fireworks displays, also known as mascletàs, and the famous and heart-pounding Correfoc, or fire-run, event.

The celebrations will finally draw to a breathtaking close shortly after midnight on September 8, with the magnificent aquatic fireworks display. Fired directly over the Bay of Javea, the dazzling pyrotechnics illuminate the Mediterranean waters, marking a memorable end to another year of this long-anticipated seaside tradition.