Xàbia Kicks Off the Year in Celebration: Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastià Take Centre Stage

Xàbia never stands still. Its identity and traditions are lived out on the streets, deeply rooted in the local calendar of saints and popular devotions. The new year begins with two celebrations that have grown significantly in recent years, expanding their programmes without losing a shred of their essence. Sant Antoni Abad, patron saint of animals, and Sant Sebastià, patron saint of the town, officially open the local festive calendar after the visit of the Three Wise Men.

In this regard, Guillermo Bolufer, president of the Associació Cultural Taurina de Xàbia, has highlighted the support shown in recent years by the local council in Xàbia, which has helped to strengthen the Sant Sebastià festivities as they mark 15 years since the return of Bous al Carrer to the heart of the historic centre.

Sant Antoni Abad

The patron saint of animals kicks off the festive season. This year, events organised by the CAE El Tirasset equestriancCentre and Penya La Burrera will take place on the same dates (16th–18th January), promising a big weekend of celebration. The saint’s feast day itself, Saturday 17th January, will be especially busy, with activities running simultaneously in the historic centre and in Duanes de la Mar.

On Saturday morning, the Duanes de la Mar will dress up for the occasion thanks to Penya La Burrera. The group is celebrating 40 years of honouring Sant Antoni and will once again host its traditional events in the seafaring district: lively pasacalles, a church service, the blessing of the traditional bread rolls and, afterwards, the blessing of animals along the Paseo Joaquín Sorolla. To mark their four decades of celebrations, Penya La Burrera will join CAE El Tirasset for the Cremà del Pi, a symbolic gesture of unity.

At the same time, CAE El Tirasset will carry out the traditional transfer of the Pi de Sant Antoni to Raval de Baix. Due to its size, the pine tree will be erected officially on Friday, while Saturday will feature a symbolic procession.

CAE El Tirasset is also introducing new elements to its programme. On Saturday early evening, ahead of the Cremà del Pi at 8 pm, the wait will be livened up with live music from the duo Oxigen from 6:30 pm, along with a bar service. After the bonfire, the celebrations will continue with a performance by local band Batisjaus.

On Sunday 18th January, before the parade of horses, carts and riding schools through various parts of the town, a popular almuerzo will be served at 10 am on Carrer Sant Antoni for participants and the general public. After the parade, at around 1 pm, the blessing of animals will take place in Plaça de la Constitució.

The Fira i Porrat de Sant Antoni, located on Avenida de Palmela, is now open will remain open until 1st February, daily at 5.00 pm. On Friday 16th January there will be a free hot chocolate at 6.00 pm, and Children’s Day will be held on 23rd January, with all rides offered at reduced prices.

Sant Sebastià

The Sant Sebastià festivities will begin on the same day as Sant Antoni, with the start of the religious triduum in honour of the town’s patron saint, along with the Trofeu Ciclista Sant Sebastià, Xàbia’s stage of the Volta Ciclista a la Marina Alta.

This year’s programme, designed by the Sant Sebastià Committee and the Associació Cultural Taurina de Xàbia, is one of the most complete seen in decades.

Two major new features stand out. The first is the introduction of a romería (pilgrimage) in honour of the town’s patron saint on his main feast day, Tuesday 20th January. The aim is “to enhance the celebration and give Sant Sebastià greater prominence”. The image of the saint with his relic was already carried in procession during the most recent Corpus Christi celebrations in the historic centre, attracting great interest. As a result, the Committee has decided to replace the usual afternoon pasacalle with a pilgrimage that will wind through the streets of the historic centre from 6.00 pm.

The second major highlight is the expansion of the popular Bous al Carrer programme. There will be five full days of bull events, from Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25th January, with a total of nine sessions (two more than in 2025). These will feature three of the leading livestock breeders in the Comunidad Valenciana, along with one local and one regional breeder. Events will take place every evening from Wednesday to Sunday, with night sessions on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd, and morning sessions on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th. Children’s activities are also planned, including carretones, a fire-topped carretón and inflatable attractions.

Plaça de la Constitució will host the third edition of the Sant Sebastià Fest, with live music and entertainment on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th January from 8.00 pm onwards. Friday’s line-up includes well-known DJs Borja Conesa (from Dénia’s Dorian Gray pub), local DJ Pablo Palas from Remembee Central, and the popular Ismael Lora. On Saturday, the show band Titanic will take to the stage. Food and drink will be available at popular prices throughout the event.

The councillor responsible for Festivals, Mavi Pérez (CpJ), has highlighted her department’s commitment to helping smaller local celebrations grow and, above all, to “giving Xàbia’s patron saint the place and prominence he truly deserves.”