Senija Patron Festivities

Patron Saint Festivities 2025 in honor of the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats

📅 From April 30 to May 11
Below you can find the complete schedule of events:

Wednesday, April 30 & Thursday, May 1

• Decoration of the town’s streets.

• In the evening, the Festival Committee will distribute coca maria and mistela.

Friday, May 2

🕣 8:30 p.m.: Opening speech by Isidre Martínez Ivars at the Church of Santa Catalina Màrtir.
➡️ Followed by a wine reception organized by the 2024 Festival Committee.
🕦 11:30 p.m.: PRODANCE mobile disco by the 2024 Committee in the Town Square.

Saturday, May 3

🕛 12:00 p.m.: Traditional entrance of murta and general ringing of bells.
🕕 6:00 p.m.: Children’s theatre show “Bandarra”, sponsored by the Alicante Provincial Council as part of the 2025 Music and Theatre Promotion Campaign.
➡️ Followed by an afternoon snack for all attendees.
🕥 10:30 p.m.: Musical performance by the orchestra “La Límite” in the Town Square.

Sunday, May 4

🕣 8:30 a.m.: Despertà (wake-up call) and general ringing of bells by the festival participants.
🕦 11:30 a.m.: Parade with the Xirimiters.
🕛 12:00 p.m.: Solemn mass sung by the Benidoleig Choir.
🕗 8:00 p.m.: Gathering at Carrer de la Capella for the Flower Offering to the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, accompanied by the Associació de dolçainers i tabaleters de Sant Antoni d’Alacant.
➡️ At the end, a small fireworks display.
➡️ Then, traditional dances in the Town Square.
🕙 10:00 p.m.: Communal dinner provided by the Festival Committee in the Town Square.
🕦 11:30 p.m.: Grand musical show with Carlos Luna and Arantxa Pons in the Town Square.
➡️ Followed by a mobile disco.

Monday, May 5 – Feast Day of the Patron Saint, Mare de Déu dels Desemparats

🕣 8:30 a.m.: Despertà and general ringing of bells by the festival participants.
🕦 11:30 a.m.: Parade to gather the town council, accompanied by the Agrupació Musical El Seguili from Benidoleig.
🕛 12:00 p.m.: Solemn mass in honor of the Patron Saint, sung by the Armonium Ensemble Cultural Musical Association.
➡️ Sponsored by the Alicante Provincial Council as part of the 2025 Music and Theatre Promotion Campaign.
➡️ Followed by a large fireworks display by Pirotècnia Vulcano on Santíssim Crist Street.
➡️ Afterwards, Pa Beneït (blessed bread) will be distributed to all attendees.
🕣 8:30 p.m.: Parade to gather local authorities, accompanied by the Agrupació Musical El Seguili.
🕘 9:00 p.m.: Solemn procession in honor of the Patron Saint.
➡️ At the end, nighttime mascletà (pyrotechnic show) by Pirotècnia Vulcano.
🕛 12:00 a.m.: Spectacular performance by the orchestra “La Trampa” in the Town Square.
➡️ Sponsored by the Alicante Provincial Council within the 2025 Music and Theatre Promotion Campaign.

Tuesday, May 6

🕣 8:30 a.m.: Despertà and general ringing of bells by the festival participants.
🕦 11:30 a.m.: Parade with the town band.
🕛 12:00 p.m.: Solemn mass in honor of Santa Catalina Màrtir, sung by Coral Poble Nou.
➡️ Followed by a traca (loud firecracker string).
🕝 2:30 p.m.: Paella served by Arrossos Carlos on Verge dels Desemparats Street (tickets €2, available at the Casa de Cultura or from committee members).
🕔 5:00 p.m.: Tardeo (afternoon party) with PRODANCE mobile disco.
🕢 7:30 p.m.: Grand comedy parade.
➡️ Followed by costume contest awards and continuation of the tardeo.
🕙 10:00 p.m.: PRODANCE mobile disco.

Wednesday, May 7 – Bous al carrer

🕖 7:00 p.m.: Running of the cows (vaquetes) by La Paloma livestock farm.

Thursday, May 8

🕖 7:00 p.m.: Running of the cows by La Paloma.
🕚 11:00 p.m.: Running of the cows by La Paloma.

Friday, May 9

🕖 7:00 p.m.: Bull running (bous) by La Paloma.
🕚 11:00 p.m.: Cow running by La Paloma.
🕐 1:00 a.m.: Bou embolat (fire bull) by El Ferratge team.

Saturday, May 10

🕛 12:00 p.m.: Cow running by La Paloma.
🕔 5:00 p.m.: Carretons (bull runs for children) by Espectacles L’Afició.
🕖 7:00 p.m.: Cow running by La Paloma.
🕐 1:00 a.m.: Bou embolat by El Ferratge.

Sunday, May 11 – End of Festivities

🌞 Morning: Children’s amusement park by Espectacles L’Afició, in the Town Square.
🕛 12:00 p.m.: Mass.
🕑 2:00 p.m.: Communal paella. Meat and rice provided by the 2025 Festival Committee (registration open until May 8).
🎆 End of festivities with a final traca.