La Magdalena: Have Fun at this Festival in Castelló de la Plana!

La Magdalena festival 2024 is ready to start with a bang in Castelló de la Plana. Be part of the festivities and learn all about Valencia’s unique traditions. Every year, La Magdalena offers exciting events for adults and children, so you can come with friends, family or both! Fire shows, food stalls, buzzing streets…the reasons for putting this festival in the diary are endless.

La Magdalena starts on the 2 March with a traditional pregón, a dramatic announcement that kicks off the festivities. On 3 March, Romería de las Cañas, Pilgrimage of the Staffs, makes its way to Castell Vell and La Magdalena Chapel, and the Gaiatas parade takes place in the evening, filling the streets with the customary lit up sculptures.

La Magdalena festivities continue with the children’s Pregón and twinkling Gaitates light display on the 4 March. Make sure you visit Fadrí Tower and the interesting folklore exhibition while you’re there. And there won’t be a shortage of music and dancing! On the 5 March, it’s time for Nit Màgica, Magical Night, in which performing artists, musicians and pyrotechnicians come together to conjure up a thrilling atmosphere to the delight of the crowds.

On 6 March, La Magdalena reaches its halfway point, by which point you should’ve worked up an appetite and tried a ximo, a traditional stuffed fried sandwich. Opt for a typical bean and spring onion tortilla sandwich, or snack on a buñuelo, a mini donut ubiquitous in Valencia. This day will centre around the decorated carts which take to the streets in a sensational display of colour and art.

On 7 March, kids and grownups get stuck into the confetti fight and correfocs, meaning ‘fire-runs’, which consist of dramatic pyrotechnical performances with people dressed as devils and other monsters. On the 8, head into town to see more parades and concerts, and if you’re into sports, then don’t miss the World Championships of Boli, a traditional Valencian game that uses a bat. On the same day, you can also see the start of the Ofrenda de Flores, a flower offering ceremony to La Mare de Déu del Lledó. 

Finally, on 10 March, there is a big firework display to round off the festival, as well as the traditional Magdalena Vítol, an emotional final parade to say farewell to La Magdalena until the following year. Do you want to soak up  all the excitement yourself?

If you want to keep up to date with other festivals and events taking place in the Region of Valencia, follow us on social media. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Youtube.