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April 11-14 Santa Faz fiestas in Alicante with markets, fair, food and more
The Sant Joan d'Alacant fair returns bigger and better than ever in 2024
The Santa Faz festival is an important religious celebration held annually in Sant Joan d'Alacant, a coastal town located near Alicante’s capital city. The event takes place every year on the second Thursday after Easter Sunday and attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors from across the country.
The centrepiece of the festival is a procession featuring a revered image of the Virgin Mary, popularly known as Our Lady of Santa Faz. Devotees believe that this sacred icon, brought from Rome in the late 15th century, possesses miraculous healing powers.
On the day of the procession, participants embark on a journey walking barefoot from the church of San Juan Bautista in Sant Joan d'Alacant to the sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin of Santa Faz, located roughly six kilometres away. Throughout the trek, devotees sing traditional songs and pray rosaries, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere.This year, the fiestas will run from Thursday April 11 until Sunday April 14 and the celebrations will include live music performances, food stands and outdoor markets.
Here’s what you can expect during the festivities:
Markets
Sant Joan d'Alacant has already readied its streets for the annual Santa Faz outdoor market, which is famous all over Spain. This edition will feature 118 stalls, 15 more than last year and a remarkable surge compared to 2022’s 96 booths.
The vibrant market stretches along Avenida de Alicante, welcoming visitors arriving for the holy pilgrimage and serving as the central hub until April 14.
Attendees can explore a vast assortment of products offered across the varied stalls, ranging from culinary delights like classic dishes, candies, ice cream parlours and churros stands to religious souvenirs, jewellery, artisanal creations, leatherwork, fabrics, pottery and more.
Six conventional kiosks will also be set up in Luis Foglietti Square, showcasing religious merchandise, clothing and accessories. Three additional vendors are located nearby, offering Holy medals, baked treats, sandwiches, clothes and scarves inspired by the pilgrimage.
Amusement fair
The 2024 amusement fair features 31 licensed attractions, marking a slight increase from the preceding year's count of 30. Despite higher demand, available land space is a constant issue, posing limitations on further expansion.
Nevertheless, fairgoers can indulge in thrilling experiences between April 11 and 14, with rides catering to audiences of all ages. Visitors can expect fan favourites like bumper cars, ghost trains and gaming booths.
With plenty of sunshine forecast, the fiestas expect a whopping 300,000 guests to descend on Sant Joan d'Alacant on the Thursday alone, followed by estimates exceeding 100,000 people on the other days.
Images: Ayuntamiento de Sant Joan d'Alacant
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