Santíssima Sang & Bous a la Mar
From Friday 4 to Sunday 13 July, Dénia overflows with fireworks, music, seafaring traditions and a warm Mediterranean vibe. Here’s everything you need to enjoy the Marina Alta’s most beloved patronal festival.
Bird’s-Eye Program Overview
| Date | Main Event | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Jul (Fri) | Pretxupinazo & T-shirt hand-out | 20:00 | Glorieta País Valencià (disfruta-denia.com) |
| Inter-generational Song Festival (FIC) | 22:00 | Calle La Vía (disfruta-denia.com) | |
| 5 Jul (Sat) | Running of the Bulls & 1st Bous a la Mar | 19:00 | Port (disfruta-denia.com) |
| 8 Jul (Tue) | Fallero Day – Solidarity Fideuà | 14:00 | Marqués de Campo (disfruta-denia.com) |
| The Tyets concert | 23:00 | Glorieta País Valencià (disfruta-denia.com) | |
| 9 Jul (Wed) | Grand Day of the Santíssima Sang – Mascletàs | 14:00 / 22:30 | Glorieta / Plaça Jaume I (disfruta-denia.com) |
| 12 Jul (Sat) | Float Parade (Provincial Tourist Interest) | 18:30 | Fallero route (disfruta-denia.com) |
| Ana Guerra concert | 23:30 | Calle La Vía (disfruta-denia.com) | |
| 13 Jul (Sun) | Firework finale over the sea | 23:55 | Port (disfruta-denia.com) |
Download the full official program (PDF) 👉 Programa Festa Major Dénia 2025
Events That Make the Festival Unique
Bous a la Mar
A wooden bullring juts out over the Mediterranean; when a bull falls, a boat and floating ramp bring it safely back to shore. Declared a National Tourist Interest Festival in 1993 and, since 2024, held in a single daily session at 19:00 / 19:30 to avoid excessive heat. (denia.com, queverendenia.com)
Float Parade
Saturday 12 July at sunset. Fallas commissions flex their creativity with paper-flower floats and choreographies that light up Avenida Marqués de Campo. (disfruta-denia.com)
Mascletàs
Two fire-cracker displays—daytime and night-time—on Wednesday 9. Intense gunpowder, a thunderous finale and the unmistakable scent of masclet for Valencian pyrotechnic lovers. (disfruta-denia.com)
Free Concerts
Calle La Vía and the Glorieta host a varied line-up: Ana Guerra, The Tyets, Bombai, orchestras and family musicals. (disfruta-denia.com)
A Little History
The festival honours the Miracle of the Santíssima Sang (1633): the Franciscan friar Pare Pere organised a procession with the Relic of Christ’s Blood and, tradition says, Dénia was spared a cholera epidemic. Ever since, the second Wednesday after St Peter marks the main feast day. (blogs.ua.es, laguiadelturista.es)
Bous a la Mar appear in chronicles from 1926; the current floating arena was installed in 1947 and an official animal-rescue service launched in 1984. (queverendenia.com)
Practical Tips
| Topic | Handy Details |
|---|---|
| Bous tickets | On sale from 15 June (town-hall website & box office). €8 grandstand / €15 ringside. (queverendenia.com) |
| Parking | Blue zone: Mon–Fri 09:30-13:30 & 17:00-20:30; Sat 09:30-13:30; Sundays free. Large car parks at Torrecremada & Raset. (zona-azul.es) |
| Getting there | TRAM line 9 Benidorm–Dénia (direct route since 28 Jan 2025); ALSA coaches hourly from Valencia & Alicante. (es.wikipedia.org) |
| Port kit | Non-slip shoes, spare clothes and a waterproof phone case. |
| Local food | Book ahead to try red prawn, arròs a banda or espencat; Loreto Street and Baix la Mar district fill up fast. |
| Accessibility | Adapted walkways in the bullring and PMR areas at mascletàs and floats (request accreditation at Tourist Info). |
Curiosities & Traditions You Might Not Know
- Opening Rocket & Entraeta de Bous
On the first Saturday morning, the Quintos—18-year-olds—parade with a brass band, hand out the festival book and, at noon, fire the rocket that officially opens the week, cueing the afternoon bull run. - Quintos: youthful heart of the fiesta
Besides the Entraeta, the Quintos host their own day on Friday: popular brunches, confetti-filled despertàs and a free concert on Calle La Vía. - Aplec de Danses
Sunday afternoon sees local and visiting folk groups fill Plaça del Consell with dolçaina i tabalet music and ribbon dances—a tribute to Marina Alta’s rural roots, revived in 2018. - Peñas Day
Monday equals an all-nighter: peñas set up street bars on Marqués de Campo and a disco-mobile keeps things buzzing till dawn—think a mini “Arenal Sound” with Montgó views. - The Pa Beneït
During Wednesday’s solemn Mass, thousands of little loaves are blessed and distributed as a symbol of protection—a custom documented since the 17th century. (lamarina.eldiario.es) - Procession of the Relic
At dusk, the Relic of Christ’s Blood tours the streets on a silver throne escorted by drums, bands and candle-bearing confraternities, passing Diana, Glorieta and Loreto before returning to the Church of the Assumption. (disfruta-denia.com)
Bous a la Mar in Figures
- 1925: first wooden arena on the quay
- 1973: the name “Bous a la Mar” catches on
- 1993: declared National Tourist Interest Festival
- 2010: arena reinforced to modern standards (es.wikipedia.org)
Floats, Paper… and Mia Farrow!
Each falla builds a float of hand-made paper flowers—around 50 000 per float. The parade began as a Batalla de Flores in the late ’40s, and in 1958 crowned a young Mia Farrow as Queen of the Fiestas before her Hollywood fame.
Red Prawn, Gastronomic Pride
Every March, Dénia hosts the International Creative Red Prawn Cooking Contest: eight chef finalists cook live in the Mercado Municipal before a Michelin-star jury. The 2025 edition was won by Ana Lázaro (Restaurant Barro, Ávila) with “Prímula y Gamba Roja”. (marinaalta.es, cadenaser.com)
The Official Poster
Each spring the council runs an open competition for the Festa Major poster. In 2023 the winning artwork was “L’art de la mar” by Laura Covisa; her design adorns streets, social media and the program cover. (tvdenia.com)
With these historical brushstrokes and anecdotes, your post will not just inform—it will make readers feel the unique atmosphere that turns the Festa Major of Dénia into an unmissable summer event on the Mediterranean.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Bous a la Mar tickets cost?
Grandstand €1–€5; ringside from €15. Box office opens from 18:00.
Are events cancelled if it rains?
Only fireworks and the float parade; the council announces any changes on @DeniaAjunt (X/Twitter).
Are there activities for children?
Yes: daily workshops and kids’ shows at 20:00 in Plaza Valgamediós, plus a children’s Txupinazo (Sunday 6, 11:30). (disfruta-denia.com)
Useful Links
See you at the Glorieta! Plan your getaway and share your photos with the hashtag #FestaMajorDénia.
