Simat de La Valldigna - Festivities

Festivities

Simat de la Valldigna has many festivities and is famous for that.

• Saint Anthony. On 16 January, the day just before saint Anthony, all Simat population comes to the Town Hall square, where a big bonfire is burned. Afterwards they go to some houses of rich families, where they receive fritters and wine. Finally there is an open-air dance that finishes late at night. On Saint Anthony's day a mass is celebrated, where animals, bread and some traditional cakes (which are typical for this day) are blessed and finally given out.

• Valldigna Day. On 15 March, all the Valldigna population (i.e. the one that belongs to the villages of Barx, Benifairó de la Valldigna, Simat de la Valldigna and Tavernes de la Valldigna) commemorate the foundation of the Cistercian monastery of Saint Mary. There is a mediaeval fair and an open-air dance.

• Saint James and Saint Anne. On 25 and 26 July, Saint James' and Saint Anne's festivities are celebrated.

• Saint Patrons' Festivities. Simat celebrates its saint patrons' festivities on 4, 5 and 6 August. The saint patrons of Simat are the saints Abdon and Sennen.

• 9 October "National Day of the Valencian Country". It is a tradition to make a contest of paella (typical Valencian meal) and also a typical Valencian street band, where the dolçaina (typical Valencian instrument) is played. In the evening there is an open-air dance and the traditional correfoc.