Xalónia- 4th and 5th May 2024- A wonderful two day festival for local tradition and gastronomy in Jalón.

The staff in the offices of Jacaranda Spain are excited to remind you all, that it is that time again.. Xalónia is the fiesta in Jalón that takes place in May every year ( Xaló is the original, Valencian name for Jalón)

Xalónia is a wonderful festival that takes place in and around the centre of the town of Jalón. It is a celebration of all things traditional to the town and the surrounding countryside and agriculture. All of the local businesses are represented; bars, restaurants, butchers, bakers, crafts, folk dancing, street performers, live music and DJs.

It is the perfect fiesta to go to if you´re not a big fan of the two week fiestas in July and August. The summer fiestas are fabulous but, unless you are young, or you just don´t like sleeping, they can be just a little bit too much!! Xalónia has something for everyone and it lasts two days instead of two weeks. It is a chance to experience local tradition but, most importantly, it is families and the community coming together, to enjoy each others company, relax and make merry! 

The streets are lined with stalls selling locally sourced and prepared food and drink. You buy your tickets at the start of the street and the idea is that you wander along the road and enjoy a drink and tapas at different stalls along the way.

The local butcher "Companatge", has a huge barbecue.

The local bodegas sell wine produced from the vineyards, not a stones throw away, the bars have cold beer on tap and there are tables lining the street.

The towns own "Mercat de la Terra" (farmers market) is a market with stalls selling artisan products made by local people or locally sourced.

There are folk dancers to showcase the traditional Valencian costumes and dancing

and activities for the children, including a climbing tower and zip wire, crafts, magic shows and games.

The amazing human pyramids, known as "Castells", are amazing to watch. This is a tradition dating back hundreds of years. The Castellers form a group on the ground who link their arms around the shoulders of the person standing next to them, and form a stage for the next members of the group to climb onto. They create a human pyramid which can sometimes reach seven or eight stages. They then send, up to the top, a child wearing a crash helmet! (health and safety can be somewhat questionable!)  As Xalónia is a smaller festival the pyramids tend to stop at three or four high!

Needless to say, there is music! Throughout the day local musicians play in the streets and late afternoon a local DJ, Ernesto Deep, plays 80´s disco and house music, next to a marquis, with the street serving as the dance floor. At 11.30 local rock and popular music bands perform, this can go on until 3 or 4am, for the diehards!

Xalónia is a terrific celebration. Everyone in town attends with their whole families. It is a celebration of everything and (as if we need reminding) it is a very joyful reminder of the wonderful community spirit that is a very important part of why we love life here in the Vall de Pop ( aka the Jalon Valley )

If you are lucky enough to live nearby, please come and join in the fun.

For more information pop into the Tourist Information office in Jalón or the townhall.

Or check it out on facebook Xalónia | Facebook