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January 31 to February 3 Fiestas de San Blas in Yecla
Take part in the 500-year-old Yecla fiestas and partake of the Blessed Bread to ward off sore throats!
The fiestas of San Blas are one of the oldest surviving traditions in Yecla, dating back to at least the 16th century, and take place every year in late January and/or early February.
At this time of year it is customary for all households in Yecla to be well-stocked with “Pan Bendito” (blessed bread), and the same bread is actually blessed in the Basílica de la Purísima. Yet more bread is sent to relatives outside Yecla so that they can continue the tradition in the belief that San Blas will protect them from throat infections!
3rd February is the feast day of San Blas and the fiestas take place prior to and on that date. Traditionally, the events begin with a Saturday procession to the Basílica to recite the lord’s Prayer, followed by a parade to the Calle de la Iglesia, home to the old niche of San Blas. A bonfire is lit here and local dignitaries jump over the flames!
A larger procession takes place on the Sunday, featuring three enormous Panes Benditos and the figure of the Saint, accompanied by local authorities both religious and non-religious. Thousands of Yeclanos join in carrying their own bread, including local children, and Mass is held in the Basílica.
The fiestas end with an afternoon of entertainment in the Plaza Mayor, with running races and events such as the sack race for children!
The schedule for the 2026 fiestas includes the following:
Saturday January 31
17.30: The faithful gather at the headquarters of the “Mayordomos” dignitaries (Calle Numancia, 9).
18.00: The Mayordomos and those accompanying them set out in procession to the Basílica de la Purísima, where they recite the Lord’s Prayer before the figure of San Blas before candles are lit to implore him to protect the town against throat infections.
The group then proceeds to the niche of San Blas, where the bonfire is lit and fireworks and firecrackers are set off, after which locally produced wine and nuts are served.
Sunday February 1
9.30: The faithful gather again at the headquarters of the “Mayordomos” dignitaries (Calle Numancia, nº 9).
10.15: The group arrive at the Basílica de la Purísima for the blessing of the “pan bendito” and other loaves.
11.00: The procession of the Panes Benditos begins outside the Basílica, continuing to the Niche of San Blas. After the reciting of the Lord’s Prayer the procession continues before returning to the Basílica.
Route: Basílica, Martínez Corbalán, Plaza Mayor, Concejal Sebastián Pérez, Iglesia and the niche of San Blas. After the Lord's Prayer is recited, the route continues along Calle Morera, Calle Fortuna, Calle Parras, Calle Corredera, Calle Jabonería, Calle Hospital, Calle Pintor Miguel Palao, Calle España and back to the Basílica de la Purísima.
12.00: Holy Mass in honour of San Blas, followed by the handing out of bread.
16.30: The Plaza Mayor hosts the traditional San Blas Games, including an urban cross country run for all ages, a sack race, a greasy-pole climbing competition and other events.
19.00: At the headquarters of the Mayordomos in Calle Numancia hot chocolate and Blessed Bread are served for all.
20.00: The “Clavarios” proceed to their headquarters, where the standard of San Blas and the ceremonial staffs are handed over as they are named “Mayordomos” for the next fiestas osf San Blas in 2027.
Tuesday February 3
19.00: Holy Mass in honour of San Blas in the Basílica de la Purísima.
(Note: San Blas, or Saint Blaise, was an Armenian physician and 4th-century Christian martyr who is patron saint not only of physicians, healing and veterinarians but also, in different places of infants, animals, builders, stonecutters, carvers, drapers, wool workers, the wool industry, throats, defence against choking, ENT illnesses, Bradford, Italy, Sicily, Dubrovnik, Paraguay and Madeira!)
More visiting information is available from the tourist office of Yecla (email turismo@yecla.es) or, for more local events, news and visiting information in English, go to the home page of Yecla Today.
