The Festes de la Puríssima are Ontinyent's main festival, in honour of the town's patron saint, the Immaculate Conception. They have been held since 1642 with the greatest solemnity. Since 2026 they have been officially recognised as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest of the Valencian Community, acknowledging more than four centuries of patron-saint celebrations. The star of the festival is the traditional Bou Embolat, the Bou en Corda: three bulls on a rope, with capped horns, that run through the streets for two afternoons and that, for many people in Ontinyent, are the year's great day of reunion.
The Cant dels Angelets
The prelude to the festival is one of the town's treasures: the Anunci Angèlic (Angelic Announcement), sung by children, els Angelets. This melody, believed to date from around 1660, is listed as an Intangible Asset of Local Importance. Today it is usually sung the week after La Fira, before the opening proclamation. When it ends, someone shouts "Visca la Puríssima Concepció!", everyone answers, followed by a much-loved cry: "Bou! Bou a la Vila!" ("The bull! The bull in the old town!").
7 and 8 December
- 7 December, the eve: a lantern parade and the year's most crowded outing of the Gegants i Cabets (giants and big-heads) through the streets of La Vila and El Raval. At night, Ontinyent's oldest and most solemn dansà (folk dance).
- 8 December: it starts early with the ringing of the Puríssima bell and the Descobrir mass, followed by the Rosary through the streets, fireworks at dawn, the bells of the Repiquet de la Puríssima, High Mass and a mascletà (firecracker display). In the afternoon comes the main procession, led by the giants and big-heads and followed by the Arquets, Veta and Cavallets dances. When the image reaches the church door, fireworks light up the sky.
On the day of the bull, every home in Ontinyent cooks the traditional cassola al forn (baked rice).
Programme
Check each year's events in the Events section.
