The Festivities in Honour of the Holy Child Jesus and Saint John of God.

September is here, bringing with it some of the most special celebrations for the people of Gaucín:

The Festivities in Honour of the Holy Child Jesus and Saint John of God.

 In 2026, we celebrate the 490h anniversary of the encounter between Juan Ciudad and the Holy Child Jesus.

For this reason, on 8 March, our local resident Juan Luis Moyano was invited to deliver the traditional Pregón in honour of Saint John of God and the Holy Child.

We are delighted to share his words with you, together with the programme of festivities that will take place on 30 August, and on 7 and 8 September.We invite you to join us in these celebrations as an expression of the spirit and heartfelt devotion shared by the people of Gaucín.

PILGRIMAGE TO LA ADELFILLA

30 AUGUST 2026

8.30 am: Departure of the Holy Child from San Sebastián Church.

9.00 am: The pilgrimage begins along the old Gibraltar Way.

11.00 am: Arrival at La Adelfilla, followed by a commemorative ceremony marking the 490th Anniversary of the Encounter.

11.30 am: Pilgrimage Mass celebrated by our parish priest, Fr Miguel Ángel Reina, with music provided by the San Pablo Pilgrimage Choir.

1.00 pm: Traditional fiesta with live music by the group Aguardiente.

2.00 pm: Free paella for all pilgrims.

6.00 pm: Return pilgrimage along the old Gibraltar Way, followed by the ascent to Eagle Castle, accompanied by the “Villa de Gaucín” Band.

31 AUGUST TO 8 SEPTEMBER (CASTLE HERMITAGE)

 7.30 pm: Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

8.00 pm: Holy Mass.

Monday, 31 August

Renewal of marriage vows.

Tuesday, 1 September

Renewal of baptismal promises.

Wednesday, 2 September

Offering and prayer for all the sick in the village, with the Anointing of the Sick celebrated during Mass.

Thursday, 3 September

Prayer for priestly vocations.

Friday, 4 September

Veneration of the Relic of St John of God.

Saturday, 5 September

Blessing of the people of Gaucín from the Castle with the Blessed Sacrament (before Mass).

Sunday, 6 September

Presentation of the children born during the year.

Monday 7 September

7.00 pm: Procession from the Castle to the Parish Church with the patron images of the Brotherhood. Floral offering and prayers for the deceased in front of the Cemetery.

8.00 pm: Holy Mass for the faithful departed.

Tuesday, 8 September

12.00 noon: Solemn Mass at the Parish Church.

5.30 pm: Solemn Procession.

 PROGRAMME OF FESTIVITIES

MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

8.00 am: Diana Floreada through the streets of our village, performed by the “Villa de Gaucín” Municipal Band.

Route: Starting at Calle Luis Armiñán (New Town Hall), Paseo Ana Toval, La Morena neighbourhood, Calle Barrio del Carmen, Calle Barrio Alto, Matías Corner, Plaza del Santo Niño, Calle Cañamaque, Calle Alta, Calle Los Bancos, and Calle Luis Armiñán (breakfast for the band and those accompanying them).

Everyone in the village is warmly invited to join in and take part in the dawn serenade.

12.00 noon: Solemn ringing of the church bells to announce the eve of our village’s main feast day.

7.00 pm: Procession bringing the images of the Santo Niño and San Juan de Dios down from the Castle Chapel to the Parish Church of San Sebastián, where Holy Mass and the eighth day of the novena will be celebrated. On the way, we will make a floral offering at the cemetery gates and pray for the departed members of our village. We will welcome the holy images at the entrance to the church, followed by the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by our parish priest.

11.00 pm: Traditional  fiesta in the Plaza del Santo Niño, with live music from “DYNAMIC” and “GRUPO LATIDOS”.

TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER

THE 490TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENCOUNTER AT LA ADELFILLA. Proclamation. Juan Luis Moyano

Photos by Elías García Muñoz