Saint Michael fair and festivals
The Saint Michael fair and festivals is the town’s major festival. It dates back to 1326 when King James II founded the monastery, and it takes on a more official nature in 1446 when the fair was initiated by King John II to give the town an economic boost. In the nineteenth century they were recognised as patron-saint celebrations.
They are held during the second half of September and end on the 30th, the day after the feast of Saint Michael.
During these two weeks the Town Hall organises various cultural events and entertainment for the inhabitants of Lliria and its visitors to enjoy.
The pathway up to the monastery is filled with stalls of small candles and tapers which the pilgrims use to bless Saint Michael the Archangel. A funfair is also set up, with stalls that offer a variety of articles such as the traditional bastones, turrones and sugared almonds.
Amid the numerous cultural events in Lliria during the festival weeks it is worth mentioning the Feria Agroalimentaria y Comercial A Mos Redò -The Agro-Food and Trade Fair A Real Good Bite, Llíria products, the street decorations competition, the Bands concert, the guided tours, Valencian pelota, el tiro y arrastre, the horse and cart rides, the popular music concerts, the theatre, the dance, the firecrackers displays in the plaza Mayor and the firework displays.
The main religious acts are the Baixà on 28th September, where the statue of Saint Michael is taken from the monastery down to the Church of the Assumption, the Mass, the parade and the procession on the main festival day, 29th September, and the Pujà, taking the statue of the Archangel back up to the monastery, on 30th September.