Magdalena 2027 in Castellon: guide from Valencia

Magdalena is the main festival of Castellon de la Plana, and each year local residents and visitors gather around the pilgrimage and the gaiatas. From Valencia, the visit works as a day trip or as a full weekend depending on the programme that is finally confirmed.

This guide sets out what verified sources support today and separates confirmed facts from details that the City Council still has to announce. You will find how Magdalena differs from Fallas and how to arrive by train. Before you leave, check the page for Castellon de la Plana and the festival page at Magdalena.

Magdalena or Fallas: how they differ

Magdalena and Fallas are separate festivals in separate cities, and that point matters when you plan March. Magdalena takes place in Castellon de la Plana and recalls the move of the population from the Magdalena hill down to the plain. Fallas takes place in Valencia and centres on the falla monuments that burn on 19 March.

The clearest symbol of Magdalena is the gaiata, an illuminated monument that represents the staff and lantern from that founding move. Across Castellon the gaiatas stand lit through the festival week.

The dates sit close together in the calendar without fully overlapping. If you want to compare both festivals within one trip, read the guide to Fallas in Valencia and the Valencia festival calendar before you fix your days.

Many people from Valencia use the short distance between the two cities to see Magdalena in one day and keep other days for Fallas.

Dates and key events 2027

The Magdalena festival dates table lists 27 February 2027 as the start date for the 2027 edition. The official programme with times belongs to Castellon City Council and the Junta de Festes.

Until that programme appears, this guide avoids giving exact event times. The sensible step is to note the start date and check the official confirmation as the festival draws closer.

The event that shapes the week is the Romeria de les Canyes on the Sunday, known as the day of Magdalena festa plena. That Sunday holds the pilgrimage to the hermitage and sets the tone for the rest of the week. The traditional close is the Magdalena Vitol, which ends the edition until the following year.

To fit the trip around other festivals in the year, cross this date with the Valencia 2027 calendar. That view shows whether Magdalena 2027 sits near other public holidays you already have marked. If the official programme brings changes, the City Council version always takes priority.

Romeria de les Canyes and gaiatas

The Romeria de les Canyes is a pilgrimage to the Magdalena hermitage held on the festival Sunday. Thousands of people walk from Castellon to the hermitage carrying les canyes, the green canes that recall the founding move of the city. The day has a popular and open character.

The hermitage stands in the area of the hill where the original settlement stood. Walking there forms part of the meaning of the event, so wear comfortable shoes and allow plenty of time.

The gaiatas form the other main focus of the festival. They are illuminated monuments that represent the staff with its lantern, and they stand across the city through the week.

Seeing the gaiatas at night and walking the pilgrimage by day are two plans that fit well within one visit. If you have one day only, the pilgrimage Sunday offers the fullest experience. If you have two days, keep one evening free to walk between the gaiatas at a calm pace.

What to do each day in Castellon

Without confirmed official times for 2027, a day plan should use blocks rather than fixed hours. The first block is arrival and an orientation walk through the centre of Castellon.

Keep the Sunday for the Romeria de les Canyes. Set out early, walk to the hermitage and save energy for the return. Later in the day the city stays in festival mode and you can rest before heading out again after dark.

Another block of the trip is the night walk around the gaiatas. Move from one gaiata to another without any attempt to see them all in a single night.

The final block is the close with the Magdalena Vitol. If your return to Valencia falls on that day, leave a wide margin after the closing event. For other trips that suit this format, see the day trips from Valencia.

How to get there from Valencia by train

From Valencia the rail option is the C6 Cercanias corridor and the regional services that link Valencia with Castellon. That corridor is the usual reference for reaching Castellon without a car. Castellon station leaves the traveller within walking distance of the festival centre.

This guide gives no train times and no prices because they change by day and by service type. Check Renfe before you leave and check the return train as well. Demand rises on festival days, and you should locate the last reasonable return option in advance.

On pilgrimage day the city receives large crowds and access points can feel busier than usual. Arrive with time to spare and avoid reliance on a single train if your plan depends on one specific event.

If you want to chain Castellon with other places without a car, the guide on how to reach towns without a car sets out the general approach. The same order applies here: first the official festival programme and then the Renfe timetable for your exact day.

Where to eat during Magdalena

During Magdalena, eating in Castellon takes more planning than in a normal week. Places in the centre face heavy demand and peak hours fill quickly. Booking ahead where a venue allows it is the most practical step.

On pilgrimage Sunday many people eat around the hermitage or carry food for an outdoor day. If you prefer a seated meal in the city, plan the return walk with enough time in hand.

On weekdays the pace eases a little and finding a table away from the central hours gets easier. Moving a few streets away from the busiest points often opens up options. Asking in the neighbourhood where you happen to be works well.

Whatever your plan, place lunch in the day before you fix the remaining events. An unhurried meal in the middle of the festival forms part of the Castellon experience. With a booking made or food carried from home, the rest of the day falls into place.

Frequently asked questions

When does Magdalena 2027 start?

The festival dates table lists 27 February 2027 as the start of the 2027 edition. Castellon City Council and the Junta de Festes confirm the official programme with times, so check that programme when it appears.

What is the Romeria de les Canyes?

It is the pilgrimage to the Magdalena hermitage held on the festival Sunday, the day of Magdalena festa plena. People walk from Castellon to the hermitage carrying les canyes in memory of the founding move of the city.

What is a gaiata?

A gaiata is an illuminated monument that represents the staff and lantern from the founding move. Gaiatas stand in the streets of Castellon through Magdalena week, and the night lighting is one of the most followed moments of the festival.

How does Magdalena differ from Fallas?

Magdalena is the festival of Castellon and centres on the pilgrimage and the gaiatas. Fallas is the festival of Valencia, and its monuments burn on 19 March. The two cities run separate programmes that you should check on their own terms.

How do I reach Castellon from Valencia without a car?

Travel by train on the C6 Cercanias corridor and the regional services between Valencia and Castellon. Check Renfe for times on your travel day before you leave and check the return as well, because services vary by day.

How does Magdalena end?

The festival closes with the Magdalena Vitol, the farewell event of the edition. If you travel back to Valencia that day, leave a wide margin after the closing event and confirm your return train with Renfe in advance.