The Festival of La Candelera or Candlemas is on February 2nd, 40 days after Christmas. It celebrates the presentation of Jesus at the temple and the purification of his mother, Mary, and is the motive for a number of winter festivals around Catalonia.
The purification is an obligatory Jewish ritual based on the offering and blessing of candles and Candlemas was traditionally when the nativity scene was taken down as it marked the end of the Christmas period.
The presentation of Jesus at the temple and the purification of Mary is one of the oldest festivals attributed to Mary. It was introduced into the Christian liturgy by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD.
Festes de La Candelera
The Festival of La Candelera is on February 2nd, 40 days after Christmas, and celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the temple and the purification of his mother, Mary. It is the reason for a number of winter festivals around Catalonia.
Around Catalonia
- Festa de la Candelera in Castelló d’Empúries (l’Alt Empordà)
- Festa Major de la Candelera in Palau-saverdera (l’Alt Empordà)
- Festa major de la Candelera in L’Ametlla de Mar (el Baix Ebre)
- Festa de la Candelera in Calafell (el Baix Penedès)