With the arrival of Spring, Castellón de la Plana begins its celebrations with a festival in honour of Santa María Magdalena. A religious procession called the Pregó is held on the third Saturday of Lent, providing an occasion for both the local population and visitors to participate in festivities in the streets. The townsfolk then take part in the Romeria de les Canyes, one of the many traditional pilgrimages held throughout the province. The pilgrims carry canes topped with green ribbons and head towards the Hermitage of the Magdalena, the site of the ancient town. After a traditional religious ceremony, a number of popular activities are staged in a highly festive atmosphere. This is followed by a week of festivities, entertainment, concerts, fireworks and many other activities, including an offering of flowers to the Virgin of Lledó and the Processó de les Gaiates,a celebration in which each barrio of the city, with its queen and her court of honour, parade through the streets accompanying the Gaiata, a float that symbolizes the origin of the city. To participate in the action, the places to go are the Casetas (the meeting-places for each participating group), the Mesón del Vino (wine house) and the Crafts and Altemative Lifestyles Fair. In addition to these, other important feasts include the Patron Saint Fiesta honouring Santa Maria del Lledó on the first Sunday of May and Sant Pere Apostol celebrated in the Grao of Castellón de la Plana.
