October 9th Regional Day Festivities

October 9th is a day for regional celebrations dating back to the arrival of James I the Conqueror in Valencia in the 13th Century. The festivities also pay homage to Saint Dionysius, the patron saint of lovers. It is customary for men to give a gift of a silk scarf known in the region as a 'Mocaorà' with an assortment of marzipan inside, to their lovers on this day. 

The schedule of events includes fireworks at midnight on October 8th to mark the start of the celebrations, and on the following day the royal regional flag is lowered and paraded from the Basilica of Santa María to the City Hall, stopping off at the Jaume I statue to make a floral offering along the way. 

Later that day, a terrestrial Mascletà is thrown at La Virgen square and the re-enactment of the Christians and Moors entry parade rounds off the schedule of activities on our regional day.