Santa María & Sant Ciriac: Ibiza Town's Patron Saint Feasts
Two patron saint days, three days apart, closing with midnight fireworks over the port.
Ibiza Town honours its two patron celebrations each August: Santa María de les Neus on 5 August, tied to the Dalt Vila cathedral's founding in 1235, and Sant Ciriac on 8 August, marking the island's Catalan conquest. The programme peaks at midnight on 8 August with a fireworks display over the old port wall.
When
Santa María de les Neus: 5 August 2026. Sant Ciriac: 8 August 2026. Both fall inside the wider Festes de la Terra period, 30 July–11 August 2026 (Source: Ajuntament d’Eivissa).
Where
Dalt Vila and the port of Ibiza Town. The Sant Ciriac Chapel stands inside the old town walls; the fireworks launch from the old port wall below.
Highlight
Midnight fireworks on 8 August over the port, around 18 minutes, roughly 410 kg of pyrotechnics, organised by the Consell Insular d’Eivissa (Source: Periódico de Ibiza, 3 Aug 2026).
Getting there
Walk from the town centre; no parking inside the walls. Nearest paid car parks: Parking Es Pratet and Parking del Puerto, five minutes from the main gate. Expect road closures near midnight on 8 August.
Why does Ibiza Town keep two patron saint days in August?
Both dates trace back to the same event: the Catalan conquest of Ibiza on 8 August 1235. Sant Ciriac’s feast happened to fall that same day, so the city adopted him as patron in 1650. Three days earlier on the liturgical calendar, 5 August, is the feast of Santa María de les Neus, the Marian dedication the conquerors gave to the cathedral they built on Dalt Vila’s summit; the two dates have been kept together ever since (Source: cristodelcementerio.com, 2026; ibizalovers.es).
Santa María de les Neus
Patroness of the Diocese of Ibiza and Formentera. The Dalt Vila cathedral, the first church raised after the 1235 conquest, is dedicated to her. In 2026, the city’s civic programme for the day includes live music, with acts such as Billy Flamingos and Statuas de Sal performing in Ibiza Town (Source: Periódico de Ibiza, 23 July 2026).
Sant Ciriac
A 4th-century martyr whose feast day coincided with the 1235 conquest, read by the conquerors as a sign; proclaimed patron saint of Ibiza Town in 1650. Inside Dalt Vila, the small Sant Ciriac Chapel, built in 1754, marks the spot where troops are said to have first entered the citadel (Source: ibizalovers.es; turismo.eivissa.es).
What happens on 8 August 2026?
Sant Ciriac day combines tradition and celebration across Ibiza Town, closing at midnight with the fireworks display over the port (Source: Periódico de Ibiza, 23 July & 3 August 2026).
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1
Berenada Popular
Communal afternoon snack gathering at Puig des Molins, open to everyone.
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2
Football match
Local match at the Can Misses ground.
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3
Evening concerts
Live music at Parc Reina Sofia and Plaça del Parc through the evening.
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4
Midnight fireworks
Around 18 minutes, roughly 410 kg of pyrotechnics, launched from the old port wall by contractor Fuegos Artificiales del Mediterráneo on behalf of the Consell Insular d’Eivissa, which sets up an extensive security perimeter around the harbour.
Where can I watch the fireworks, and where can I eat nearby?
The port and the harbour-front promenade of Ibiza Town give a direct, unobstructed view of the display. For a free, elevated alternative away from the crowds at sea level, the Bastions Sant Jordi & Sant Bernat in Dalt Vila, the highest viewpoint in the old town, look straight down over the port and out to sea; see our walking route to reach them. Several restaurants near the marina, including venues such as ROTO Ibiza and Montesol Experimental, run dinner packages timed to the show (Source: Ibiza Spotlight; La Voz de Ibiza, 2026); this is a single-source detail, so confirm current availability directly with the venue before booking. Tables and terrace spots fill up well in advance of 8 August.
Arrive in the afternoon, see the Sant Ciriac Chapel and the cathedral, then head down to the port before midnight for the display. See our practical visiting guide for gates, hours and routes.
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Frequently asked questions
- What are the San Ciriaco and Santa María feasts?
- They are Ibiza Town’s two patron saint celebrations: Santa María de les Neus on 5 August and Sant Ciriac on 8 August. Both sit inside the wider Festes de la Terra programme and combine religious tradition with concerts, family activities and fireworks.
- When do the San Ciriaco and Santa María feasts take place in 2026?
- Santa María de les Neus falls on 5 August 2026 and Sant Ciriac on 8 August 2026, three days apart by design. Both dates fall inside the broader Festes de la Terra period, 30 July to 11 August 2026.
- What time are the fireworks on 8 August?
- The main fireworks display launches at midnight on 8 August from the old wall of Ibiza Town’s port. It lasts around 18 minutes and uses roughly 410 kg of pyrotechnic material.
- Where is the best place to watch the Sant Ciriac fireworks?
- The port and the harbour-front promenade give a direct view of the display over the old port wall. For a free, elevated view without the crowds, head to the Bastions Sant Jordi & Sant Bernat in Dalt Vila, the highest viewpoint in the old town. Some marina-front restaurants run dinner packages timed around the show; book ahead, as tables fill quickly.
- What is Santa María de les Neus and why 5 August?
- Santa María de les Neus (Our Lady of the Snows) is the patroness of the Diocese of Ibiza. The Dalt Vila cathedral, the first church built after the 1235 conquest, was dedicated to her, and her 5 August feast day was the closest Marian date on the calendar to the conquest anniversary.
- Who was Sant Ciriac and why is he Ibiza’s patron saint?
- Sant Ciriac is a 4th-century martyr whose liturgical feast day, 8 August, coincided with the 1235 Catalan conquest of Ibiza. The coincidence was read as a sign, and Sant Ciriac was proclaimed patron saint of Ibiza Town in 1650.
- What happens in Dalt Vila on Sant Ciriac day?
- The Sant Ciriac Chapel inside Dalt Vila marks the spot where, according to tradition, Christian troops entered the walled city in 1235. The chapel was built by the city council in 1754 and can be visited as part of a Dalt Vila walk on and around 8 August.
- What else is on the programme for 8 August 2026?
- Alongside the midnight fireworks, 8 August 2026 includes the Berenada Popular gathering at Puig des Molins, concerts at Parc Reina Sofia and Plaça del Parc, and a football match at Can Misses.
- Are the San Ciriaco and Santa María festivities free?
- Yes. The fireworks, concerts, processions and the Berenada Popular are free, municipally organised events. Only optional extras, such as a restaurant dinner package with a fireworks view, carry a cost.
- How do I get to Ibiza Town for the fireworks?
- Ibiza Town’s port and Dalt Vila are walkable from the town centre. There is no parking inside the walls; the nearest paid car parks are Parking Es Pratet and Parking del Puerto, both five minutes on foot from the old town gate. Expect road closures and extra buses around midnight on 8 August.
- How crowded does Ibiza Town get during the fireworks?
- Very. The midnight display is the single biggest annual gathering in Ibiza Town, drawing both holidaymakers and residents to the port and promenade. Arrive at least an hour early for a clear view, and expect the extensive port-area security perimeter set up by the Consell Insular.
Sources
Information gathered and independently cross-checked from: Ibiza Spotlight, "Fiesta de San Ciriaco" (accessed 6 August 2026); Ajuntament d’Eivissa, official fiestas page (accessed 6 August 2026); Periódico de Ibiza, fireworks logistics (3 August 2026); Periódico de Ibiza, full programme (23 July 2026); Ibizalovers, Sant Ciriac history; Eivissa Turismo, Sant Ciriac Chapel. Dates and logistics for municipally organised events can change; verify current details on the Ajuntament d’Eivissa website before travelling. Last verified: 6 August 2026.
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