St. Joseph's Day And Return Of The Swallows Celebration

St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration

St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration is a world-renowned tradition celebrating the annual return of the famous swallows to Capistrano. This tradition was started by Father O’Sullivan in the 1920s at Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic California landmark and home of the swallows, and is carried each year on March 19th.

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Event Information

2025 Event Schedule (2026 Schedule Coming Soon!)

This historic celebration full of tradition, community, and festivity, is celebrated annually on March 19, marking the return of our famous swallows to Capistrano and the coming of spring – a time of renewal and rebirth.

Typical highlights of the day include:

• Ringing of the historic bells• Live Mariachi music• Community presentations• Native American Storytelling• Flamenco dance performance• History of St. Joseph’s Day and Swallows Legend• St. Joseph’s Table Hosted by Vicky Carabini, MPF Board Member• Lecture by swallows expert, Dr. Charles Brown• Serra Chapel Tour with Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams • Coloring Pages• Station Tours• Bracelet and trucker hat making and more!

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS 2026 EVENT FLYER

Ticket Information – For Sale Wednesday, January 28th at 10:00 am

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Mission Members

St. Joseph’s Day is FREE for Mission Preservation Society Members! Members can reserve their tickets before hand to let us know they are coming. Become a Member today to attend St. Joseph’s Day for free!

General Public

Advance ticket sales begin Wednesday, January 28 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets will also be sold at the Main Entrance on the day of the event on March 19.

2026 Festival Admission*

Mission Members	FREE
Adults (18-59)	$20
Seniors (60+)	$17
Students (with valid ID)	$14
Youth (5+)	$14
Children (4 and younger)	FREE

* The following vouchers/promotions/offers are NOT valid for entry on St. Joseph’s Day: Complimentary Admission Guest Passes, CertifiKID, Gold Star, Groupon and Travel Zoo.

Ticket Policies

TICKET SALES FINALTicket sales are final. Mission San Juan Capistrano is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. It requires immense effort and administration to process ticket orders. We are unable to accommodate refunds or exchanges. Thank you for your understanding.

EVENT CANCELLATION POLICYShould there be conditions related to weather, rain, emergency or other conditions beyond control of Mission staff that should necessitate cancellation of the event, tickets will not be refunded. Please consider the cost of your tickets a charitable donation in support of Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic California landmark #200 and 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization #95-1904079.

Entertainment

“When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano” Performed by Recording Artist, Renee BondiWith Mariachi Tapatio de Los Angeles

Native American Basket Weavers

Duende Flamenco

Full Program to be Released Soon

Food Vendors

History of St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration

The swallows are said to migrate annually to Goya, Argentina in October, and return to their spring and summer home in San Juan Capistrano each March. The Swallows celebration began centuries ago when Mission padres observed that the birds’ return roughly coincided with St. Joseph’s Day on the church calendar, March 19. The celebration has achieved international prominence since then.

In his book, Capistrano Nights, Father St. John O’Sullivan, Pastor of Mission San Juan Capistrano 1910-33, relates how the swallows first came to call the Mission home. One day, while walking through town, Fr. O’Sullivan saw a shopkeeper, broomstick in hand, knocking down the conically shaped mud swallow nests that were under the eaves of his shop. The birds were darting back and forth through the air squealing over the destruction of their homes.

“What in the world are you doing?” Fr. O’Sullivan asked.

“Why, these dirty birds are a nuisance and I am getting rid of them!” the shopkeeper responded.

“But where can they go?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care,” he replied, slashing away with his pole. “But they’ve no business here, destroying my property.”

Fr. O’Sullivan then said, “Come on swallows, I’ll give you shelter. Come to the Mission. There’s room enough there for all.”

SWALLOWS STORY MISSION HISTORY

St. Joseph’s Day Table

Sponsored by Mission Preservation Foundation Board Member Vicky Carabini

Mission Swallows Policy Statement

Our signature swallow consists of an illustrative fork tail swallow, in-flight. This type of swallow art is unique to the Mission San Juan Capistrano brand because of its popularity in the 1930s and usage in vintage and historic memorabilia. The American public, and even the world at large, has come to associate the Mission San Juan Capistrano landmark as the home of these famed birds. When the Mission portrays the literal swallows, we use the photographic, authentic and real life image. In graphic form, we use the romantic version, fork tailed, in-flight swallow.

Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors for their support of St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration 2026

Vicky and Michael Carabini

Costco Wholesale San Juan Capistrano #429

Cityside Fiber | Built for SoCal

Underwriting and Sponsorships

Underwriting and sponsorships available for all events, for more information please contact Stephanie Montes de Oca, Events Director at (949) 234-1316 or by emailing [email protected].

Getting to San Juan

Take the train to San Juan Capistrano to avoid traffic and parking. The Metrolink and Amtrak both stop in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Swallows Parade Shuttle: There is a shuttle service on Saturday, March 23 for the Swallows Day Parade; provided by the City of San Juan Capistrano.

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Discover Downtown

St. Joseph’s Day ends at 3pm. The Swallows Day Parade takes place on Saturday, March 23 from 11am until approximately 2pm. Plan your whole visit to historic San Juan Capistrano for dining, shopping and exploring before and after the festivities by checking out all our recommendation destinations!

Map & Guide

Swallows Day Parade

The traditions of celebrating the return of the swallows have grown into a community-wide season of festivities in San Juan Capistrano. The Fiesta de las Golondrinas is a series of events, hosted by the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association, celebrating the return of the swallow to Capistrano.

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