It’s Swallows Season in San Juan Capistrano, and enjoyable will quickly take flight – NBC 7 San Diego

SWALLOWS SUMMONING SPRINGTIME: The peacocks roaming Arcadia and elements of the San Gabriel Valley in colourful style, the chatty parrots of Pasadena, and the candy snowy plovers that dart across the seashores of Santa Monica through the cooler months: So many Southern California spots are synonymous with particular birds, and typically throughout particular instances of the 12 months. But essentially the most well-known duo of all could be San Juan Capistrano and the valuable little swallow, a pairing that has been immortalized in track, legend, and an annual parade that has rolled for properly over six a long time. The story paying tribute to this cute avian customer and its migratory stay-over in San Juan Capistrano is thought by many: Swallows are stated to return to the mission city round St. Joseph’s Day, which is March 19, with a departure in late October. Peering upwards and on the lookout for swallows’ nest within the nooks and crannies of Mission San Juan Capistrano is a well-liked pastime because the climate grows hotter, as is becoming a member of the spirited mercado and celebration that takes place every March.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21… is the 2026 date for the 66th Annual Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire, with fairly ponies, ballet folklorico, bands, and children rocking cute chook costumes including to the festive air. The occasion is billed as “one of the nation’s largest non-motorized parades” and it is stuffed with proud horsemanship, historic odes, and celebratory music. The parade begins at 11 a.m., whereas the mercado will happen all through the day, with meals on the market, reside country-and-western tunes, and dancing. If you are in a position to wing by the historic village on St. Joseph’s Day, the mission will honor the swallows on March 19 (ticket data is on the location). Your greatest wager? There’s a practice cease steps away from each occasions, with Amtrak and Metrolink serving San Juan Capistrano.