The Swallows Return

The Swallows Return

St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows celebration takes place on Saturday, March 19th at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The swallows are said to migrate to Goya, Argentina every 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. The celebration has achieved international prominence since then.

“People from all around the world come to the town of San Juan Capistrano to share in the rich tradition that defines St. Joseph’s Day at Mission San Juan Capistrano,” said Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, Executive Director of the Mission. “We are grateful for our swallows history as a means of welcoming the public and sharing this incredible historic resource with them and to invite the public to take part in all that we have to offer – dances, entertainment, bell ringing, exhibits and the opportunity to connect with family and friends.”

The celebration will include many events and activities, including live music, community presentations, special guest “Swallows Speakers,” Mission Parish school performances, ringing of the historic bells, an official press conference and history of St. Joseph’s Day and the swallows legend.

The celebration begins at 9:30 a.m. with a performance in the front courtyard by Mariachi Capistrano and will continue into the afternoon, concluding with the ringing of the historic bells at 3 p.m.

The day also will feature a Native American dance performance on the Central Courtyard stage beginning at 1 p.m., and later in the afternoon, a lecture by Dr. Charles R. Brown, a professor of Biological Sciences at University of Tulsa who has studied swallows since age 11. On Saturday, March 26th, the celebration continues with the Swallows Day Parade in Downtown San Juan Capistrano beginning at 11 a.m.