What to KnowSt. Joseph’s Day & the Return of the Swallows Celebration will take place at Mission San Juan Capistrano March 19; an adult ticket is $20 (other ticketing tiers are available)The 66th Annual Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire is set for Saturday, March 21San Juan Capistrano

SWALLOWS SUMMONING SPRINGTIME: The peacocks roaming Arcadia and parts of the San Gabriel Valley in colorful fashion, the chatty parrots of Pasadena, and the sweet snowy plovers that dart around the beaches of Santa Monica during the cooler months: So many Southern California spots are synonymous with specific birds, and sometimes during specific times of the year. But the most famous duo of all might be San Juan Capistrano and the precious little swallow, a pairing that has been immortalized in song, legend, and an annual parade that has rolled for well over six decades. The tale paying tribute to this adorable avian visitor and its migratory stay-over in San Juan Capistrano is known by many: Swallows are said to return to the mission town around St. Joseph’s Day, which is March 19, with a departure in late October. Peering upwards and looking for swallows’ nest in the nooks and crannies of Mission San Juan Capistrano is a popular pastime as the weather grows warmer, as is joining the spirited mercado and celebration that takes place each March.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21… is the 2026 date for the 66th Annual Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire, with pretty ponies, ballet folklorico, bands, and kids rocking cute bird costumes adding to the festive air. The event is billed as “one of the nation’s largest non-motorized parades” and it is full of proud horsemanship, historical odes, and celebratory music. The parade starts at 11 a.m., while the mercado will take place throughout the day, with food for sale, live country-and-western tunes, and dancing. If you’re able to wing by the historic village on St. Joseph’s Day, the mission will honor the swallows on March 19 (ticket information is on the site). Your best bet? There’s a train stop steps away from both events, with Amtrak and Metrolink serving San Juan Capistrano.