FreeArts & Culture
Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Street Faire
San Juan Capistrano, CA
Free to watch
By Simir Shah
Billed as one of the largest non-motorized parades in the country, it celebrates the swallows' legendary return to the Mission, with horses, marching bands and folklorico dancers. The parade steps off at 11am in the historic downtown and Los Rios area, with a Mercado street fair and an awards ceremony at Historic Town Center Park. Take the train in, because roads close and downtown parking fills early.
Good for
- Ages 10+
Happening near here
- Día de los Muertos Altar at Mission San Juan CapistranoSan Juan Capistrano · <1 mi
- Haunted Trails (Laguna Niguel)Laguna Niguel · 3 mi
- Little Folk Club Halloween Singalong (Bump Out Park)Dana Point · 4 miFree
- San Clemente Pumpkins & Harvest Festival (Outlets at San Clemente)San Clemente · 4 mi
South OC depth 2026Annual parade
Map
Nearby places
Historic Town Center Park & San Juan Summer NitesSan Juan Capistrano · Arts & Culture<1 miMission San Juan CapistranoSan Juan Capistrano · Arts & Culture<1 miRiver Street Ranch (formerly Zoomars)San Juan Capistrano · Animals & Nature<1 miCapistrano Depot: Train Ride to the BeachSan Juan Capistrano · Theme Parks & Rides<1 miLos Rios Historic DistrictSan Juan Capistrano · Museums & Learning<1 miO'Neill Museum and Historic Walking TourSan Juan Capistrano · Museums & Learning<1 mi
Keep planning
Eat nearby in San Juan Capistrano
- Ricardo's PlaceMexican & Tacos · $$ · kids menu
- Trevor's on the TracksBurgers & American · $$
- Ballpark PizzaPizza & Italian · $
- El Maguey Mexican RestaurantMexican & Tacos · $