Telepeer

Mission San Juan Capistrano welcomes home the swallows with annual celebration day

March 20, 2026

King Jacob Brown and Queen Hailey Frances are introduced with the rest of the court during the St. Joseph’s Day & Return of the Swallows celebration at Mission San Juan Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Thursday, March 19, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

1 of 15

Expand

Dancing swallows were a highlight of Thursday’s celebration of the migrating birds’ return to the region at the Mission San Juan Capistrano.

While the small birds fly an impressive 6,000-mile journey during their annual migration from Argentina, they haven’t yet developed the ability to dance. Instead, the flock earning applause Thursday, March 19, were first graders from the neighboring Mission Basilica School who provided part of the entertainment during the mission’s annual celebration.

The Return of the Swallows event is paired with the mission’s St. Joseph’s Day celebration and featured a Mass, the ringing of the mission’s bells, educational programs, dance performances and the singing of “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano,” written in 1939 and performed by the likes of Glenn Miller, Gene Autry, Pat Boone and Elvis Presley.

Like the United States of America, the mission is also marking its 250th anniversary this year, and a flyover of historic planes was planned in honor.

The community’s celebration of the swallows continues.

On Friday, March 20, the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association, which organizes the annual Swallows Day Parade in town, is hosting the ninth annual frog-jumping contest at 4 p.m. in Los Rios Park. Friday is also Hoos’Gow Day, a lighthearted fundraiser, with the Fiesta Association’s sheriff and deputies searching the streets of downtown San Juan Capistrano for city slickers not in Western wear who may be thrown in jail until they make bail with a donation.

Now in its 66th year, the Swallows Day Parade will help cap off the fun Saturday, March 21, launching at 11 a.m. on El Camino Real and traveling on Ortega Highway to Del Obispo, then looping around down to Camino Capistrano, where it will end after La Zanja.

While the parade travels the city’s streets, it does not include vehicles. Entries are foot-powered or horse-drawn. There will be marching bands, equestrian groups, floats, community groups and more.

After the parade, the celebration continues with the Mercado Street Faire in the area of Historic Town Center Park. The fair will have shopping, lots of food, a kids play zone, music, dancing and more.

Swallows Day Parade

When: The parade launches at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21; the fair continues until 5 p.m.

Where: Downtown San Juan Capistrano and around Historic Town Center Park at 31872 El Camino Real. The city will run two trolley routes; find them at swallowsdayparade.org/shuttles

Cost: Free

Information: swallowsdayparade.org

Mission San Juan Capistrano welcomes home the swallows with annual celebration day Orange County Register

News Details

Mission San Juan Capistrano welcomes home the swallows with annual celebration day

Swallows Day Parade

News

CONTACT INFO

QUICK LINKS

SERVICES

CURRENT NEWS