Fiestas

The big annual fiestas of the Costa Blanca — Hogueras, Moros y Cristianos, Misteri d'Elx and the town patronal feasts. Dates, traditions and how to actually attend.

• International interest 📅 Jun 20 – Jun 24 📍 Alicante

  Hogueras de San Juan, Alicante

  Five nights of giant satirical sculptures, nightly fireworks, fried-squid stalls, and a city-wide bonfire on 24 June. The biggest fiesta on the Costa Blanca and one of Spain's defining summer kick-offs.

• International interest 📅 Jul 24 – Jul 31 📍 Villajoyosa

  Moros y Cristianos de Villajoyosa

  The only Moros y Cristianos fiesta where the Moorish army actually arrives by sea — a dawn beach landing in full period costume, followed by a week of mock battles, parades and communal paella. Late July on the Marina Baixa coast.

• UNESCO heritage 📅 Aug 14 – Aug 15 📍 Elche

  Misteri d'Elx

  A 15th-century sung mystery play performed uninterrupted for over 500 years inside the Basilica de Santa María in Elche — UNESCO-recognised, mid-August. The oldest living opera in Europe, and one of the few UNESCO intangible-heritage fiestas you can watch for free.