Thread: Festivals & Fiestas of the Costa Blanca

Festivals & Fiestas of the Costa Blanca 1

Festivals & Fiestas of the Costa Blanca Spain is the home of the fiesta. Find out about the origins, and what to expect from each of the main the annual calendar of the Costa Blanca towns and villages.
Spain is known for its festivals (fiestas) many of which originated in religious events but have evolved to be a more general celebrations. Every city, town and village has its own festival which includes feasting, colourful processions, fireworks and partying.
Here is an introduction to the most significant fiestas in the annual Costa Blanca calendar.

Semana Santa - Holy Week
Easter week is the most important Catholic tradition of the year in Spain. It begins on Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and ends on Lunes de Pascua (Easter Monday).
There are street processions with colourful confetti and a carnival atmosphere every night on the Costa Blanca where religious icons are paraded through the streets, in re-enactments of the passion of Christ.
While celebrations take place all over the coast, noteworthy processions are:
In Crevillent on Tuesday before Good Friday The Holy Burial Procession in Orihuela on Easter Saturday The Palm Sunday procession in Elche which dates back to 1371

Moros y Cristianos- Moors & Christians
This festival commemorates the Reconquista, or the re-establishment of Christian rule in Spain.
Locals dress as either Moors or Christians for the occasion and re-enact battles. Costumes are spectacular and there are firework displays.
Towns celebrate Moros y Cristianos on different dates:
The town of Alcoy and Baneres in Alicante celebrate at the end of April Altea celebrates in the last week of September. For more information see website MorosyCristianos

The Hogueras de San Juan- San Juan Bonfires
An amalgamation of the ancient pagan celebration of the summer solstice, and the Christian feast of San Juan in June which sees Hogueras (paper maché figures) placed around town. Live music and dancing take place through the night.
The culmination of the festivities is El Dia de San Juan when a huge palm tree shaped firework is set off from Alicante castle and simultaneously the Hogueras are set alight. A beauty contest accompanies the celebrations. Five nights of fireworks, starting at midnight, follow the fiesta.
San Vicente Ferrer
This fiesta is one of the most important for the town of Teulada and honours the patron saint, Vincente Ferrer who was born and lived in the town. Ferrer is said to have blessed the town to protect it from the plague.
Ten days of colourful parades, live music and dancing and religious re-enactments take place in the week around 15 April.
Celebrations are also held in San Vicente del Raspeig the weekend following Easter Sunday.
For more information see website Teulada-Moraira

http://www.spanishdreamproperty.com/
info@spanishdreamproperty.com

Tel 08432896384 low cost call


In Norwich City football
kit

The next Moros and Cristianos fiesta on the Costa Blanca, is here in Rojales..It starts on wednesday 29th june with a solemn procession through the town..On thursday is the battle in the square. We don't have a real castle but the museum is decked out to look like one. (ear plugs or cotton wool recommended) its very noisy, and not suitable for young children) Friday is the Charanga,(fancy dress parade)... The main event, The desfile is a must, especially if you haven't seen one before..The costumes are incredible. It is on saturday 2nd and sunday 3rd july. well worth a visit one of those evenings if you are in the area.
CD

If you attend the thursday market in Rojales, the venue has been changed for the next three weeks, due to the market area being prepared for the fiesta. The market is being held in the streets between the two road bridges in the town.
CD

There are so many Festivals throughout Spain.. and so many are religiously based!

Without a doubt my favourite one is "La tomatina", the famous tomato throwing festival in Buñol, Valencia...

Has anyone else ever attended this one?!

No, and as I don't like tomatoes I am unlikely to do so! However if you fancy having wine thrown over you, why not visit Jumilla in August for their (in)famous Gran Cabalgata? If anybody is interested, please ask me for more details.

Sue

I think we're out too late for the red wine throwing.....what date in August is it this year Sue?

The Fiesta de la Vendimia is between 13 August (date of the miniferia del vino) and 20th August (Gran Cabalgata del Vino, with the wine-throwing!)

Once I have the full details (probably one day beforehand!) I will post a link.

Sue

Originally Posted by Sue and John

The Fiesta de la Vendimia is between 13 August (date of the miniferia del vino) and 20th August (Gran Cabalgata del Vino, with the wine-throwing!)

Once I have the full details (probably one day beforehand!) I will post a link.

Sue

Yeah we're out too late this year ;-)

Originally Posted by JazminesII

Yeah we're out too late this year ;-)

Then you are also missing the San Javier Jazz festival, which began yesterday and is on until the end of july The programme is available at http//jaz.san javier.es/en for anyone interested. A full report is also in ths weeks Coastrider newspaper.(available online)
CD

I've mentioned it before, but just a reminder, the Moros y Cristianos (desfile), parades are on this weekend 2nd and 3rd July in Rojales, Alicante. The costumes are out of this world. Why not come along on one of the evenings, if you are in the area..You need to be there by at least 8pm. There is also a fairground, and all the different organizations involved will have there own areas set aside for music and dancing after the event They go on all night, thurs fri and saturday. and are pretty noisy as they are in competition with each other. All are welcome.
CD