If you want the main dates first, the standout events in Altea in 2026 are Semana Santa from 29 March to 5 April, Castell de l’Olla on Saturday 8 August at 23:59, and the late-September fiesta period, with Altea’s official local holidays set for 28 and 29 September 2026. Visit Altea also highlights major recurring celebrations such as Moros y Cristianos, L’Arbret de Sant Joan, Semana Santa and Castell de l’Olla as core parts of the town’s annual festive identity.
📅 Altea Festivity Calendar 2026
Altea is not the kind of place where one single event swallows the whole year. That is exactly why its calendar works so well. You have major headline moments like Semana Santa and Castell de l’Olla, but also a deeper layer of neighbourhood traditions, religious celebrations and cultural events that give the town its personality. The official tourism pages present Altea’s fiestas through that wider mix rather than as one isolated summer attraction.
Our tip: for Altea, the smartest structure is to separate confirmed 2026 anchor dates from annual recurring fixtures still awaiting their final 2026 programme. That keeps the guide useful and trustworthy instead of turning it into recycled filler. The town’s own tourism agenda is updated event by event across the year, which is a good clue that not everything should be treated as equally locked in months in advance.
The main confirmed dates in Altea in 2026
The first big confirmed block is Semana Santa de Altea 2026, which runs from 29 March to 5 April. Visit Altea has already published both the event page and the Holy Week programme, including the schedule of religious acts across the town’s churches.
The clearest summer highlight is Castell de l’Olla, one of Altea’s most iconic events. The official tourism page confirms that in 2026 it takes place on Saturday 8 August at 23:59, with the fireworks launched from platforms at sea off La Olla beach, which is exactly what makes it so distinctive.
Then comes the town’s big late-season festive period. The official provincial list of local holidays confirms 28 and 29 September 2026 as Altea’s local fiesta dates. In practical terms, that makes late September the key window to watch for Altea’s major patron celebrations and the wider festive atmosphere around the town.
The annual Altea traditions to watch in 2026
Beyond those confirmed headline dates, Altea has several annual fixtures that matter a lot to the town’s identity. Visit Altea specifically highlights celebrations such as Moros y Cristianos, Semana Santa, Castell de l’Olla and L’Arbret de Sant Joan as examples of the fiestas that define the town. That already tells you what belongs in the core of an Altea calendar, even before every final day-by-day programme is released.
One of the most useful official pages for this is the Neighbourhood Festivals section. It explains that the local fiestas are spread across different parts of Altea and notes, for example, that the festival of Sant Llorenç includes the Castell de l’Olla every summer on La Olla beach. That is important because it reminds people that Altea’s festive life is not just town-centre based; a lot of it is rooted in neighbourhood and district traditions.
That same local logic is why Altea feels richer than a generic “events destination.” It has the postcard appeal, yes, but it also has a real festive structure underneath it: old-town traditions, neighbourhood fiestas, religious dates, sea-linked celebrations and the big September cycle. That is a much stronger identity than just “nice town, good views, fireworks once a year.”
Extra cultural events in Altea
Altea’s tourism agenda also shows that the town is not only about classic fiestas. The official events pages list a steady stream of exhibitions, talks, concerts and cultural programming throughout the year, which means the calendar has value even outside the biggest traditional dates.
That broader cultural layer is worth mentioning in the article because it changes how people experience Altea. Some visitors come for Semana Santa, some for Castell de l’Olla, and others simply land in town during a cultural programme, artisan fair or seasonal event and end up finding a very different side of Altea than they expected. The official agenda makes clear that this town keeps moving year-round.
When to visit Altea for the best atmosphere
If you want the most iconic single event, go for Castell de l’Olla in August. If you want a more traditional and religious atmosphere, Semana Santa is the stronger choice. And if you want the period that usually feels most “local fiesta” in the broadest sense, late September is the one to watch because of the official local holidays and the wider festive importance of that period in Altea.
Locals say Altea is one of those towns that changes personality with the season. In spring it feels more reflective and traditional. In high summer it becomes more visual, more social and more open-air. Then in late September it swings back toward a more rooted local fiesta atmosphere. That seasonal rhythm is part of what makes this calendar genuinely useful.
Practical tips for enjoying the Altea festivities
If you are visiting for Castell de l’Olla, plan ahead. It is one of Altea’s flagship events and it is not the kind of thing you want to leave until the last minute. The official tourism description itself treats it as a standout event in the town’s calendar.
If you are aiming for a more traditional trip, Semana Santa is easier to build around because the official programme is already structured and published through the town’s tourism pages and church schedule. That gives you something firmer to work with than the more fluid summer and autumn event announcements.
And don’t lump everything under “Altea town centre.” Some of the most interesting fiesta traditions are tied to specific areas such as La Olla and other neighbourhoods, which is exactly why the official tourism site treats neighbourhood festivals as their own category.
FAQ about festivities in Altea in 2026❓
What are the biggest festivities in Altea in 2026?
The biggest confirmed highlights are Semana Santa de Altea from 29 March to 5 April, Castell de l’Olla on 8 August 2026, and the late-September local fiesta period, with official local holidays on 28 and 29 September 2026.
When is Castell de l’Olla in 2026?
Castell de l’Olla takes place on Saturday 8 August 2026 at 23:59.
When is Semana Santa in Altea in 2026?
Semana Santa de Altea 2026 runs from 29 March to 5 April, and the official programme includes the schedule of acts across several parishes.
When are Altea’s local holidays in 2026?
Altea’s official local holidays in 2026 are 28 and 29 September.
Does Altea have fiestas outside the main summer season?
Yes. Visit Altea’s official fiesta pages highlight annual celebrations such as Semana Santa, Moros y Cristianos, L’Arbret de Sant Joan and neighbourhood festivals, while the events agenda shows cultural activity throughout the year.
Is Altea worth visiting for events even if you miss Castell de l’Olla?
Yes. Semana Santa, the wider annual fiesta cycle and the town’s year-round cultural agenda mean Altea has event value well beyond one summer fireworks night.
Editor’s Conclusion✅
If you want the honest version, Altea’s event calendar is stronger than people think. Many visitors only know Castell de l’Olla, but that is only one piece of it. The real value is the mix: Semana Santa in spring, neighbourhood and traditional fiestas through the warmer months, and the important local fiesta period in late September.
Key takeaways:
Semana Santa is the strongest confirmed spring event in Altea.
Castell de l’Olla remains the town’s most iconic summer event and is confirmed for 8 August 2026.
Late September is the key local fiesta period to watch, with official local holidays on 28 and 29 September.
Altea’s official fiesta pages make clear that the town’s identity also depends on neighbourhood traditions and recurring annual celebrations, not just one big date.
Keep Exploring Altea 🔗
Altea has a lot more going on than just its annual fiestas. Once you’ve checked the main celebrations and key dates for 2026, it’s worth exploring the town more deeply — from everyday local life and weekly markets to scenic viewpoints, major attractions and the character of the old town. These guides will help you plan more of your time in and around Altea:
Local Life in Altea – get a better feel for the rhythm of the town, the atmosphere throughout the year and what daily life in Altea is really like.
Markets in Altea – discover where to find local markets, browse stalls and enjoy one of the more traditional sides of town.
Viewpoints & Attractions in Altea – explore the best spots for views, photos and some of the town’s most popular places to visit.
The Ultimate Guide to Altea – a complete overview of what to see, do and know before visiting one of the Costa Blanca’s most charming towns.
Moving to Altea – thinking beyond a short trip? This guide helps you understand what it’s like to relocate and settle in Altea.
Altea Old Town Guide – wander through the whitewashed streets, discover hidden corners and experience the most iconic part of Altea.
You can also use these related guides to build your trip around the biggest events of the year, especially if you’re visiting for Semana Santa, Castell de l’Olla or the late-September fiestas.
