If you are looking for the biggest events in Alicante in 2026, the key dates are Reyes Magos in January, Carnival in February, Semana Santa in late March and early April, Santa Faz on 16 April, Hogueras de San Juan from 20 to 24 June, and San Nicolás on 6 December. On top of that, Alicante also has neighbourhood fiestas, Tabarca celebrations, fairs at Fira Alacant, and summer events near the city such as Noches Mágicas and Reggaeton Millennial Fest.
Complete Guide to Alicante Fiestas in 2026
Alicante is one of those Costa Blanca cities where there is almost always something going on. Some celebrations are deeply traditional and tied to the city’s identity, like Santa Faz, Semana Santa and Hogueras, while others are more modern and event-driven, from concerts by the port to major trade fairs and family events at Fira Alacant.
Our tip: if you want this page to stay useful and trustworthy, keep the official Alicante fiestas as the main calendar and place concerts, fairs and special events nearby in a separate section underneath. That way the page stays focused instead of turning into random event spam. The city’s own tourism setup basically does the same by separating festivities from its broader agenda.
Traditional festivities in Alicante in 2026
January in Alicante 🎉
Alicante starts the year in festive mode. On 4 January 2026, the city hosts the Cabalgata de las Carteras Reales, and on 5 January 2026 the Cabalgata de Reyes Magos arrives in Alicante, with the Kings reaching the port before the main parade through the city. Later in the month, from 16 to 25 January 2026, Alicante celebrates the Porrate de San Antón, one of its best-known traditional neighbourhood fiestas.
February in Alicante 🎭
Carnival takes over Alicante from 12 to 22 February 2026. This is one of the liveliest periods in the city, with costumes, music, family activities and the well-known Rambla celebrations. February is also when the run-up to Semana Santa begins, with Alicante’s official pre-event programme running from 16 February to 27 March 2026.
March in Alicante ✝️
The big religious event in Alicante in March 2026 is Semana Santa, which officially runs from 29 March to 5 April 2026. This is one of the city’s most important annual celebrations, bringing together processions, music, brotherhood traditions and a full programme across Alicante. Also in March, visitors looking for something beyond traditional fiestas can find concerts and fairs such as Fito y Fitipaldis on 6 March at Plaza de Toros and the Japan Weekend / Salón del Manga at Fira Alacant on 28 and 29 March.
April in Alicante 🌿
One of the most important dates in the Alicante calendar is 16 April 2026, when the city celebrates the Romería de la Santa Faz. It is so important locally that it is also one of Alicante’s official local holidays for 2026. In the same month, Alicante also hosts event-style entertainment such as the AMA Festival at El Muelle Live on 11 April 2026.
May in Alicante ✝️
From 30 April to 3 May 2026, Alicante celebrates the Cruces de Mayo, another of the city’s traditional fiesta dates listed by Alicante Turismo. May is also a useful month for visitors interested in fairs and exhibitions, with events such as Expovans & Trucks from 8 to 10 May and Levante Home Meeting from 21 to 23 May at Fira Alacant.
June in Alicante 🔥
June is the month Alicante truly explodes into fiesta mode. The city’s biggest celebration, Hogueras de San Juan, runs officially from 20 to 24 June 2026, and 23 June 2026 is confirmed as a local holiday in Alicante. The pirotechnic programme linked to Hogueras continues beyond that, with the official fireworks competition scheduled from 25 to 29 June 2026. June also includes the start of the Tabarca traditional festivities, listed from 27 to 30 June 2026. Definitely don’t skip this month if you want the full Alicante experience.
July in Alicante 🌊
July keeps the festive rhythm going. The Tabarca celebrations continue on 15 and 16 July 2026, linked to the island’s traditional summer festivities, and the Fiestas de San Gabriel run from 22 to 26 July 2026. For those looking for more than neighbourhood fiestas, summer event season also ramps up nearby, with Noches Mágicas 2026 scheduled from 25 July to 9 August 2026 in Sant Joan d’Alacant.
August in Alicante ☀️
August is packed. Alicante celebrates the Fiestas en honor a la Virgen del Remedio, which begin on 3 August and centre around 5 August, while the Fiestas de San Roque run from 13 to 16 August 2026. In the wider Alicante area, this is also when some of the more commercial summer events hit hard, including Reggaeton Millennial Fest in the Port of Alicante on 1 and 2 August 2026, plus performances during Noches Mágicas, including Ana Torroja on 1 August 2026.
September in Alicante 🍂
In September, the main traditional date is the Fiestas del Raval Roig / Virgen del Socorro, which run from 3 to 8 September 2026. This month is slightly calmer on the traditional fiesta side, but it is still useful for event visitors thanks to fairs such as LanArte Alicante Fest from 25 to 27 September 2026.
October in Alicante 🍽️
October is not the strongest month for classic Alicante city fiestas, but it is excellent for fairs and lifestyle events. The biggest one is Alicante Gastronómica 2026, scheduled from 2 to 5 October, and Futurmoda follows on 14 and 15 October 2026 at Fira Alacant. If your audience includes food lovers or business visitors, October deserves a mention even if it is not a headline fiesta month.
November in Alicante 🛋️
November continues the fair calendar rather than the traditional fiesta calendar. At Fira Alacant, Firahogar, Firanovios and Expofiesta are all scheduled for 6 to 8 November 2026, followed by the autumn edition of Firauto + Sobre2Ruedas from 20 to 22 November 2026. These events are official, but Fira Alacant also notes that its calendar is subject to specific changes, so this is one of those sections where a final pre-publication check matters.
December in Alicante 🎄
On 6 December 2026, Alicante celebrates the Feast of San Nicolás de Bari, patron saint of the city, with a mass, procession, the city’s traditional vow and a Moors and Christians parade through the centre. December also usually brings Alicante’s Christmas programme, nativity displays and family events, but the full late-2026 Christmas programme had not yet been officially published when we checked, so it is smarter not to invent exact dates. At Fira Alacant, one firm December event is Expomascotas on 5 and 6 December 2026, followed by Exponadal from 26 to 30 December 2026 and again from 2 to 4 January 2027.
Concerts, fairs and special events near Alicante in 2026
If you want this guide to feel more complete, Alicante in 2026 also includes a solid run of fairs, concerts and special events beyond the classic fiestas. Early in the year, Alicante Pasión Cofrade is scheduled for 24 and 25 January at Fira Alacant, while Caravaning Alicante runs on 6 to 8 February and 13 to 15 February. February also includes the Tattoo Convention Alicante from 27 February to 1 March, and JESAL-EXTETIC / Hair Show Alicante from 28 February to 2 March.
Spring adds more variety, with Futurmoda on 4 and 5 March, Japan Weekend Alicante on 28 and 29 March, and Firauto + Sobre2Ruedas on 24 to 26 April. Then summer takes over with Noches Mágicas 2026 from 25 July to 9 August in Sant Joan d’Alacant and the first edition of Reggaeton Millennial Fest in the Port of Alicante on 1 and 2 August 2026.
Autumn keeps the calendar alive with LanArte Alicante Fest in late September, Alicante Gastronómica in early October, and the combined November fairs at Fira Alacant. Just keep in mind that Fira’s own PDF says the official fair calendar is susceptible to changes, so this section should always be checked one last time before publication or each time you refresh the page.
Practical tips for enjoying Alicante festivities
If you plan to be in Alicante during Santa Faz or Hogueras, book early. Those are not casual little local events. They are among the city’s biggest and most recognisable celebrations, and demand rises fast around the main dates.
For summer events, the smart play is to separate what is in Alicante city from what is near Alicante, especially places like Sant Joan d’Alacant or Fira Alacant in Elche. They are close enough to matter for visitors, but they should not be presented as if they are all happening in central Alicante itself.
And one more thing: don’t publish fluff. Some popular recurring events, such as parts of the Christmas programme or certain August spectacles, may not have their full 2026 programme live yet. When that happens, it is better to say “programme pending official confirmation” than to post guessed dates and look sloppy later.
FAQ about festivities in Alicante❓
What are the biggest festivities in Alicante in 2026?
The biggest festivities in Alicante in 2026 are Carnival, Semana Santa, Santa Faz, Hogueras de San Juan and San Nicolás, with Hogueras remaining the city’s most famous fiesta internationally.
When is Santa Faz in Alicante in 2026?
Santa Faz in Alicante is on 16 April 2026, and it is also one of the city’s official local holidays for that year.
When are the Hogueras in Alicante in 2026?
The official Hogueras de San Juan in Alicante run from 20 to 24 June 2026, with the fireworks competition continuing from 25 to 29 June 2026.
Is Alicante worth visiting during Carnival?
Yes. Alicante Carnival 2026 runs from 12 to 22 February, and it combines central city celebrations, costumes, music and a much more playful atmosphere than the religious spring festivals.
Are there good concerts and fairs near Alicante in 2026?
Yes. Alicante and the nearby area host concerts at Plaza de Toros and El Muelle Live, summer events like Noches Mágicas, and major trade or public fairs at Fira Alacant throughout the year.
Which Alicante events still need final confirmation later in 2026?
At the time of checking, the full Christmas 2026 programme had not yet been published, and fair-style events should always be rechecked against the latest Fira Alacant calendar because the venue states that its official schedule may change.
Editor’s Conclusion✅
If you want the short truth, Alicante has one of the strongest year-round event calendars on the Costa Blanca. The city is not just about one big summer fiesta. You’ve got Reyes Magos in January, Carnival in February, Semana Santa and Santa Faz in spring, Hogueras in June, neighbourhood fiestas through summer, and San Nicolás in December. Add concerts, fairs and nearby special events, and Alicante becomes a destination where there is nearly always a reason to go.
Key takeaways:
Hogueras and Santa Faz are the standout traditional dates in Alicante.
Carnival and Semana Santa make late winter and early spring especially strong.
Alicante also works well as an event base, thanks to concerts, fairs and nearby summer festivals.
For accuracy, some late-year items should still be refreshed again once official programmes are published.
Keep Exploring Alicante 🔗
Alicante 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 digging deeper into the city itself — from beaches and historic streets to day trips and practical travel tips. These guides will help you plan more of your time in and around Alicante:
Things to Do in Alicante – the best attractions, local spots and essential experiences in the city.
Best Beaches in Alicante – where to go for sandy city beaches, quieter coves and easy summer days.
Alicante Old Town Guide – discover the character, streets, viewpoints and charm of Alicante’s historic centre.
Alicante-Elche Airport Guide – useful tips for arrivals, departures and getting to the city smoothly.
Weekend in Alicante Itinerary – a simple guide for making the most of two or three days in Alicante.
Santa Bárbara Castle Guide – one of the city’s top landmarks, with views, history and photo spots.
Tabarca Island Guide – everything you need to know about visiting Alicante’s most famous island escape.
You can also use these related guides to build your trip around the biggest events of the year, especially if you’re visiting Alicante for Santa Faz, Semana Santa or Hogueras.
