If you want the main dates first, the clearest confirmed events in Calpe in 2026 are the Cabalgata de Reyes on 6 January, Carnival on 14 February, Semana Santa from 29 March to 5 April, the local holiday of Virgen de las Nieves on 5 August, and the local holiday of Santísimo Cristo del Sudor on 22 October. On top of that, Calpe’s biggest recurring fiesta periods usually include the Virgen del Carmen celebrations in July, the Virgen de las Nieves patron fiestas in late July and early August, and the Moros y Cristianos celebrations in October, although the full 2026 programmes for those larger blocks had not yet been published when this guide was prepared.
📅 Calpe Festivity Calendar 2026
Calpe has a stronger year-round calendar than many people expect. It is not only a summer destination. The official town agenda already shows a mix of family events, Carnival, cultural programming, Holy Week, concerts, exhibitions and guided visits, while the municipality has also confirmed its two key local holidays for 2026: 5 August for Virgen de las Nieves and 22 October for Santísimo Cristo del Sudor. Those two dates tell you immediately where the biggest traditional fiesta peaks of the year will sit.
Our tip: Calpe works best when you separate the page into confirmed 2026 dates and major recurring fiestas still waiting for the final programme. That keeps the guide useful and credible instead of stuffing it with guessed dates.
January in Calpe 🎉
The year starts with the tail end of the Christmas programme and the Cabalgata de Reyes Magos. In 2026, the Kings’ parade in Calpe was moved to 6 January at 17:00 in Plaza Colón because of the weather forecast, while the broader Programa Navideño en Calp 2025 continued until 11 January 2026. That makes early January one of the first lively periods of the year in town.
February in Calpe 🎭
February brings one of the clearest fun dates on the local calendar: Carnival on 14 February 2026. Calpe’s official agenda lists both a children’s Carnival party at 17:30 and the main Carnavales Calpe celebration at 23:00, both in Plaza Mayor. The same month also includes exhibitions such as Infotos Periodistas 2026 and Expo Relatos II, which helps give Calpe more cultural depth outside the main fiesta seasons.
March and April in Calpe ✝️
Spring is one of the strongest times to visit Calpe if you want more than beach weather. March includes the 8 de Marzo: Alcem la Veu programme from 4 to 31 March, the popular La Nit Encesa on 7 March, and a run of theatre, music and cultural activities through the month. Then comes Semana Santa 2026, officially scheduled from 29 March to 5 April, with the programme published for both Nuestra Señora de las Nieves and Nuestra Señora de la Merced parishes. April continues with extra cultural events such as the Dúo Di Falco – Sacchi concert on 16 April and a talk by Xavi Bou on 18 April.
May and June in Calpe ☀️
May looks lighter at this stage, at least from the official agenda pages currently available. That is not a problem. A calendar page does not need fake density to be useful. June, meanwhile, has a more activity-based feel, with guided visits to Baños de la Reina and free zumba classes listed through 30 June 2026. San Juan on 24 June is also part of the regional holiday calendar, but Calpe had not yet published a standalone 2026 fiesta programme for it when this guide was prepared.
July in Calpe ⚓
One of Calpe’s key recurring summer traditions is the Fiestas en honor a la Virgen del Carmen, tied to the seafaring side of the town and usually centred on 16 July. In 2025, the official programme ran from 16 to 20 July, which makes that a strong reference point for 2026, but the full 2026 programme page had not yet been published at the time of checking. So yes, July matters in Calpe, but the exact 2026 block should still be treated as pending official confirmation.
August in Calpe 🎆
August is one of the biggest months of the year in Calpe. The town has already confirmed 5 August 2026 as the local holiday for Virgen de las Nieves, and that date usually sits inside the wider Fiestas Patronales en honor a la Virgen de las Nieves. In 2025, the full patron fiesta block ran from 31 July to 10 August, and one of the signature acts was the Castell a la Mar on the night of 5 August. The municipality itself highlights both the Virgen de las Nieves fiestas and the Castell a la Mar as major parts of Calpe’s festive identity, but the detailed 2026 programme had not yet been released when this guide was prepared.
October in Calpe ⚔️
October is the other major traditional peak in Calpe. The town has already confirmed 22 October 2026 as the local holiday for the Santísimo Cristo del Sudor, and the official Moros y Cristianos site states that the celebrations are held in October. The town is also framing 2026 as the 50th anniversary year of these festivities, which makes this edition especially relevant. Based on the 2025 programme, a sensible working window is roughly mid to late October, but the final 2026 day-by-day schedule still needs official publication before it should be presented as fixed.
December in Calpe 🎄
Calpe will almost certainly have a Christmas programme again, but the 2026 Christmas calendar had not yet been published when this guide was prepared. The previous edition ran from 29 November 2025 to 11 January 2026, so it is reasonable to expect another broad festive cycle around the same period — just not smart to invent exact dates before the town confirms them.
Extra events and cultural highlights in Calpe
Calpe’s official agenda shows that the town is not only about religious and patronal fiestas. There are also exhibitions, theatre, concerts, public talks and guided visits spread across the year. In early 2026 alone, the calendar includes Infotos Periodistas 2026, Expo Relatos II, La Nit Encesa, Medea, Dúo Pasión Andaluza, Ritmos Animalescos, the Dúo Di Falco – Sacchi concert, and the Xavi Bou lecture. That extra layer matters because it gives the page more value for visitors who are not only looking for the biggest fiesta nights.
There are also recurring extra events that are likely to return later in the year but still need final confirmation, including Calpe Pop Festival in August and Oktoberfesters in October. Those are useful to mention as seasonal watch-points, but not as hard dates yet.
When to visit Calpe for the best atmosphere
If you want the classic traditional fiesta atmosphere, the two strongest windows are early August and October. August revolves around Virgen de las Nieves and the Castell a la Mar, while October is shaped by Moros y Cristianos and the Cristo del Sudor cycle. If you prefer something more relaxed but still lively, March and early April are underrated thanks to the cultural programme and Semana Santa.
Practical tips for enjoying the Calpe festivities
If you are planning around August or October, keep one eye on the official municipal calendar. The big anchors are already clear, but the full 2026 programmes for the largest fiesta blocks were still pending when this guide was prepared. That matters because the atmosphere, street closures, procession times and headline acts all depend on those final schedules.
If you want the safest fully published period right now, Semana Santa is the easiest one to build around because Calpe has already released the 2026 programme for both main parishes. For people who prefer to avoid the most crowded summer dates but still want a real local event feel, that is the smarter play.
FAQ about festivities in Calpe in 2026❓
What are the biggest festivities in Calpe in 2026?
The biggest confirmed anchors are Carnival on 14 February, Semana Santa from 29 March to 5 April, Virgen de las Nieves on 5 August, and Santísimo Cristo del Sudor on 22 October. The larger fiesta periods around Virgen del Carmen, Virgen de las Nieves and Moros y Cristianos are expected again in 2026, but some full programmes were still pending.
When is Semana Santa in Calpe in 2026?
Semana Santa 2026 in Calpe runs from 29 March to 5 April, with official programming published for both Nuestra Señora de las Nieves and Nuestra Señora de la Merced.
When is the Virgen de las Nieves celebration in Calpe in 2026?
The key confirmed date is 5 August 2026, which is the official local holiday for Virgen de las Nieves. The wider patron fiesta programme had not yet been fully published when this guide was prepared.
When are the Moros y Cristianos in Calpe in 2026?
The celebrations take place in October, and 22 October 2026 is confirmed as the local holiday for the Santísimo Cristo del Sudor. The full 2026 Moros y Cristianos programme was still pending at the time of checking.
Does Calpe have good events outside summer?
Yes. Calpe’s 2026 agenda already includes Carnival, exhibitions, theatre, concerts, women’s programme events, Semana Santa and guided visits, so it has a much broader calendar than just the summer fiestas.
Which Calpe events still need final confirmation for 2026?
The main ones still awaiting their full programme are the Virgen del Carmen celebrations, the broader Virgen de las Nieves patron fiestas, the exact Castell a la Mar programme wording, the full Moros y Cristianos schedule, and the Christmas programme for late 2026.
Editor’s Conclusion✅
Calpe’s 2026 calendar is stronger than a lazy “sun, beach, Peñón” stereotype suggests. The real rhythm of the town comes from a mix of family events in winter, cultural programming in spring, maritime and patronal fiestas in summer, and one of the most important traditional fiesta periods in October.
Key takeaways:
Semana Santa is the strongest fully published spring event in Calpe.
5 August 2026 is the key confirmed summer fiesta anchor for Virgen de las Nieves.
22 October 2026 is the key confirmed autumn fiesta anchor for Santísimo Cristo del Sudor and the wider Moros y Cristianos cycle.
Calpe also has a genuine cultural agenda outside the main fiesta blocks, which makes the page more useful year-round.
Keep Exploring Calpe 🔗
Calpe 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 a bit more — from beaches and local markets to iconic landmarks and one of the most interesting fishing traditions on this part of the Costa Blanca. These guides will help you plan more of your time in and around Calpe:
Beaches in Calpe – discover the best spots for sunbathing, swimming, promenades and relaxed seaside days.
Markets in Calpe – find out where to browse local stalls, shop for fresh produce and enjoy a more traditional side of town.
Top Things to Do in Calpe – a complete guide to the main attractions, local experiences and must-see places.
Peñón de Ifach – explore Calpe’s most iconic natural landmark and one of the standout sights on the Costa Blanca.
Muralla Roja – take a closer look at one of Calpe’s most photographed buildings and a true architectural highlight.
Fish Market & Auctions in Calpe – discover the town’s fishing heritage and see one of the most authentic local experiences still alive today.
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, the Virgen de las Nieves celebrations or the October Moros y Cristianos festivities.
