Fiestas & Holidays on the Orihuela Costa. A rough guide.
Spain is awash with Fiestas, fireworks and celebrations, creating a whole year of festivals, partying and making merry in general. The most important festival in Spain is SEMANA SANTA (EASTER), which is a whole week of celebrations, parties, special Masses, parades, fireworks. Semana Santa (translated as week of the Saints) is bigger than Christmas (which isn't as big as Three Kings, known in the UK as the Epiphany) starts on Palm Sunday and lasts through to Easter Sunday during which time there are re-enactments of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Childerns Parades at night times.
The Moors & Christians Festivals are another spectacular series of events re-enacting the fights between the Moors, who were the original inhabitants of the region and the conquering Christians, who over threw the Moors and cliamed the region as Christian. Again, expect parades (which don't usually start until around 10.00 at night), masses of fireworks and drinking and partying into the wee small hours.
Valencian Holidays. 2010.
- 1st January - New Year's Day
- 6th January - Three Kings Day - children receive Christmas presents
- 22 January - San Vicente Martir (only in Valencia city)
- 12th-19th March – Las Fallas festival - Valencia City
- 19th March - St. Joseph's Day (Father's Day)
- April 1st - Maundy Thursday
- April 2nd - Good Friday
- 1st May - Labour Day
- Second Sunday May - Our Lady of the Forsaken
- Mid June (Sunday) - Feast of Corpus Christi
- 15th August - Feast of the Assumption
- 9th October - Valencia Regional Day
- 12th October – Spanish National Day
- 1st November - All Saints' Day
- 6th December - Constitution Day
- 8th December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- 25th December - Christmas Day
Other Interesting Fiestas.
- The Tomatina (last Wednesday August) - Buñol, just outside of Valencia. For 1 hour only, anyone can throw tomatoes at anyone (tomatoes supplied by the Town Hall).
- The Moors & Christians Festivals (throughout the Costa Blanca. Starts 16th July in Orihuela City.) Re-enactments of the battles between the Moors and the Christians for control of the land.
- Hogueras de San Juan - Famous bonfires & fireworks Fiesta in Alicante. A week of firework displays started off with a massive procession & burning of effigies of local celebreties, politicians etc.
- Medieval Markets - Orihuela City & Torrevieja - various throughout the year.
- Benicassim Festival - International Music Festival through the hot summer (2009 dates 16th - 19th July).
- Pamplona Bull Run (2009 - starts July 7th). You all know this one.
- Dia del Muertas - 1st November - people return home to place flowers on the graves of deceased relatives and eat at the graveside, setting a place for the deceased relative.
- El Gordo - 22nd December - The biggest lottery i the world, making whole villages millionaires over 1day.
- NocheVieja (New Years Eve) - 31st December. Tradition says that you have to eat 12 grapes (1 for each stroke of midnight to have good luck and fortune in the coming year). A massive fiesta across the whole country.
There are far too many fiestas and festivals in Spain & the Costa Blanca to mention here. What is above is merely a small list of the best known events and festivities.
For local and regional events, keep an eye on the local press, or visit the Tourist Offices in the region. There is also usually information at the Town Hall.
For local and regional events, keep an eye on the local press, or visit the Tourist Offices in the region. There is also usually information at the Town Hall.
Most Fiestas have late starts, with the main exception being the Three Kings Parade (usually starting around 4-5 p.m. (in neighbouring Torrevieja at least, as this is for children).
Although most of the Orihuela region's fiestas are in Orihuela City, the Orihuela Costa Town Hall has recently started some local Fiestas, 2009, with a St. Patricks day event (3 days 13-17 March, a Fiesta de Cerveza (over Easter ) and a St. George's Day Fiesta (22-24 Apr.) highlighting the international feel of it's residents.
Although most of the Orihuela region's fiestas are in Orihuela City, the Orihuela Costa Town Hall has recently started some local Fiestas, 2009, with a St. Patricks day event (3 days 13-17 March, a Fiesta de Cerveza (over Easter ) and a St. George's Day Fiesta (22-24 Apr.) highlighting the international feel of it's residents.
