Top Summer 2009 Events In Alicante

• By: Editor
• On: 16/Jul/2009
• In: Spain Travel Tips

Alicante Summer Festival (Festival de Verano de Alicante)
This annual festival runs for one month from the last week of July to the last week of August, and offers a fantastic programme of events from music concerts, theatre, flamenco and international dancing and plenty of family activities! The majority of the events are located in the area of Paseo del Puerto, which is located alongside the port area in Alicante. The events include some wonderful international and local acts, including Ballet acts from as far as Mexico and Ghana!

Some of the Spanish performers at the Alicante Summer Festival include Lolita, Paloma San Basilio, Sara Baras, Pitingo y Juan Carmona, and the acts will provide some wonderful Spanish flamenco dancing and singing.

The Alicante Summer Festival is a celebration of local and international music, theatre and fantastic dancing. The acts are family orientated so it is a great day out for adults and children alike. Unlike other festivals in Spain’s cities the Alicante Summer Festival is not religious based, and there are no street processions, and everything is concentrated on the one location at the local port. Tickets can be purchased from street stalls close to the Paseo del Puerto.

Moors and Christian Festival Alicante
The Moors and Christians Festival is one of the best festivals in Spain and is a major celebration on the yearly events calendar for Alicante. It is a mix of street entertainment, historical and religious celebration! The Festival takes place in different areas of Alicante at different times – from 11th-15th June it takes place in San Blas, 2nd-5th July in Rebolledo, 12th to 16th August in Altozano, and 28th to 31st August in José Antonio.

Like much of Spain, the historical past of Alicante is immersed in Moorish heritage. The Moors ruled the region until defeated by the Christians in 1492. The reign of the Moors in Spain span five different eras and this is demonstrated in the festival celebration of the Moors and Christians. Re-creations of famous battles take place in the areas the celebration is taking in. People march through the streets and dress in period costume, and the street processions are called Entradas. Both sides engage in mock battles and then retreat. The Moor retreat is known as the Kábila and the Christian one is called the Cuartel, and both sides then savour much enjoyment of food and drink!

Visit Archaeology Museum of Alicante – MARQ
If you want to experience a bit of culture on your holiday, then a trip to the Archaeology Museum of Alicante is just what you should take! There are plenty of exhibition events at the Museum throughout the summer, and you can explore the historical treasures of Alicante. From 2nd April 2009 until the 13th October there is a wonderful exhibition here called The Beauty of the Body (La Belleza del Cuerpo). This wonderful exhibition of Greek Art is being hosted in conjunction with the British Museum.

The Alicante Jazz Festival
The 12th Alicante Jazz Festival runs from July 22nd – 26th 2009. Some great jazz performers are to be enjoyed throughout this music festival, including performances by the Roy Haynes Trio, Manhattan Transfer and the Carla Bley Big Band.

Las Hogueras de San Juan (St John's Bonfires Festival)
If you are in Alicante right now, or heading out later in the summer, you have unfortunately missed this festival, but maybe you might check it out next year? Widely regarded as one of the best carnival atmospheres in Spain, this Festival takes place from June 20th to 24th every year, and is known as the official festival of the city.

The primary part of this festival is a street procession, and there are effigy sacrificies made out of paper and wood on top of the colourful floats! The sight of the effigies will be of great amusement as much humour has gone into their creation. This is a terrific, fun filled festival with big emphasis on eating, drinking and dancing! Party enclosures of different sizes are made for revellers, with live music and entertainment! The crowning moment of the festival is reached at the final night, when at midnight, all of the effigies are burnt to the ground!

You could also visit the Medieval Market as part of the Bonfires Festival. This takes place in the last week of June in the old town part of Alicante. Bag a bargain here and be entertained by street musicians! Also check out a typical Spanish tourist attraction – the Bullfighting!

At the end of the St John’s Bonfires Festival, head to Postiguet Beach at midnight to see a spectacular fireworks competition.

Alicante Theatre Festival
The second half of the month of September sees Alicante hosting the annual theatre festival "Alicante e Esena" which takes place in the Principal Theatre Alicante. This festival is closely  followed by the Alicante International Contemporary Music Festival. In existence since 1985, it originally promoted Spanish musicians and their work, but now displays music from the rest of Europe and the world. Check out the book and music fairs, musical courses and exhibitions.

Find out more about Festivals in Alicante.

So there you have it – a guide to the Top Summer 2009 Events in Alicante. To get around the area with total flexibility and style your best bet is to avail of a high quality car rental, so check out our Car Hire Alicante Airport page.

Have you been to Alicante? Have you been to any of the events that we have listed – or do you know of more events that are taking place in Alicante this summer – if so, please let us know! If you have any travel advice as to what to enjoy in Alicante give us your views – as always we appreciate your comments.