Alicante Step by step - Universidad de Sevilla

FIESTAS
Porrat de San Antón (St Anthony’s Market)
Traditional fair with street stalls selling typical products such as dried fruits and nuts,
sugared fruits, quince jelly and turrón de novia (bride’s nougat). Animal show and
traditional blessing of the animals in the bullring. This feast is held on St Anthony’s
Day, 17 January, in the quarter of Alicante named after the saint.
Carnival
Even the street benches are especially decorated for the Alicante Carnival. On Saturday,
called Sábado Ramblero, there are parades down Rambla Avenue featuring carnival
costumes, ending with a festivity called the “Funeral Wake and Burial of the Sardine”.
Held on the weekend and days leading up to Ash Wednesday.
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday a total of 27 brotherhoods take part in
processions carrying floats or effigies called pasos, some of which are authentic
masterworks by famous artists such as Salzillo, Bussi, Avalos or Castillo Lastrucci.
Of note among the processions are that of the Holy Cross because it goes up the steep
streets in the old quarter, the Procession of Silence, and the “Two Encounters” between
Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The Santa Cena (Holy Supper) float is the largest in Spain
and is carried by 208 porters. This is a movable feast falling in either March or April.
The Pilgrimage of the Holy Visage (Santa Faz)
This is a very popular pilgrimage, considered to be the second most important in
Spain after the Andalusian Rocío, during which in one single day some 200,000
people holding pilgrim’s canes and wearing typical orchard-workers blousons walk to
the monastery of the Santa Faz to worship at the shrine. They have picnic lunches,
and an arts and crafts market and fair are held. Thursday following Easter week
continuing to the next weekend.
Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses)
The Santa Cruz quarter of town dresses up for May with sweet-smelling crosses made
of flowers lining its streets. The finest win awards, and dances and children’s games
are staged. Held from 1 to 3 May.
Hogueras de San Juan (St John’s Bonfires)
This is the most outstanding festivity held in Alicante, declared to be of International
Tourist Interest. It is based on the ancient custom of burning useless objects to
celebrate the summer solstice, connecting with the feast day of St John the Baptist.
It was first held in 1928, with lots of colour, gunpowder and bonfires. Of note are
the Flower Offerings to Our Lady of Remedy (22 June), the International Folklore
Parade (23 June) and the mascletás or fireworks competitions (20-24 June). There
are also processions with marching bands, outdoor dances and sports competitions.
The feast coincides with a bullfighting festival bringing in leading matadors, on foot
and on horseback. At midnight on St John’s Night (from 24 to 25 June) a huge
fireworks display is set off from the top of Mount Benacantil, and all the bonfires,
and monumental floats made in papier-mâché and wood are burnt to ashes. The
holidays continue until 29 June, St Peter’s Day. During the second half, a Medieval
market is held in the old quarter of town, and from 25 to 29 June there is a fireworks
competition, with displays being set off from Postiguet Beach.
Moors and Christians
This age-old festivity, commemorating former Christian battles for the reconquest of
these lands from the Moors, is held in various quarters of Alicante and all include
entry processions, called entradas – with groups from each side parading into the
town in filaes all arrayed in splendid costume. They take place in Villafranqueza
(March), San Blas (June) and in the quarters of Altozano and José Antonio in August.
Virgen del Carmen (The Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt Carmel)
This maritime city decorates its fishing boats and other vessels on the day sailors
venerate their patroness. The biggest celebration, however, is held on the island of
Tabarca, where an image of the Virgin is carried on a boat in a sailor’s procession.
Held on 16 July.
Virgen del Remedio (Our Lady of Remedy)
This is a feast to honour the patron saint and perpetual mayoress of the city. Two days
before the feast day (3 August) an ancient choral concert is held called the Alborada
On 5 August a procession is held with the image of the Virgin. The Port Summer
Festival is also held at this time in the Patron Saint’s honour.
Virgen del Socorro (Our Lady of Succour)
The Raval quarter, once populated with fishermen, organises a feast in honour of its
patron saint, the virgin after whom the chapel and the main street, overlooking
Postiguet Beach, were named. The festivity includes cooking contests, a procession,
games, dances, etc. From 5 to 8 September.
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