HERE WE TRY TO KEEP YOU INFORMED OF UP AND COMING EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS IN OUR AREA

AUGUST 21st – LA VUELTA DE ESPAÑA – CAMPOAMOR – A must-see for cycling enthusiasts when Stage 2  of the second biggest cycle race in the world starts in Benidorm and ends at Campoamor. The route goes from La Nucia, through Villajoyosa, Relleu, and Aigues before dropping down to the N332 through Campello, Alicante and Santa Pola. Then its inland through Elche and Dolores and back to the N332 from  Guardamar through Torrevieja and finishing close to the health centre at Campoamor around 5pm. Time trials take place around Benidorm the day before.

SEPTEMBER 3rd – TORREVIEJA CF v CD MONTESINOS – TORREVIEJA – Pre-season friendly at the new Nelson Mandela Stadium, behind the water park. After a couple of seasons of backroom turmoil Torry appear to have got everything together this season and are looking towards promotion to League 2. A chance to see the new signings and get behind the team. Kick off 7pm.

SEPTEMBER 16th – STREET DECORATION COMPETITION – SAN MIGUEL – Organised by the town hall with big prizes for the winning street. Judging will inevitably be followed by numerous street parties with dancing, music and fireworks.

SEPTEMBER 16th to 25th – ROMANS AND CARTHAGINIANS – CARTAGENA – So-o-o worth a visit on any day, this is a huge event which re-enacts the Roman conquest of Cartagena in 209AD. The Romans camp outside of town for the durat ion where there are markets stalls, taverns and tradesmen typical of the time. Fanstastic costumes, with hundreds of participants, daily parades and battle enactments throughout the fiesta. Full schedule of events and loads more info can be found in English on the offical website www.carthaginesesyromanos.es

SEPTEMBER 17th to OCTOBER 3rd – SAN MIGUEL FIESTAS – Annual bonanza in honour of the town´s Patron Saint San Miguel. Inaugural open air all-night disco with live bands and concerts on most nights throughout the fiestas, either in the fairground or in the Plaza de la Libertad. Events and parades include Float and Fancy Dress Parade, Tapas Trail, Crazy Car Races, Horse Show, Paella Gigante and the grand Town Procession on the last Saturday which ends with a huge firework display and street party.  The locals are very happy to include “foreigners” in their jollies so get up there and enjoy the fun.

Try this link for detailed listings of concerts, workshops, exhibitions, dance and other local info http://www.hotcosta.com/Torrevieja.eventlist

A cautionary note: The information on this page is, as far as we can possibly tell, accurate. However, Spanish event planning is sometimes a haphazard affair and exact dates and times have been known to change.

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DID YOU MISS IT? PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY FOR NEXT YEAR! (Dates may be slightly different)

FEBRUARY 4th to 6th – ORIHUELA ME DIEVAL MARKET – If you go to only one Medieval Market make it this one, its the biggest and also the best around in our opinion. Its held in the old town so you can really believe yo u have stepped back in time as you stroll the narrow streets amongst falconers, pedlars and minstrels (not the chocolate variety) and a myriad of food and craft stalls hawking their wares. Watch the bakers, chocolate-makers, brewers and apothocaries producing their wares in the old fashioned way and marvel at the human pyramid builders, a mad local tradition often reaching 5 or 6 layers.  Dance, music and falconry demos tak e place all day on the stage in the square.

FEBRUARY 11th to MARCH 5th – TORREVIEJA CARNIVAL – Parades and party nights in true Rio style, full programme available from town halls and tourist offices. The parades on 27th Feb at 4pm and 5th March at 10pm,  are particularly spectacular and well worth seeing with huge floats and stunning costume dancers.

MARCH 16th to 18th – PLAYA FLAMENCA – The annual St Patrick´s Day Festival with outdoor bars, market stalls, live bands and dance shows, Irish dancing and music all day from local radio station, Excite FM. New location in front of Lidl on the N332. On Paddy´s day itself there is also a parade and all-day party on the strip at Cabo Roig.

MAY 2nd – CARAVACA de la CRUZ – Caballos de Vino (Wine Horse festival)/ Moors and Christians – You gotta get up early for this one but its well worth the effort. The fun starts with the highly decorated wine horses parade and races through the streets. In the afternoon the Holy Cross is taken in procession from the Sanctuary to the Parish of San Salvador and Moors & Christians re-enact battles and scenes from historic events. Parking can be a bit of a pain so probably its best to do this on a coach trip. Cheap as chips at 12€ and you can have a drink or three! Call David´s Coaches on 966785910 or check out the website for this and other fantastic days out www.coachtripsonline.com

EARLY MAY – FERIA DE MAYO, TORREVIEJA - Annual spring fair celebrating all things Andalucian with street performers, horse parades, craft stalls, c oncerts and, for the first time this year, bullfights.  .Busiest and showiest events at the weekend, especially when traditionally dressed locals on horseback and in carriages parade through the streets and show off their equestrian skills in the fairground. Not to be missed!! For dates and  programme keep an eye on  http://feriademayotorrevieja.com/

JUNE 24th – FIESTA DE SAN JUAN, ALICANTE – Carnaval parades and the burni ng of the Hogeras to end a week of fireworks and all-night partying.

JULY 2nd to JULY 31st – SAN JAVIER JAZZ FESTIVAL - An annual event featuring open-air concerts with a top notch bill of international singers and musicians. A must-do for jazz, blues, hip-hop and soul music lovers.

JULY 31st – BEACH PARTY – TORREVIEJA – At the Playa Acequion, live bands all day and into the night. Starts around midday.