Torrevieja Information

Fiestas in Spain, are official holidays, which often coincide with religious festivals and can last for several days. Spain has many fiestas for local patron saints and the Virgin Mary, as well as special days for regional communities too. It’s true that not all fiestas are celebrated with a pageant, but most of them include, for example - religious processions, carnivals, bullfights and dancing etc. Spain is very well known for these fiestas and colourful parades, and most of them are a must to see.

Fiestas in Torrevieja and local holidays in Torrevieja
The local fiestas in Torrevieja are listed below, not forgetting that, on most local fiestas, everything will probably be shut! Having said that, if you need to buy something urgently, you may consider travelling to a neighbouring town, where this particular fiesta may not be celebrated!

National Fiestas

There's a list of the Spanish National Fiestas, and English translations or the UK equivalent below. In Spain, unlike the UK bank holidays, the whole nation takes the day off for a National Fiesta including supermarkets, banks and most cafes and bars. It makes no difference if the fiesta falls in the middle of the week either (which often they do). Some businesses take extra advantage of fiestas that fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays, as they choose to remain closed for the day before or day after (Monday or Friday). Also when two fiestas fall in the same week separated by 1 day, some businesses also close on the middle day to link them together - both of these scenarios are called 'puente' which literally translates to mean a 'bridge' day.

January 1st 2009 (January 1st 2010)
New Years Day / Año Nuevo
As in the UK, Año Nuevo is a National Holiday. It is a day of celebration and recovery from the night before!

January 5th 2009 (January 5th 2010)
Three Kings parade / Epifanía del señor
The Three Kings parade, which features 3 wise men on camels or horses, is held on the 5th of January. It's normally a late afternoon / early evening event and this year (2009) it’s scheduled to begin at 17:00 from the Virgin del Carmen cultural center in Torrevieja. Its traditional route takes it down a street called Ramon Gallud, which is the main shopping street in Torrevieja, and, it travels past the main town square. The Town Hall square, being that it is stepped, can be a good place to stand as you can get a height advantage on other locations, however, everyone else thinks this too, so you may need to get your position nice and early so as not to be disappointed. If you prefer you can sit at the very edge of the parade on the chairs that line the street, but the town hall do charge approximately 4 euros for the privilege. Having said all that, things do change, so please keep an eye on this page for any updates on the information.

There's a great party atmosphere in the town and many sweets and other treats are thrown into the crowds. This evening is also known as the 12th night or Epifania del señor (epiphany) or Reyes Magos (Three Wise Men, Three Kings or Three Magicians). The tale of the birth of Jesus says that 3 wise men (Melchior, Casper and Balthazar) took gifts to Jesus, and in celebration of this event, the Spanish, traditionally, also give and receive presents. At the end of the procession the three wise men hand out gifts to the children. After the parade families go home to a celebration family meal.

Just as Santa brings the presents on Christmas Eve, the three wise men deliver presents to all the good boys and girls in Spain that night. To show the Three Kings (3 magicians) that they have been good, children polish their shoes till they shine and leave them outside for the three Kings to see. They also leave food and drink for the three wise men and their camels, just as you would for Santa and the reindeer.

January 6th 2009 (January 6th 2010)
Three Kings Day / Reyes Magos
On the 6th of January, the excited children open their presents and eat the sweets that the three wise men have left in their shoes. As you can see, the 5th and 6th of January follow a similar concept to the 24th and 25th of December which is why the British quaintly refer to this fiesta as 'the Spanish Christmas'. It is a national Fiesta on the 6th of January and one of the most important days on the Spanish calendar.

February 15th and 21st 2009 (2010 dates to be advised)
Torrevieja Carnival / Carnaval de Torrevieja
Don't miss the February carnival in Torrevieja! There are two parades in this 'carnaval' that should be noted, the first one is on Sunday the 15th of February at 16:00 from the Plaza Maria Asuncion, proceeding south down Calle Ramon Gallud (this is the main shopping street in Torrevieja town center). The second parade will be on Saturday the 21st of February at 21.00 and begins at Calle Patricio Perez, travelling north up Calle Ramon Gallud (the main shopping street). The carnival processions are good fun and include many eye catching fancy dress costumes.

March 19th 2009 (March 19th 2010)
Fathers day
Día del padre (Father’s day) always falls on the 19th of March, and it is a national fiesta. It is not celebrated by a procession, but everyone has a day off to be able to celebrate the day with their father. The saint for fathers is San José (Saint Joseph), and so all the Spaniards with the name José also celebrate this day as ‘their saint’s day’.

April 3rd 2009 (March 26th 2010)
Friday of sorrow / Viernes de dolores
20:30 – A musical presentation.
This performance is to proclaim of the coming of the Easter celebrations in Torrevieja.

April 5th to 13th 2009 (March 28th to 5th 2010)
Easter / Semana Santa
At Easter there are many processions including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, which illustrate the story of the events leading up to the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus. These processions make up an important part of Spanish religious traditions. Music plays an important part of the processions and sets the mood of the tale being told. Everyone takes great pride in playing in their band in the street parades, and the music can be very stirring.
Holy week in Torrevieja for 2009 follows the following itinerary:

April 5th 2009 (March 28th 2010)
Palm Sunday / Domingo de Ramos
10:30 - Blessing of the palms itinerary: Church of the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Sacred Heart of Jesús), Moriones, Caballero de Rodas to the Arciprestal de la Inmaculada Concepción.
20:30 - Solemn procession itinerary: Church of the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Sacred Heart of Jesús), Moriones, Ramón Gallud, Mar, Ramón y Cajal, Avda. Libertad, Joaquín Chapaprieta, Ramón Gallud, Clemente Gosálvez, Caballero de Rodas to the Arciprestal de la Inmaculada Concepción.

April 6th 2009 (March 29th 2010)
22:00 - Solemn procession - Procession itinerary: Plaza de la Constitución, Caballero de Rodas, Patricio Pérez, Ramón Gallud, María Parodi, Unión Musical Torrevejense, Patricio Pérez and Caballero de Rodas to the Temple Arciprestal.

April 7th 2009 (March 30th 2010)
22:00 - Solemn procession - Procession itinerary: Plaza de la Constitución, Caballero de Rodas, Patricio Pérez, Campoamor, Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, María Parodi, Ramón Gallud, Patricio Pérez and Caballero de Rodas to the Temple Arciprestal

April 8th 2009 (March 31st 2010)
22:00 - Solemn procession – The first part of the procession start leave the church on the Plaza de la Constitución and move down Caballero de Rodas and María Parodi until the intersection with Calle Ramón Gallud.
The second part of the procession travels down Ramón Gallud to the intersection with Calle María Parodi. When both processions meet they all participate in the reading of the “Viía Dolorosa” (the way of sorrows).
The continuation of the procession moves down Ramón Gallud, Patricio Pérez, Campoamor, Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, Azorín and Caballero de Rodas and back to the Templo Arciprestal.

April 9th 2009 (April 1st 2010)
Maundy Thursday / Jueves Santo
23:00 - Solemn silent procession - itinerary: Plaza de la Constitución, Caballero de Rodas, María Parodi, Ramón Gallud, Patricio Pérez, Campoamor, Turco, Gabriel Miró, Orihuela and Caballero de Rodas up to the Templo Arciprestal.
24:00 (Midnight) – Solemn procession of the ascent to Calvery itinerary: Plaza del Calvario, Santísima Trinidad, San José, María Parodi and Caballero de Rodas until the Temple Arciprestal.April / May 2009 dates to be advised (2010 dates to be advised).

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April 10th 2009 (April 2nd 2010)
Good Friday / Viernes Santo
08:00 – Solemn procession to symbolise the announcement of death of Jesus itinerary: Plaza de la Constitución, Caballero de Rodas, Patricio Pérez, Ramón Gallud, Apolo, and Caballero de Rodas until the Temple Arciprestal.
19:30 – Solemn procession of the holy burial of Christ itinerary: Plaza de la Constitución, Caballero de Rodas, Patricio Pérez, Ramón Gallud, Del Mar, Caballero de Rodas, María Parodi, Blasco Ibáñez, Campoamor, Patricio Pérez y Caballero de Rodas until the Temple Arciprestal.

April 11th 2009 (April 3rd 2010)
22:00 – The end of the solemn resurrection vigil for the parish of the Inmaculada – This is time for jubilation, as Christ has risen from the dead. The bands are there with their drums and everyone is invited to join in the celebration with their own drums. Itinerary: Av. Habaneras, in front of the bus station, Zoa, Pedro Lorca, Moriones, Caballero de Rodas, María Parodi, Paseo Vista Alegre, Joaquín Chapaprieta, La Paz, Plaza María Pastor Ramos, Campoamor, Maldonado, Ramón Gallud and the Plaza de la Constitución.

April 12th 2009 (April 4th 2010)
Easter Day / Pascua
Morning - Holy Mass

April 13th 2009 (April 5th 2010)
Easter Monday
Morning - Holy Mass

April 20th 2009 (April 12th 2010)
Festival of San Vicente Ferrer.
08:30 - Solemn procession to receive communion in the parish church of the Inmaculada.
This local fiesta is always celebrated on the Monday after Easter Monday.

May 1st 2009 (May 1st 2010)
Labour day/ Fiesta del Trabajo
This is a national fiesta and is celebrated with a day off work!

May 3rd 2009 (May 2nd 2010)
Mothers day / Día del Madre
Mother’s day is not a national fiesta, but is always celebrated on the first Sunday in May. In 2009 this falls on the 3rd of May.

May 6th to May 10th 2009 (2010 dates to be advised)
May fair
The annual May fair in Torrevieja is a week of Andalusian style festivities, and is an event that attracts thousand of visitors from far and wide. The dates for the May fiesta in 2009 are from the 6th of May until the 10th of May. There are small marquees with bars and a dance floor area (casetas) set up in the area next to the fair ground, within the port area, where people, some in traditional Andalusian costume, dance the famous "Sevillanas". Anyone can join in with the drinking, eating, dancing and general fun of the occasion, or simply sit back and soak up the typical party atmosphere of a Spanish fiesta.

The May Fair usually follows the following program, however the exact details will be available nearer to the time:

Wednesday
Inauguration of the May fair
Time: Evening
Place: Fair enclosure near to the port in Torrevieja
Activity: Dancing

Thursday
Time: Late evening
Place: Fair enclosure near to the port in Torrevieja
Activity: Performance by chosen artists

Friday
Time: Late evening
Place: Fair enclosure near to the port in Torrevieja
Activity: Flamenco dancing

Saturday
Time: Morning
Place: Templo Arciprestal
Activity: Mass

Time: Late evening
Place: Fair enclosure near to the port in Torrevieja
Activity: Show followed by dancing

Sunday
Place: Fair enclosure near to the port in Torrevieja
Activity: Eating, drinking and dancing at the various stalls.
There is a grand procession of men, women and children (all in traditional costumes) on horseback and in carriages which creates a very proud atmosphere. You may also take the opportunity to taste some of the finest Andalusian wines.

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July 16th 2009 (July 16th 2010)
Día de Virgen del Carmen
Virgin del Carmen day is celebrated with a day off, but there are no parades or events for this particular fiesta.

July and August
Music festival / Festivo de música
July sees the beginning of the music festival in Torrevieja. A variety of musicians perform during these summer months including small local bands, orchestras, soloists, and choral societies. In recent years Torrevieja has also played host to well know pop artists like Shakira and Duran Duran.

August 15th 2009 (August 15th 2010)
Asunción de la Virgen
This is a religious celebration, which is commemorated in a Holy Mass in the main church in Torrevieja, which is on the town hall square (Plaza de la Constitución).

October 9th 2009 (October 9th 2010)
Day of the Valencia region / Día de la Comunidad Valenciana
This is a regional fiesta just for the community of Valencia.

October 12th 2009 (October 12th 2010)
Spain day / Día Nacional de España
This a day for the Spanish to celebrate their nationality, and what better way to do it then have a day off!

October 31st 2009 (October 31st 2010)
Halloween
Halloween is becoming a bigger event and more widely celebrated each year. Although nothing in particular is arranged by the town hall, you will find some 'trick and treating' going on in the more residential parts of town.

November 1st 2009 (November 1st 2010)
All Saints day / Todos santos
This is a national holiday and is celebrated with a day off. It is traditional that all of the Spanish visit the cemetery of their relatives and lay flowers at their grave.

December 6th 2009 (December 6th 2010)
Spanish constitution day / Día de la Constitución España
The 6th of December is a national holiday to remember the 6th of December 1978, the day when the Spanish people voted, in a national referendum, to approve the draft constitution, which had been passed by the interim parliament in the October of the same year.

This Spanish constitution was the beginning of the way forward for the creation of a democratic structure in Spain. Few Spaniards participated in the constitution day celebrations at that time, as it was generally a formal occasion, however the majority of them remember the 1978 referendum with passion and look upon their constitution with a great deal of pride.

The day is generally celebrated with a day off, and no official parades.

December 8th 2009 (December 8th 2010)
Inmaculada concepción
This is celebrated with holy mass at the main church on Torrevieja main square. The day to celebrate the ‘Immaculate Conception’ is a national holiday in Spain and so everyone has a day off!

December 24th 2009 (December 24th 2010)
Christmas Eve / Noche Buena
A Spanish Christmas is celebrated in a slightly different way to the British version. In the Plaza (town square) you will often see a model of Bethlehem and other parts of the Holy Land - this is known as the Belen (meaning Bethlehem) and is well worth a look.

It is tradition, in most Spanish families, to have a family celebration meal on Christmas Eve night (Nochebuena). The meal consists of many courses including meat, cheese, prawns and other shell fish, a fish course, meat (often lamb) etc. and then they would have gateaux and other cakes (postres), coffee and liqueurs, plus chocolates and champagnes (cava) or cider (sidra)etc. As the meal only begins at about 10.30 pm, the food and drink continues until Christmas day arrives and then families often choose to exchange presents.

December 25th 2009 (December 25th 2010)
Christmas Day / Natividad del Señor (Birth of Christ)
Christmas day is a national fiesta but not generally celebrated with a family meal like the UK as they have done this the night before. Father Christmas in Spain is called Papa Noel, and, although this is not a real Spanish tradition, modern western influences have bought with them the 'Santa concept' and children expect Papa Noel to deliver them the latest toys etc. on Christmas night, just the same as children in the UK. Christmas day is a quiet day in Spain. It is a national holiday, and so everything is shut (apart from all of the British bars and restaurants that put on some super Christmas day parties).

December 26th 2009 (December 26th 2010)
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is not a Spanish tradition and is a special day only to the British, however some businesses may still be closed until after the festive season.

December 31st 2009 (December 31st 2010)
New Years Eve / Noche Vieja
On New Years Eve in Torrevieja, at midnight, you will usually find a large crowd of people in the town hall square, in front of the large church. As the church bells strike 12 and the New Year beginnings there is a party atmosphere and the joining of a multitude of nationalities as everyone celebrates the same thing. The mood is buoyant with much hugging and kissing as another year starts. The Spanish 'good luck' tradition at New Year is to eat a grape on every strike of midnight. In the days running up to New Year look out in the local supermarkets for tins of seedless grapes, which makes it much easier than the fresh type, which normally have pips!

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