Whats on in Alicante this week 19-26 June 2026 is not really a normal weekly guide, because Alicante is about to go completely Hogueras mad. The monuments are in the streets, Luceros is preparing to shake at 2pm every day, the barracas and racós are opening, the parades are coming, and on Wednesday night the sky above Santa Bárbara Castle will erupt into the great Palmera before the city’s bonfires are burned.
So, yes, there are other things happening in Alicante this week. There is football, the castle is open late, there are guided tours, bars are full, the beach is still there looking unfairly good, and you can still go to a museum if your ears need a rest. But this is Hogueras week. It is Alicante’s biggest fiesta, recognised as an event of International Tourist Interest, and from now until the early hours of 25 June the city centre will be noisy, crowded, colourful, ridiculous, moving, funny, occasionally bewildering and absolutely worth seeing.
If you are new to the fiesta, read our guide here:
What is Hogueras in Alicante?
Whats on in Alicante this week 19-26 June 2026: quick Hogueras advice
The main thing to know is that the city centre changes completely during Hogueras. Roads close, buses are diverted, pavements fill up, and what looked like a quiet street in the morning can become a full-blown party by evening. This is not the week to hire a car and attempt a graceful little drive through the middle of Alicante. That way madness lies.
Walk where you can. Use the TRAM where possible. The TRAM is running a special 24-hour Hogueras service from 20 June through the early hours after the fiesta, which is a very sensible idea because Alicante does not really go to bed this week.
There is also a free Hogueras bus from 21 to 24 June. The special “H” line runs every 15 minutes from 08:00 to 22:30 and starts from Avenida Maisonnave 2, by El Corte Inglés. It goes around the 12 Special Category hogueras and the official monument in Plaza del Ayuntamiento. You can hop on and off, which makes it a good option if you want to see the big monuments without doing the full sandal-destroying march around the city.
Friday 19 June: the fiesta starts to feel real
1. Mascletà at Plaza Luceros
Friday 19 June, 14:00
Plaza Luceros
Free
The mascletà is the daily thunderous firecracker display at Plaza Luceros. It is not a firework show in the pretty, twinkly sense. It is more like standing near a controlled explosion that has been arranged by someone with excellent rhythm and a worrying fondness for noise.
Get there early, take water (or as a lot of others do, a beer or two), wear sun cream, and if you are sensitive to sound, bring ear protection. The mascletàs run every day at 14:00 until 24 June.
2. Walk around the new hogueras (monumentos)
Friday 19 June onwards
Across Alicante city
Free
By this point, the city’s hogueras and ninots are appearing in the streets. These are the enormous satirical monuments that will eventually be burned on the night of 24 June. Some are elegant, some are political, some are beautifully made, and some appear to have been designed during a particularly strong lunch. That is part of the charm.
Good central areas for a first wander include Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mercado Central, Calvo Sotelo, Plaza Séneca, San Blas, La Cerámica and the streets around the Rambla.
3. Barracas and racós begin to fill up
Evening onwards
Across the city
Mostly free to walk past; food and drink paid
The racós and barracas are the social heart of Hogueras. Some are private, some have public access, and many spill music, food and happy chaos into the streets. You do not need to understand the entire structure of the fiesta to enjoy them. A decent rule is: if it looks open, friendly and there is a bar, you have probably understood enough.
There are also several public racós with free entry during the fiesta, though some may have times with a minimum drink purchase.
Saturday 20 June: monuments, music and coca amb tonyna
4. Plantà of the adult hogueras
Saturday 20 June
Across Alicante
Free
The Plantà is when the main adult hogueras are fully installed. This is a good day to walk the city before the biggest crowds of 23 and 24 June. Take photos now, because several of these works of art will soon be ash. Alicante is not sentimental about papier-mâché when there is a match handy.
5. Mascletà at Luceros
Saturday 20 June, 14:00
Plaza Luceros
Free
The third mascletà of the official competition takes place at 14:00. Luceros is the place to be if you want the full daytime Hogueras hit.
A useful note: the samba drummers from Carnavalia are expected to be around the Luceros mascletà on 20 and 21 June, and they should also be out most days of the fiesta between about 17:00 and 20:00 in one of the barracas around Avenida Doctor Gadea and the theatre area. If you hear drums getting closer, you are not imagining things. Follow them.
6. Coca amb tonyna and bacores
Saturday 20 June, evening
Barracas and racós across the city
Saturday night is when the barracas and racós are officially inaugurated, and the traditional food is coca amb tonyna i bacores.
Coca amb tonyna is one of the classic tastes of Hogueras: a savoury pastry made with tuna, onion and pine nuts. The bacores are early figs, served at the same time of year. It is one of those combinations that makes complete sense once you live here, and very little sense if you are trying to explain it in a hurry to someone from Milton Keynes.
Try it if you get the chance. It is very Alicante.
7. Late-night mascletà in Pla del Bon Repós–La Goteta
Saturday 20 June, 23:59
Pla del Bon Repós–La Goteta
Free
There is a late-night mascletà in the Pla del Bon Repós–La Goteta area. This is one for people who like their fireworks after bedtime and their sleep schedule ruined with civic approval.
Sunday 21 June: awards, flowers, football and the free Hogueras bus
8. Free Hogueras bus begins
Sunday 21 to Wednesday 24 June
08:00–22:30, every 15 minutes
Starts at Avenida Maisonnave 2, by El Corte Inglés
Free
The special Hogueras bus is one of the most useful things happening this week. It covers the 12 Special Category hogueras and the official monument in Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Use it if you want to see the big ones without spending the entire afternoon turning into a sun-dried tomato.
9. Mascletà at Plaza Luceros
Sunday 21 June, 14:00
Plaza Luceros
Free
Another 14:00 mascletà at Luceros. At this point, you may find yourself ranking them. This is normal. It is also how Alicante slowly gets you.
10. Spain v Saudi Arabia
Sunday 21 June, 18:00 Spanish time
Sports bars around Alicante
Spain play Saudi Arabia at 18:00, which is a much more civilised kick-off time than some of the other World Cup fixtures this week. Red Corner, Little Duke and Austin’s are usually good places to try for football in Alicante, but check ahead if you are making specific plans.
There should be plenty of atmosphere around the city for this one, especially with Hogueras already in full swing. Spain, football, fireworks and beer in plastic cups. What could possibly go wrong?
11. First Flower Offering to the Virgen del Remedio
Sunday 21 June, 18:00
Route: Alfonso El Sabio, Rambla Méndez Núñez, Calle San José, Concatedral de San Nicolás, Rafael Altamira and Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Free to watch
The Ofrenda de Flores is one of the more beautiful parts of Hogueras. Thousands of foguerers and barraquers parade in traditional dress, carrying flowers to the Virgen del Remedio, Alicante’s patron saint.
This year marks 85 years of the offering, and it is often described as the oldest flower offering of its kind in Spain. It is not as loud as the mascletàs, obviously. Very little is. But it has a solemnity and grace that is well worth seeing, especially around San Nicolás and the old town streets.
12. Verbenas in barracas and racós
Sunday 21 June, from 22:00
Across Alicante
Mostly free to walk around
From 22:00, the barracas and racós get lively again. Expect music, food, drink and that particular Spanish ability to turn a temporary structure into a place where people behave as though they have been going there for generations.
Monday 22 June: Nanos i Gegants and the second Flower Offering
13. Nanos i Gegants parade
Monday 22 June, 13:00
Route: from Ayuntamiento, Calle Altamira and Avenida Alfonso X El Sabio
Free
The Nanos i Gegants are the traditional giant figures and big-headed characters that process through the city. It is fun, odd, old-fashioned and very photogenic. Children tend to love it, although small children may also decide that a giant papier-mâché head is not what they requested from their holiday.
14. Mascletà at Luceros
Monday 22 June, 14:00
Plaza Luceros
Free
The fifth mascletà of the competition. Same time, same square, same astonishing lack of concern for eardrums.
15. Second Flower Offering
Monday 22 June, 18:00
Route: Alfonso El Sabio, Rambla Méndez Núñez, Calle San José, Concatedral de San Nicolás, Rafael Altamira and Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Free to watch
The second session of the Ofrenda continues on Monday evening. If Sunday is too crowded or you want another chance to see the traditional dress and floral procession, Monday is the day.
Tuesday 23 June: one of the best parade days of the year
16. Nanos i Gegants
Tuesday 23 June, 13:00
Calle Altamira, Rambla and Alfonso X El Sabio
Free
Another outing for the Nanos i Gegants. Catch them before the mascletà if you are in the centre.
17. Mascletà at Luceros
Tuesday 23 June, 14:00
Plaza Luceros
Free
The sixth mascletà. By now, if you have been to several, you may be talking about the “terremoto” finish like a local. Congratulations. There may be no way back.
18. Dansà d’Alacant
Tuesday 23 June, 18:00
Around the official hogueras in Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Free
The Dansà d’Alacant brings traditional local dance to the official hogueras in Plaza del Ayuntamiento. It is one of those events that can easily be missed if you only chase the loudest parts of the fiesta, but it gives the day a different rhythm.
19. International Folklore Parade
Tuesday 23 June, 20:00
Route: Calle San Vicente, Avenida Alfonso X El Sabio, Rambla Méndez Núñez, Rafael Altamira and Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Free
This is one of our absolute favourites.
The International Folklore Parade is colourful, musical, generous and full of movement. It brings together traditions from the Comunitat Valenciana, other regions and invited countries, and it has a different feel from the more formal processions. It is warm, lively and genuinely joyful.
Get a place along the Rambla or near Rafael Altamira if you can. It gets busy, but this is one of the events where the crowds feel part of the spectacle rather than simply something to survive.
20. England v Ghana
Tuesday 23 June, 22:00 Spanish time
Sports bars around Alicante
England play Ghana at 22:00, which gives you just about enough time to watch the International Folklore Parade, grab something to eat, and then find a bar showing the football.
Red Corner, Little Duke and Austin’s are usually good places to try, but this is Hogueras week and normal routines can go out of the window. Check before you settle in, especially if you are emotionally invested in the result and not merely there for the crisps.
21. No beach bonfires this year
Tuesday 23 June night
Alicante beaches
Alicante has again ruled out private bonfires on the beach for San Juan night. Access to the beaches is not the issue; the restriction is on taking wood or materials to make bonfires, and glass bottles are also being kept out to prevent accidents and mass botellón problems.
So, by all means enjoy the beach atmosphere, but do not arrive at Postiguet with a pile of wood under your arm like an optimistic Viking. It is not happening this year.
Wednesday 24 June: the Palmera and the Cremà
22. Official San Juan Mass
Wednesday 24 June, 12:00
Concatedral de San Nicolás
Free
The official San Juan Mass takes place at San Nicolás at midday.
23. Final Nanos i Gegants parade
Wednesday 24 June, 13:00
Route: Ayuntamiento, Calle Altamira and Alfonso X El Sabio
Free
One last chance to see the Nanos i Gegants before the final big day moves towards the mascletà and the evening events.
24. Final mascletà at Luceros
Wednesday 24 June, 14:00
Plaza Luceros
Free
The last mascletà of the official competition. If you have only seen one before, try to make this one. Arrive early, bring water, and remember that Luceros at 14:00 in late June is not the moment for thick denim and heroic optimism.
25. The Palmera from Santa Bárbara Castle
Midnight, night of Wednesday 24 June
Visible from much of the city centre and seafront
Free
This is the big one.
At midnight, the monumental Palmera is fired from the top of Monte Benacantil, above Santa Bárbara Castle. It opens like a vast palm tree of fire over Alicante and signals the start of the Nit de la Cremà, when the official hoguera in Plaza del Ayuntamiento is burned first, followed by the rest of the hogueras around the city.
It is one of the great Alicante sights. Find a good viewpoint, be patient with the crowds, and do not expect to move quickly afterwards. Nobody moves quickly after the Palmera. Alicante becomes one big human cork.
26. La Cremà
After the Palmera, from midnight onwards
First Plaza del Ayuntamiento, then hogueras around the city
Free
La Cremà is the burning of the hogueras. Firefighters control the burns, crowds gather in each district, and the monuments that have filled the city for days disappear in flames.
The official hoguera in Plaza del Ayuntamiento is usually the first to burn, followed by the others. If you want the biggest atmosphere, head for the centre. If you want something a little easier to manage, choose a neighbourhood hoguera and stay local.
Thursday 25 June: fireworks by the sea and Scotland v Brazil
27. International Fireworks Competition
Thursday 25 June, 00:00
Playa del Cocó, beside Postiguet Beach
Free
The main Hogueras monuments may have burned, but Alicante is not finished. From 25 to 29 June, the International Fireworks Competition takes place by the sea at midnight.
This is a lovely way to end an evening. The fireworks are launched beside Postiguet, with the sea, castle and city all playing their part. It is popular, so arrive early if you want a decent spot.
28. Scotland v Brazil
Thursday 25 June, 00:00 Spanish time
Sports bars around Alicante
Scotland play Brazil at midnight, which means it clashes rather beautifully, or inconveniently, depending on your loyalties, with the first night of the fireworks competition by Postiguet.
Scottish fans may have a difficult choice: football in a bar, or fireworks by the sea. There are worse problems to have. If you want the match, check with Red Corner, Little Duke, Austin’s or another sports bar beforehand.
29. Another night for barracas, racós and late wandering
Thursday 25 June
Across the centre
Even after the Cremà, the city still has that post-fiesta glow. Walk the centre, have a drink, look at the remains of the hogueras, and enjoy the strange quiet that follows several days of drums, gunpowder and people shouting into plastic cups.
Friday 26 June: more fireworks and late football
30. Second night of the fireworks competition
Friday 26 June, 00:00
Playa del Cocó, beside Postiguet Beach
Free
The fireworks competition continues at midnight. If you missed Thursday, go Friday. If you went Thursday, go again and pretend you are comparing pyrotechnic structure and not just enjoying pretty explosions.
31. Spain v Uruguay
Night of Friday 26 / early Saturday 27 June, 02:00 Spanish time
Bars showing football may vary
Spain’s final group game against Uruguay is technically outside normal waking hours, unless you are 22, an insomniac, or still running on Hogueras fumes. Some sports bars may show it, but check before making elaborate plans.
For earlier matches this week, Red Corner, Little Duke and Austin’s are usually good places to try for World Cup football in Alicante.
Santa Bárbara Castle this week
32. Visit the castle before the Palmera
Open most days from 10:00 to 23:00 in summer
Closed on 24 June
Free entry to the castle grounds
Santa Bárbara Castle is one of the best places in Alicante at any time of year, but during Hogueras it has extra drama because it is where the Palmera is fired from on 24 June.
This week the castle is generally on summer hours, from 10:00 to 23:00, although it closes on 24 June itself and has special arrangements around the fireworks nights from 25 to 29 June.
There are guided tours in English. Current signage shows English visits at 11:00 and 15:30 from Monday to Friday, and at 11:00 and 15:30 on Saturday and Sunday, with other Spanish and dramatised visits also available. As always during fiesta week, check at the castle or tourist office before building your entire day around it.
A quieter hour: museums and galleries
33. MACA
Old Town, near the Basilica of Santa María
Usually free entry
MACA is a superb modern art museum in one of the loveliest corners of the Old Town. If you need an hour away from firecrackers, crowds and brass bands, this is a very civilised escape.
34. MUBAG
Old Town / Centro, Calle Gravina
Usually free entry
MUBAG, the Gravina Fine Arts Museum, is another good quiet option. It is close to the old town and seafront, so it fits easily into a slow wander between Hogueras events.
35. MARQ
Near Plaza Doctor Gómez Ulla
MARQ is Alicante’s archaeological museum and a good option if you want something away from the very centre. It is also air-conditioned, which in late June should be considered a cultural asset in its own right.
Do our self-guided walking tour
36. Spain’s City of Light: Alicante’s History and Highlights
If you want to understand the city behind the fiesta, our self-guided walking tour is available on VoiceMap. It takes you through Alicante’s history, old streets, landmarks and stories at your own pace, which is ideal during Hogueras because you can pause whenever you hit a parade, a closed street, or a sudden need for a cold beer.
Spain’s City of Light: Alicante’s History and Highlights
Practical tips for Hogueras week
Wear comfortable shoes. The fiesta is not kind to delicate footwear.
Take water, especially for the mascletàs. Luceros at 14:00 can be brutally hot.
Use the TRAM, walk, or use the free Hogueras bus. Do not rely on driving through the centre.
For mascletàs, arrive early and stand back if you are with children or anyone sensitive to loud noise.
For the Palmera and Cremà, choose your viewing spot early and accept that leaving afterwards will take time.
For the beach on San Juan night, remember: no private bonfires, no wood, and no glass bottles.
For World Cup football, check with bars before heading out, especially during Hogueras, when opening times, crowds and screens can all be a bit more chaotic than usual.
And finally, do not try to do everything. Hogueras is not a spreadsheet. Pick a few things, wander, follow the noise, eat something you do not quite recognise, and let Alicante do the rest.
