What’s on in Alicante this week includes Alicante Pride, Spain in the World Cup Final, the final weekend of Hogueras in San Vicente, Cirque du Soleil, live music, theatre, jazz, comedy at the castle (In Spanish , we think) and enough summer activity to make staying indoors feel faintly defeatist.
This is a week with a proper Alicante mixture: football, fireworks, parades, music, castle views and a little bit of comic-book nostalgia. In other words, don’t make too many sensible plans.
What’s on in Alicante this week : Alicante Pride march
If you have never been to Alicante Pride before, you might be surprised by just how much fun it is. It is loud, colourful and full of music, dancing, banners and people enjoying themselves. The atmosphere is friendly, energetic and rather difficult to ignore — even if you only planned to watch for a few minutes.
The main Alicante Pride march takes place on Saturday 18 July, setting off from Plaza de los Luceros and finishing in Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
The council programme says the march starts at 19:00, with the manifesto read at 21:00 in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, followed by music and performances. Some listings have mentioned an earlier gathering time, so it is worth arriving around Luceros before 19:00 if you want a good place to watch or join the march.
This is one of Alicante’s biggest public events of the weekend, so allow extra time if you are moving around Luceros, Avenida Alfonso X El Sabio, La Rambla or Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
Where: from Plaza de los Luceros to Plaza del Ayuntamiento
When: Saturday 18 July, march from 19:00
Language: mostly visual and musical, so Spanish is not essential.
Tip: check the final route before setting off, especially if you are planning to meet friends en route. “I’m by the rainbow flag” may not be the most precise location this weekend.
Spain v Argentina in the World Cup Final
For many people in Alicante, the biggest event of the week will not involve a stage, a ticket or a procession. It will involve a football, a great deal of shouting and Spain trying to win the World Cup for the second time …”Vamos España!!!”.
Spain play Argentina in the World Cup Final on Sunday 19 July at 21:00 Spanish time.
Alicante Council is showing the match on the giant screens at the Centro de Tecnificación Deportiva at Monte Tossal, with free entry. Previous Spain matches have opened around one hour before kick-off, but for a World Cup Final involving Spain, arriving early would be less “good idea” and more basic survival strategy.
Where: Centro de Tecnificación Deportiva, Monte Tossal
When: Sunday 19 July, 21:00
Price: Free
Tip: Monte Tossal is in the San Blas area, so it is walkable (about 20-30 mins) from the centre for many people, but expect it to be busy. This one is alcohol free (note: that’s not the same as Free Alcohol !)
The match will also be shown in plenty of Alicante’s sports bars. Red Corner, Little Duke and Austin’s are the obvious places to check if you prefer the match with a pint and a slightly more controlled escape route. Although the areas around red corner and Austins can get crazy for World Cup Games – so you’ll need to arrive very early to find a seat.
Alicante also has a large Argentinian community, so the city may not be quite as one-sided as you might imagine. If Argentina win, expect plenty of blue-and-white flags (and drums) too.
We were here when Spain won the Euros 2 years ago. the atmosphere on the streets was electric all night afterwards.
France v England: third-place playoff
England’s final match of the tournament is the third-place playoff against France on Saturday 18 July at 23:00 Spanish time.
It may not be the final England wanted, but it is still a World Cup match against France, which means English bars will be paying attention, muttering darkly and pretending not to care quite as much as they do.
Where to watch: sports bars around Alicante
When: Saturday 18 July, 23:00
Language: depends where you watch it, but football disappointment is international.
Hogueras final weekend in San Vicente del Raspeig
If you still have room in your life for more fireworks, processions and late-night fiesta noise, San Vicente del Raspeig finishes its Hogueras y Barracas celebrations this weekend.
The final weekend includes three mascletàs, the flower offering, the cremà and more than 300 kilos of gunpowder across the main pyrotechnic events. San Vicente’s Hogueras are smaller than Alicante’s main June celebrations, but still full of local atmosphere and easy to reach from the city.
Friday 17 July
12:00 – Barraca parade / charanga del Barraquer
Route: Plaza Santa Faz, Avenida de la Libertad and Plaza de España.
12:45 – Barracas and decorated streets prize-giving
On the steps of Plaza de España.
14:00 – First mascletà
Parque Juan XXIII.
21:00 – General parade and monument prize-giving
Route: Calle Alicante, Avenida Ancha de Castelar, Avenida de la Libertad and Plaza de España.
Saturday 18 July
14:00 – Second mascletà
Parque Juan XXIII.
21:00 – Flower offering to Nuestra Señora del Carmen Coronada and singing of the San Vicente hymn
Route: Calle Alicante, Avenida Ancha de Castelar and Avenida de la Libertad.
Sunday 19 July
12:00 – Official visit to the winning hogueras.
14:00 – Third mascletà
Parque Juan XXIII.
14:15 – Flower offering prize-giving and announcement of the mascletà competition result.
00:00 – Cremà of the official hogueras
Plaza de España.
01:30 – Cremà of the adult and children’s first-prize winning hogueras.
There are also free guided visits about the history of the Hogueras y Barracas on 17, 18 and 19 July, with tours at 11:00 and 19:00 from Plaza de España. Booking is required through the San Vicente tourist office.
Getting there from Alicante: take TRAM Line 2 from Luceros towards Sant Vicent del Raspeig, or use the 24 bus from Alicante.
Tip: check the return timetable before staying late. San Vicente is close, but “close” feels different when you have missed the last convenient way home.
Programme and visitor information
Cirque du Soleil: KURIOS at Playa de San Juan
Cirque du Soleil is now in Alicante with KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities, running under the Big Top at Playa de San Juan until 23 August.
The show has a mechanical, steampunk, cabinet-of-wonders feel, with acrobatics, theatre, live music and Cirque du Soleil’s usual talent for making ordinary human movement look deeply inadequate. It is built around a curious inventor known as “The Seeker”, whose world fills with strange characters, dreamlike machines and the sort of physical skill that makes stretching before a walk suddenly seem ambitious.
Where: Big Top, Playa de San Juan
When: until 23 August
Language: largely visual, so Spanish is not required.
Getting there: TRAM is likely the easiest option. The Costa Blanca stop is very close to the Big Top and is a much better idea than gambling your evening on parking near Playa de San Juan.
Tintin exhibition at Santa Bárbara Castle
A new Tintin exhibition is open at Santa Bárbara Castle, offering a colourful journey through the world created by Hergé.
The exhibition brings together figures, scenes, comics, vehicles and collector’s items from the Tintin universe. Visitors can see recreations and objects linked to some of the best-known characters and stories, including Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock.
The display is divided into four themed spaces: Tintin’s Imaginary Museum, the 1972 Christmas Greeting, the Lunar Jeep and Haddock’s Convertible. It is a good family diversion, but also a pleasingly nostalgic one for adults who grew up with the books and still remember when a comic could send you to the moon before the internet had the chance to ruin your attention span.
Where: Santa Bárbara Castle
When: until 10 January 2027
Price: ages 4–16: €3; ages 16+: €4; family pass for four people: €10
Language: mostly visual, so Spanish is not essential.
Tip: combine it with the castle views or an evening visit when the heat is less offensive.
Comedy at Santa Bárbara Castle
Santa Bárbara Castle is also running a summer programme of comedy and family activities during July and August, with performances taking place in one of Alicante’s best settings.
This week’s comedy performance is Juanma Molina on Saturday 18 July at 20:00, part of the castle’s summer comedy series.
Where: Santa Bárbara Castle
When: Saturday 18 July, 20:00
Language: SPANISH. This is a comedy show, so a good understanding of Spanish will be needed.
Tip: combine it with sunset views from the castle, but check access and return arrangements before going.
FRESCA! performing arts festival
FRESCA!, Alicante’s summer performing arts festival, is one of the more varied cultural answers to what’s on in Alicante this week, running from 17 to 25 July with theatre, dance, circus, flamenco and family performances across the city. The official programme lists 11 shows across the festival.
This is one to check carefully before booking, because some shows are highly visual while others depend on spoken Spanish. If you are visiting Alicante and do not speak Spanish, look first for circus, dance, flamenco or more physical theatre.
Where: Alicante
When: 17–25 July
Language: varies by performance. Check before booking.
Tip: Spanish-language theatre can be a long evening if you only understood the title and then hoped for the best. Dance, circus and flamenco are usually safer choices for non-Spanish speakers.
Free world music concert at the Diputación gardens
On Friday 17 July at 20:00, Casanovas Orquesta performs “Las músicas del Mundo” in the Jardines del Palacio de la Diputación de Alicante, on Avenida de la Estación.
The concert is directed by José Francisco Sánchez and features violinist Heorhii Sokolov as soloist. The programme is described as a musical journey around the world, making it a good central option before dinner or before heading on to other Friday-night plans. There will be pieces by Mozart and Lennon & McCartney among others.
Where: Jardines del Palacio de la Diputación, Avenida de la Estación
When: Friday 17 July, 20:00
Language: music concert, so Spanish is not essential.
Price: free.
More Information:
Verano de Músicas in Plaza del Ayuntamiento
The Verano de Músicas programme continues in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, bringing free evening concerts to the city centre throughout July and August. The council says the full summer cycle includes 21 concerts in the square.
This week’s confirmed performances include:
Friday 17 July at 21:00 – Vera Lu Quintet: “Bloom”
Vocal jazz in the square.
Sunday 19 July at 20:00 – Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Alicante
A free concert by Alicante’s municipal symphonic band. This does clash beautifully with Spain in the World Cup Final, so attendance may depend on how many people in Alicante are feeling heroically cultured.
Wednesday 23 July at 20:00 – Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Alicante
Friday 24 July at 21:00 – Tronía
A dance/flamenco performance in the square.
Where: Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Price: Free
Language: music and dance, so Spanish is not essential, although introductions may be in Spanish.
FIJAZZ at ADDA
ADDA’s summer jazz programme continues this week with more concerts in the Festival Internacional de Jazz de Alicante.
The standout this weekend is:
Saturday 18 July at 20:30 – Niño Josele: “Paz”
The Almerían guitarist brings a flamenco-jazz programme to ADDA, making this a good cultural option if you want music rather than football, Pride or pyrotechnics. That is quite a strong act of independence this weekend.
Where: ADDA, Paseo de Campoamor
When: Saturday 18 July, 20:30
Language: music concert, so Spanish is not essential.
Aquarela Music at Muelle Live
Aquarela Music reaches its final stretch at Muelle Live, beside Alicante’s port.
The end of the programme includes the Operación Triunfo 2025 Tour on Friday 17 July, bringing the latest OT performers to the Alicante waterfront.
Where: Muelle Live, Muelle 12 de Levante, Puerto de Alicante
When: Friday 17 July
Language: SPANISH. Songs, stage chat and the audience atmosphere will largely be in Spanish.
Tip: check the official ticket page for door times and availability before heading down to the port.
LOS40 Summer Live in Santa Pola
For a nearby football-and-music option, LOS40 Summer Live takes place at Playa Varadero in Santa Pola on Sunday 19 July.
The event begins with the World Cup Final on a giant screen at 20:00, followed by live music. The published line-up includes names such as Nil Moliner, Walls, Ruslana, Lala Love You, Adexe and Nau, among others. Entry is free until capacity is reached.
Where: Playa Varadero, Santa Pola
When: Sunday 19 July, from 20:00
Price: Free until full capacity
Language: Spanish-language music event.
Getting there: plan transport carefully. Santa Pola is close enough for a summer evening trip, but not something to improvise at 23:30 after a final.
A proper Alicante night out: Discoteca Wilson
Not every night out in Alicante has to involve queueing with people young enough to consider 2008 “retro”. For something a little more grown-up, Discoteca Wilson has been part of Alicante nightlife for many years and is especially popular with a more mature Spanish and South American crowd.
Wilson is a long-running Alicante disco on Calle Pintor Aparicio, 15, in the city centre (just off Plaza Seneca). Apparently, this Alicante nightlife institution has been going for decades, while its own Facebook page shows regular party nights and local events. (alicantetop.com)
This is the sort of place where the age range can run from people in their 40s to people happily dancing into their 70s and beyond. Expect familiar Spanish and international music, proper dancing and a crowd that has long since stopped caring whether anyone else thinks they look cool. Frankly, that is one of the great freedoms of getting older.
It is a useful option if you want a late night in Alicante but do not particularly fancy student bars, thudding reggaeton until dawn or pretending that standing in a fashionable corner counts as dancing.
Where: Calle Pintor Aparicio, 15, Alicante
Best for: a more mature night out, dancing and classic disco, salsa vibes atmosphere
Language: Dancing remains one of the better international languages.
Tip: check opening days, times and any special nights before going, as schedules can vary.
Coming next: Noches Mágicas in Sant Joan de Alicante
Just outside the main part of this week’s guide, Noches Mágicas begins at Jardines de Abril in Sant Joan d’Alacant, one of the lovelier summer concert settings near Alicante.
The festival opens on Friday 24 July with the 80’s Summer Party, followed on Saturday 25 July by the 90’s Summer Party, featuring names including Twenty 4 Seven, Just Luis, Viceversa and Double You.
Expect dance, pop, nostalgia and quite possibly a sudden memory of what your knees were capable of in 1996.
Where: Jardines de Abril, Sant Joan d’Alacant
When: from Friday 24 July
Getting there: this is not really a casual walk from Alicante city centre. Check TRAM/bus options or plan a taxi, especially for the return journey.
Language: mostly music, so Spanish is not essential.
Cinema around Alicante
If the heat gets silly, or if you simply want two hours of air-conditioning with popcorn, the AlicanteOut cinema listings are a useful place to check what is showing around the area.
The guide covers local cinemas and current films, including options around Alicante and nearby towns.
Explore Alicante on our very own self-guided walking tour!!!
If you are still wondering what’s on in Alicante this week beyond the big events, cinema listings, beach plans and summer concerts, a self-guided walk is a useful fallback when the heat, crowds or football nerves become too much.
Our self-guided Alicante walking tour covers the city’s history, landmarks and some of the stories that are easily missed when you are simply wandering about hoping to stumble across something interesting.
The tour runs through the old town and central Alicante using your phone, so you can stop for coffee, lunch or emergency shade whenever you please.
Book the Alicante audio walking tour
As always, times and programmes can change, especially with outdoor events, fiestas and anything involving large crowds. Check the organiser’s page before making a special journey.
