If you’re looking for whats on in Alicante this week, this period is dominated by one huge event in the city’s calendar: Three Kings. Alongside the parades, there’s live music, theatre, exhibitions, regular weekly meet-ups and plenty of ways to fill the quieter days that follow.
Whats on in Alicante this week: the main highlights
👑 Monday 5 January – Three Kings Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes Magos)
The Cabalgata de Reyes Magos is the biggest and most important event of the week — and for many families, the biggest of the year. Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar arrive with floats, music, marching bands and an extraordinary amount of sweets thrown into the crowd, with catching as many as possible very much part of the fun.
- Date: Monday 5 January
- Start: Early evening
- Route: from Plaza Luceros → Avenida Alfonso X El Sabio (past Mercado Central) → Rambla de Méndez Núñez → Plaza del Ayuntamiento
The stretch between Mercado Central and the top of the Rambla is a particularly good place to watch, combining atmosphere with prime sweet-catching territory.
Important: Tuesday 6 January is a bank holiday (Día de Reyes). Many smaller shops and businesses will be closed or operating reduced hours, although bars, cafés and tourist attractions often remain open.
✉️ Sunday 4 January – Cabalgata de las Carteras Reales
The night before the main parade, the Carteras Reales (Royal Messengers) parade through the city collecting letters that children have written to the Three Kings.
- Date: Sunday 4 January
- Time: From 18:00
- Route: Plaza de España → Rambla de Méndez Núñez → Fondo Rambla, where the formal letter collection takes place
🌙 Belly dancing – Tetería Luz de la Luna (Los Ángeles barrio)
A warm, friendly and very low-key cultural evening at Tetería Luz de la Luna, located in the Los Ángeles barrio — a neighbourhood name that often surprises visitors.
There’s belly dancing to North African and Middle Eastern music, with the option to eat there or simply watch the dancing. When we went, Anabel and I had a great time, and by the end of the night they encouraged everyone to have a go, creating a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.
It’s a short taxi ride from the centre.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064689576681
🎶 Concerts and live music
Rufus T. Firefly – live concert
Friday 9 January, 20:00
A significant cult band in Spain, praised for their energetic live shows and albums like Magnolia, Loto, and El largo mañana.
https://www.taquilla.com/entradas/rufus-t-firefly?t10venue=294897&t10id=1163
ADDA Alicante – Ritual
Sunday 11 January, 19:00
Ritual is a carefully curated solo concert by Isabel Villanueva (viola), exploring music as a ceremonial, almost meditative experience. The programme moves from medieval works by Hildegard von Bingen through Bach and contemporary composers, performed in one of Alicante’s best concert halls.
https://addaalicante.es/concierto/ritual/
🎭 Theatre in the city centre
Teatro Principal de Alicante (Centro, Plaza Ruperto Chapí)
These performances fall within the 5–11 January date range:
- Tuesday 6 January: The ice Queen (Family musical ) Spanish Language
- Thursday 8 January: Queen – The Best Tribute
- Friday 9 January: Queen – The Best Tribute
- Saturday 10 January: Divine Words – Spanish language production
- Sunday 11 January: Champions 2 – Spanish Language Comedy
Full programme and ticket details:
https://www.teatroprincipaldealicante.com/programacion/septiembre-2025-enero-2026/
🎶 Live gigs at Entre Bambalinas
Entre Bambalinas is one of Alicante’s most reliable small venues, with events almost every day. It’s a cosy, intimate space, and one of its biggest pluses is that you can order food and eat at your table while watching the performance.
This week’s listings include jazz, flamenco and live music performances across multiple evenings.
Full event listings:
https://entrebambalinas.es/eventos/
👠 Drag show – La Casa delle Folie
La Casa delle Folie hosts a weekly drag show, usually with two performances on Saturdays, the earliest around 19:00. The format is simple and joyful: drag acts to Spanish pop and disco, a small crowd, and a lot of energy.
Entry is typically €10 including a drink. We’ve been several times and always have a great night — it’s the sort of place where you plan to “just watch” and end up dancing anyway.
https://www.facebook.com/p/La-Casa-delle-Follie-Alicante-100063463152158/
🎡 Christmas fairground and festive markets
Feria de Navidad – Rabasa Fairground
The Christmas fairground at Recinto Ferial Rabasa continues into January, with rides, games and food stalls.
Buses L04, L07, L09 and L11 serve the area from the city, and taxis are an easy option late in the evening.
https://alicanteout.com/agenda-turismo-y-aire-libre/feria-de-navidad-alicante-2025-2026/
Christmas market – Paseo Federico Soto (Centro)
A smaller, pleasant Christmas market on the palm-lined Paseo Federico Soto, directly opposite El Corte Inglés. A good spot for handmade jewellery, soaps and small gifts — and a very easy stop if you’re already in the centre.
🖼️ Museums and galleries
MUBAG – La época romántica
An ongoing exhibition at the Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina, running well into the new year and ideal for a quieter afternoon.
https://alicanteout.com/arte-y-exposiciones-alicante/exposicion-la-epoca-romantica-en-el-mubag/
The Ocean Race Museum (Port area)
A free museum dedicated to the Ocean Race. Opinions vary, but we personally learned a lot and really enjoyed it.
https://www.theoceanrace.com/en/museum
Las Cigarreras Cultural Centre (Carolinas Bajas)
A former cigarette factory turned cultural centre behind Plaza de Toros. There’s usually an exhibition on, and it makes for a rewarding wander away from the main tourist routes.
https://lascigarreras.es/
🍽️ Food and experiences (ticketed)
- Traditional flamenco show – Palacio Marbeuf (Experience the passion of flamenco at the Marbeuf Palace in Alicante. Enjoy a traditional performance with talented dancers, singers, and guitarists in an intimate setting right in the heart of Alicante’s old town.)
Book your seats - Paella cooking class with market visit – Join this very popular Alicante paella cooking class visiting the local market and joining a local chef for a hands-on cooking class. You also will taste traditional tapas and local drinks.
Reserve Now - Small-group countryside wine tour – Discover Alicante’s countryside with certified local wine guides from a small family-run company. Visit a boutique winery and taste four authentic regional wines in a relaxed small-group tour.
More info
🚶 Walking and low-key plans
Palacio de la Diputación
A beautiful, elegant building located between the train station and Plaza Luceros, traditionally decorated during the Christmas period.
https://www.dip-alicante.es/
Alicante walks without a car
Easy half-day walking routes that don’t require transport.
https://thisisalicante.com/alicante-walks-easy-half-day-routes-you-can-enjoy-without-a-car
Self-guided walking tour of Alicante
A flexible way to explore the city’s history at your own pace.
https://voicemap.me/tour/alicante/spain-s-city-of-light-alicante-s-history-and-highlights
Hidden corners and small discoveries
Ideas for slower wandering and overlooked details.
https://thisisalicante.com/hidden-treasures-of-alicante/
🎬 Cinema and shopping
VOSE cinema – Plaza Mar 2
Films shown in original language with Spanish subtitles run every week.
https://www.plazamar2.com/cines/kinepolis
Plaza Mar 2 Shopping Centre
A large indoor shopping centre with shops, cafés, restaurants and cinema.
https://www.plazamar2.com/
🤝 Regular weekly meet-ups
- Language exchange – El Gato Cool (Centro, Calle Santos Médicos 4) – (details)
- Open Mic – El Gato Cool
- Beach volleyball (winter timings) more details
- Friday jam session – The Robins Pub
- Free Salsa Class – Jan 7th (every other Weds) details
As always, it’s sensible to double-check social posts or listings in case of holiday changes.
💊 24-hour pharmacies
Alicante operates a rotating system of farmacias de guardia for nights, weekends and bank holidays.
https://farmacias365.com/farmacias-de-guardia/alicante
