| Local parties in Alicante |
| Moors and Christians |
| This age-old festivity, commemorating former Christian battles for the reconquest of these lands from the Moors, is held in various quarters of Alicante and all include entry processions, called entradas - with groups from each side parading into the town in filaes all arrayed in splendid costume. They take place in Villafranqueza (March), San Blas (June) and in the quarters of Altozano and José Antonio in August. |
| Carnival |
| Even the street benches are especially decorated for the Alicante Carnival. On Saturday, called Sábado Ramblero, there are parades down Rambla Avenue featuring carnival costumes, ending with a festivity called the "Funeral Wake and Burial of the Sardine". Held on the weekend and days leading up to Ash Wednesday. |
| Semana Santa (Holy Week) |
From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday a total of 27 brotherhoods take part in processions carrying floats or effigies called pasos, some of which are authentic masterworks by famous artists such as Salzillo, Bussi, Avalos or Castillo Lastrucci. Of note among the processions are that of the Holy Cross because it goes up the steep streets in the old quarter, the Procession of Silence, and the "Two Encounters" between Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The Santa Cena (Holy Supper) float is the largest in Spain and is carried by 208 porters. This is a movable feast falling in either March or April.
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