Local & Spanish

Costa Blanca Gears Up for Festival Week with Fallas and St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Costa Blanca / 15 March 2026

The Costa Blanca is preparing for a lively week of celebrations as visitors arrive for the annual Las Fallas festivities in Benidorm, alongside St Patrick’s Day celebrations across the resort.

As preparations get underway, Benidorm City Council’s Department of Mobility has announced a series of road closures and traffic diversions in areas where festival monuments, fairs and Fallas association headquarters are being installed.

The first closures affect the neighbourhoods of Els Tolls and Rincón de Loix, where Fallas monuments and event spaces are being prepared.

In the city centre, the section of Tomás Ortuño Street between Venus Street and Ondulada Street will close to traffic closed from 11:30 p.m. last Friday 13 March until 3:00 a.m. on Friday 20 March due to the installation of the Els Tolls Fallas fair. During this time, vehicle access from Ondulada and Maravall streets to El Cruce will remain open.

In Rincón de Loix, the section of Ametlla del Mar Avenue between Estocolmo Street and Madrid Avenue—where the Fallas committee tent is located—is already closed to traffic. This closure will extend to Mediterráneo Avenue from the night of Thursday 13 March and will remain in place until 21 March.

Additional temporary road closures are expected from Tuesday 17 March due to festival events including parades, processions, fireworks displays and the traditional burning of the monuments during the cremà.

Motorists are also advised of special traffic restrictions on Saint Joseph's Day, 19 March, when the popular mascletà fireworks displays take place. From 5:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Tomás Ortuño Street will be closed between Ondulada–Maravall streets and El Cruce, while Otoño Street will also be closed between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

While Benidorm will see the largest crowds during the festival week, nearby towns including Altea, L'Alfàs del Pi, La Nucía and Finestrat continue to welcome visitors seeking a quieter Costa Blanca experience.

Tourism officials say the combination of cultural festivals, entertainment and spring sunshine makes March one of the most vibrant times to visit the region.

The coastal town of Altea continues to attract visitors with its historic old town, galleries and live music venues, while L'Alfàs del Pi and nearby Albir remain popular for beachside restaurants and community events.

Further inland, La Nucía is hosting sports activities and cultural events throughout the week, while Finestrat offers scenic mountain walks and traditional village dining just minutes from the coast.

Tourism officials say the combination of festivals, entertainment and early spring sunshine makes March one of the most exciting times to visit the Costa Blanca.

With daytime temperatures often reaching the low 20s, visitors are expected to enjoy a vibrant mix of culture, nightlife and outdoor activities throughout the region.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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Costa Blanca Gears Up for Festival Week with Fallas and St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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