Alicante and Valencia celebrate the day of the Valencian Community (‘Dia de la Comunitat Valenciana’)
The 9th of October is a local holiday on the Costa Blanca as it commemorates the conquest of Valencia in 1238 by King James I, liberating it from Muslim rule.
To commemorate this date, Valencian Community cities fill their streets with activities and events.
In Alicante, celebrations kick off on Monday 8 October, in the Town Hall square with a concert named after the date (9 d’octubre) by the municipal orchestra followed by fireworks in Alicante Volvo port area at 24.00. At 12.00 on Tuesday 9 October visitors will be able to enjoy a colourful parade of dance groups, Nanos i Gegans and collas de dolçainers i tabaleters, starting at the Town Hall square and ending at the end of Alicante’s Esplanade.
In Valencia different events are also planned for Monday 8 October, with the ‘Palau de la Generalitat’ opening its doors and offering different events such as local food tasting or guided tours. The evening starts at 20.00 with a hours enjoy a concert to commemorate the occasion followed by dancing and Valencian songs. To round off the day at 24.00 there will be a fireworks display in the Cauce Viejo del Río Turia. The following day the city will awake to concerts, processions, floral offerings and a ‘mascletà’ (loud fireworks) in the Town Hall square. The afternoon will be rounded off with a spectacular Moors and Christians parade.
