Costa Blanca North

Altea prepares for Castell de l’Olla fireworks display this August

Published

3 hours ago

July 29, 2026

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Altea hosts its famous sea-launched Castell de l’Olla fireworks display.
Photo Credit: Community of Valencia

The coastal town of Altea is gearing up to host one of the most visually stunning and widely anticipated social events on the Costa Blanca’s summer calendar: the Castell de l’Olla. Taking place on Saturday, August 8 a minute before midnight, this pyrotechnic show will attract tens of thousands of spectators to the shores of the Platja de l’Olla and the surrounding Villa Gadea gardens.

A breathtaking spectacle launched directly from the sea

The fireworks display will be launched from sea-bound floating platforms off the coast of Altea, and send thousands of rockets to light up the night sky with brilliant colours and intricate patterns to reflect off the dark water. This spectacle, with its breathtaking visual effects, is estimated to attract more than 50,000 people to the shores of this beautiful municipality. Dozens of small boats, yachts, and traditional vessels gather offshore to watch the show from the sea, while thousands of visitors line the pebble beach, promenade, and nearby terraces.

Honouring a beloved local pyrotechnician’s legacy

This festival originated decades ago as a tribute to a beloved local pyrotechnician, Blas Aznar. Following his passing, the town has been celebrating a special commemorative fireworks display organised in his honour, and it has become a tradition that has now spanned three decades. Today, this annual event holds significant prestige, having earned the Tourist Merit Award in the Gold category in 1999, followed by an official declaration as a Festival of Tourist Interest by the Generalitat Valenciana in 2007.

How to take part in the spectacular Castell de l’Olla show in Altea

The Castell de l’Olla is held each year on the Saturday closest to the feast day of Sant Llorenç, and has been integrated as part of the wider summer festivities of Altea la Vella. For the event, late-night tram services will connect Altea with nearby coastal towns, allowing residents and visitors alike to take part and enjoy the spectacle. Additionally, parking maps and travel updates will be available through Altea’s official mobile application.

Whether viewed from a blanket on the beach or from a boat on the water, the Castell de l’Olla in August is sure to provide an unforgettable summer night for residents and holidaymakers alike.

Costa Blanca North

Denia gears up for a summer of open-air jazz under the stars

Published

4 hours ago

July 29, 2026

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Denia hosts its twelfth annual jazz festival throughout August 2026.
Photo Credit: Denia Town Hall

With summer heating up along the Costa Blanca, the town of Denia will transform into a hub for live music with the return of the XII Denia Jazz Festival, a special event that, in August, will once more bring world-class jazz performers to one of the area’s most picturesque settings. Every Thursday evening in August, the festival will celebrate this unique and beloved genre of music and welcome both local and international talents in an unforgettable musical event.

Live jazz music returns to Denia this August at Torrecremada Gardens

The incredible twelfth edition of the Denia Jazz Festival will take place at the open-air grounds of the Torrecremada Gardens, a famed space in Denia that will provide the festival atmosphere with lush palm trees, historical architecture, and a romantic setting. Each concert will take place at 10:30pm, with doors officially opening at 9:00pm, offering attendees the chance to enjoy the live music during a warm Mediterranean summer.

Full concert lineup for the 12th edition

This event will prioritise artistic quality and stylistic variety, bringing together renowned international jazz vocalists, trumpeters, and fusion ensembles. The festival will open on Thursday, August 6, with the Sara Oschlag Quartet, where the Danish jazz singer delivers a refined performance celebrating classic jazz traditions alongside Joel González on piano, Queralt Camps on double bass, and Xavi Hinojosa on drums.

The festival will continue on August 13 when the Joan Mar Sauqué Quintet will take the stage, as the rising Spanish trumpeter presents a dynamic set blending original compositions with hard-bop and cool jazz, accompanied by vocalist Eugenia Serra. Then, August 20 will see pianist Alex Conde bring his internationally recognised fusion of flamenco rhythms and jazz improvisation to Denia alongside bassist Pablo Martín Caminero and percussionist José Ruiz “Bandolero”.

Finally, on August 27, award-winning American jazz vocalist Lucy Wijnands closes the season with an elegant evening of swing and timeless standards.

Ticket prices, venue access, and parking information for interested jazz lovers

In order to make it easier for interested visitors to attend the event, organisers have provided a free public parking space located opposite the entrance on Denia’s Passeig Ricardo Ortega. Tickets purchased in advance will cost €15 and can be purchased through Notikumi or in person at local outlets in Denia, including the Ale-Hop store on Calle Marques de Campo and Publics Bookstore on Calle Patricio Ferrandiz. On concert nights, the remaining tickets will be available at the venue box office from 8:00pm onward for €17.

Jazz aficionados, curious newcomers to the genre, or those who are simply looking for an idyllic evening under the stars are all invited to attend the twelfth edition of this beloved event, in one of the most musical municipalities on the Costa Blanca.

Costa Blanca North

History comes alive as Marina Alta’s iconic human tower honours King Jaume I

Published

2 days ago

July 27, 2026

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History is often remembered in books and museums, but some traditions keep it alive before our eyes. Seven and a half centuries after the death of King Jaume I, the ruler who founded the Kingdom of Valencia, the Muixeranga de la Marina Alta transformed the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Poblet into a living tribute. Performing their iconic human towers beside the monarch’s tomb, they created a moving spectacle that united history, culture and Valencian identity in one of the most symbolic commemorations of the anniversary year.

The ceremony held on Saturday July 25 marked the 750th anniversary of the death of the monarch, remembered as the founder of the Kingdom of Valencia, and brought together history, culture and music in a setting rich with symbolism. For the performers from the Marina Alta, it was a rare opportunity to showcase one of the Valencian Community’s most treasured cultural traditions in front of the royal pantheon where Jaume I is buried.

Human towers at the royal pantheon

The emotional event unfolded inside the historic monastery in Tarragona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the resting place of several kings of the Crown of Aragon. After a programme of medieval music and historical reflection, members of the Muixeranga entered the royal pantheon to raise their distinctive human towers in honour of the king.

Accompanied by the traditional sound of the dolçaina, the carefully choreographed performance was watched in respectful silence before being met with warm applause from those attending the ceremony. Organisers said the tribute was intended not only to honour Jaume I but also to celebrate the enduring importance of Valencian cultural heritage.

History brought to life

Adding historical context to the occasion was Catalan philologist and Rovira i Virgili University professor Magí Sunyer, who delivered a talk exploring the life and legacy of Jaume I. His presentation examined the political significance of the monarch’s reign and highlighted medieval works including the Llibre dels Fets and the writings of Ramon Muntaner, helping to place the anniversary within its wider historical context.

The atmosphere was further enhanced by live medieval music performed by Pablo Alcaide, whose repertoire recreated the sounds associated with the era of the Reconquest and complemented the solemnity of the occasion.

A growing symbol of Marina Alta

Originally established in Pego in 2008 before expanding across the comarca and adopting the name Muixeranga de la Marina Alta in 2017, the organisation has become one of the region’s leading ambassadors for Valencian tradition. The group now includes more than 200 members and is recognised for mastering increasingly complex human tower formations while preserving customs that have been passed down through generations.

Their appearance at Poblet represented far more than a performance. It highlighted the role local cultural organisations continue to play in keeping regional traditions alive and introducing them to wider audiences beyond the Marina Alta.

As commemorations marking the 750th anniversary of Jaume I’s death continue throughout the year, the tribute at Poblet will be remembered as one of the most symbolic moments, uniting history, identity and living tradition beneath the walls of one of the Iberian Peninsula’s most significant medieval monasteries.