9 October and the Mocadorà: the Costa Blanca's regional day, decoded

If you live on the Costa Blanca, mark this date: 9 October. It's the public holiday of the Valencian Community, a unique mix of regional pride, historic ceremony and a charming tradition of love. Here's how to decode it so you don't miss out.

What's commemorated

9 October marks the entry of King Jaume I (James I of Aragon) into Valencia in 1238, the founding act of the old Kingdom of Valencia, which the Costa Blanca was part of. It's also Sant Donís (St Denis) in the calendar. The date is a public holiday across the whole Valencian Community, the province of Alicante included.

What happens in the province

In Alicante, Elche and the towns of the Costa Blanca, the day is marked by civic and institutional events: raising of the flag, official receptions, concerts and entertainment, often with the Reial Senyera (the historic flag) and the Valencian language to the fore. The mood swings from solemn to festive, with music and, in places, a mascletà. It's the great affirmation of regional identity.

The Mocadorà: the Valencian Valentine's Day. On 9 October, custom has it that you give your loved one a silk handkerchief (the mocador) tied around little marzipan pastries, shaped as fruits and vegetables of the huerta, plus two emblematic pieces, la piuleta and el tronador, made in the shape of firecrackers.

A tradition born of a ban

The story is a good one: in 1738, firecrackers were reportedly banned for the festivities, and the pastry-makers are said to have got around the rule by creating sweets that mimicked firecrackers. The marzipan piuleta and tronador were born that way. The almond-paste fruits and vegetables, for their part, symbolise the fertility of the huerta.

Where to find the sweets

In the traditional bakeries and ovens (forns) of the province, in the days before 9 October, when the queues build fast. A handmade mocadorà usually costs between €30 and €65 depending on weight and pieces, with cheaper versions in supermarkets. It's the family occasion par excellence: you buy, you share, you tuck in.

The official programme of events varies each year (times, routes): check your town's calendar as the date nears. To go deeper into local identity, read our piece on the Valencian language.

Frequently asked questions

Is 9 October a public holiday on the Costa Blanca? Yes. It's the Day of the Valencian Community, a holiday across the whole region, including the province of Alicante.

What is the Mocadorà? The Valencian "Valentine's Day": on 9 October you give a loved one marzipan sweets (shaped as fruit, vegetables and firecrackers) wrapped in a silk handkerchief, the mocador.

Sources

• Comunitat Valenciana: the 9 d'Octubre, regional day
• Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua

Information verified in July 2026. Programmes, times and addresses change: always confirm with the official source before setting out. The Daily Costa Blanca is an AI-assisted publication with human review. Spotted a mistake? Drop us a line and we'll fix it. How we work.