FIGA brings 7 free bands to Gata de Gorgos on 29 August

Today's essentials (5 key points)

• AEMET has warned of 'very adverse' heat nearing 43 degrees in Alicante province on Wednesday and Thursday before the extreme spell fades.
• Alicante-Elche airport passed the twelve-million-passenger mark in 2016, a figure AlicanteOut cites as proof of the Costa Blanca's tourism health.
• The Ramón Ortega adult education centre in Dénia opens enrolment for its language, IT and formal courses on 3 September.
• Santa Pola's Carrera al Amanecer drew a record 2,250 runners for its 30th edition along the seafront.
• The second Elche Paddle Festival takes over the beach at Arenales del Sol this weekend.

Today's essentials

FIGA brings 7 free bands to Gata de Gorgos on 29 August. The FIGA (Festivalet Independent de Gata), a free independent music festival, returns on Saturday 29 August 2026 at the Parc Enric Valor (the old football ground) in Gata de Gorgos, in the Marina Alta, with seven bands playing from 13:00 until past 02:00 and free entry for everyone, according to La Marina Plaza.

Weather today

Overcast and warm across the Costa Blanca today. Alicante and the southern coast sit under grey skies today, Wednesday 26 August 2026, with highs around 31 degrees and barely any rain, according to Open-Meteo.

In Alicante city, expect a low of 23 degrees and a high of 31, overcast skies, a 3 percent chance of rain and a light breeze up to 13 km/h, according to Open-Meteo. Down the coast around Torrevieja the picture is almost identical, 23 to 31 degrees with cloud cover and gentle wind, so the beach stays comfortable through the day.

Inland, Villena climbs a little higher, from 20 degrees at dawn to 32 in the afternoon, with a stiffer breeze reaching 25 km/h and an 8 percent chance of a shower. The cloud will not bring much relief from the heat, so keep water on hand, save any effort for the early morning or the evening, and do not let the grey sky fool you into skipping the sunscreen.

Transport & traffic

• Alicante airport, 12 million passengers a year. Alicante-Elche airport recorded its twelve-millionth passenger of the year back in 2016, a milestone AlicanteOut points to as a sign of the Costa Blanca's tourism strength. That scale of traffic is exactly what keeps the airport well connected, and for an English-speaking resident it translates into frequent, competitively priced direct routes to the UK, Ireland and northern Europe. It is worth remembering every time you book a trip home or plan for family and friends flying in over the summer, when demand and fares climb fastest.

What's changing for you

• Dénia adult school opens enrolment on 3 September. The Ramón Ortega adult education centre (FPA) in Dénia opens enrolment for its 2026-2027 courses on 3 September, according to La Marina Plaza. The programme covers formal qualifications, languages and computing, so if you have been meaning to improve your Spanish or Valencian, or finish a school-leaving certificate, put 3 September in your diary. Check the centre's requirements and paperwork in advance, as the popular language groups tend to fill up quickly once registration opens.
• Travelling to Alicante on a tight budget. AlicanteOut has pulled together tips for reaching and enjoying Alicante without overspending. The reliable takeaways are worth repeating: book flights and accommodation well ahead, travel outside the July and August peak when prices ease, and lean on the tram and local buses rather than car hire to keep day-to-day costs down. None of it is glamorous, but it is what lets you stretch a modest budget across a longer or more comfortable stay.

Local news to know

• 'Farmear aura' draws 200 teenagers in Alicante. Informacion reports that more than 200 teenagers gathered on Tuesday at the Castillo de San Fernando in Alicante to take part in 'farmear aura', the latest viral challenge spreading among adolescents.
• Santa Pola dawn race hits a record 2,250 runners. The Carrera al Amanecer in Santa Pola smashed its own record with 2,250 athletes for its 30th edition, according to elperiodic, cementing the seafront sunrise run as one of the province's signature races.
• AEMET flags near-43-degree heat on Wednesday and Thursday. AEMET has warned of 'very adverse' conditions with temperatures near 43 degrees across Alicante province on Wednesday and Thursday, though the state weather agency says the extreme heat should ease afterwards, as reported by the Olive Press.
• Staying safe through the heat in Benidorm. With the heat at its peak, Life in Benidorm has shared practical tips for planning the day safely, chiefly staying out of the midday sun, drinking plenty of water and keeping an eye on the most vulnerable.

Tonight and tomorrow, the Costa Blanca

• Stand-up paddle takes over Arenales del Sol this weekend. The second Elche Paddle Festival turns the beach at Arenales del Sol into a stand-up paddle hub this weekend, according to elperiodic. It all happens on the sand at Arenales del Sol, an easy trip south of Alicante by car or local train; whether you paddle yourself or just want to watch, this weekend is the moment, and it pays to bring sun protection and expect a busy beach.

See the full agenda, tonight and tomorrow