What's on: the Costa Blanca in July 2026, town by town

July is the month the Costa Blanca runs at full tilt: the Moros y Cristianos stage landing after landing from Xàbia to Villajoyosa, the whole coast puts out to sea for the Virgen del Carmen on the 16th, Torrevieja sings its habaneras, and two open-air stages (El Muelle Live at Alicante port, SkyFest in Benidorm) share the big concerts. Here's how to fill your month, town by town: with this piece we launch a recurring feature, the month's what's-on.

What are the big dates of July 2026 on the Costa Blanca?

The month's calendar comes down to eight fixtures. Most are free and outdoors, and almost everything happens after 9pm, heat oblige.

Where to experience the Moros y Cristianos this month?

Three towns, three moods, one same script: the Moorish troops land, the Christians retake the castle, and everyone parades in costume to the sound of the bands.

In Xàbia, 11 to 19 July. The 48th edition plays out in the seafaring district of Duanes de la Mar, per the official programme published by Jávea.com. The two evenings to note: Thursday 16 July at 9.30pm, the Moorish landing on La Grava beach, harquebuses and traditional boats to the fore, followed by the embassy and the surrender of the castle; and Friday the 17th at 9pm, the battle then the Reconquest on the Paseo Jaime I. The gala parade closes it all on Saturday the 18th at 8pm, before the grand parade on Sunday the 19th at 7pm and a night-time mascletà fired from the beach.

In Orihuela, around 17 July. The town marks its Reconquista of 1296: every 17 July the Gloriosa Enseña del Oriol, the city's historic standard, parades through the streets to the monument of La Armengola, the local heroine of the legend, says the Orihuela tourist office. A week of Moros y Cristianos parades surrounds this most solemn day.

In Villajoyosa, 24 to 31 July. The Santa Marta festivities are classed a Festival of International Tourist Interest, Spain.info notes. The summit: the Desembarco on Tuesday 28 July, at dawn. Dozens of Moorish boats approach the Playa Centro in the half-light, the battle is fought on the sand at sunrise, in memory of the Barbary attack of 1538. The town keeps vigil all the night before (the Nit del Fester), and on the 29th, Santa Marta's day, procession then fireworks. If you see only one thing this month, this is it: arrive before 5am for a spot facing the sea.

What to catch as the Festa Major de Dénia wraps up?

The Festa Major de la Santíssima Sang has filled Dénia from 3 to 12 July, with some sixty shows and concerts, largely free (day-by-day programme at La Marina Plaza). The highlight is the Bous a la Mar: heifers chase the daredevils around an arena built on the harbour, until the final plunge into the water. The final session was on Friday 10 July at 7.30pm; tickets are sold only on site, at the ticket office beside the fish market (usually €5, €3 concession, windows opening an hour before), Dénia.com advises.

Another fixture just closing: the 14th Classical Theatre Festival of L'Alcúdia, on the archaeological site where the Lady of Elche was found. The University of Alicante, which runs it, programmed a family-friendly Hamlet on 9 July at 10pm, then the closing night on the 10th with "En mitad de tanto fuego", each preceded by guided tours of the site at 7.45pm.

What concerts at Alicante port with El Muelle Live?

The port of Alicante's open-air summer stage lines up a fine July, facing the yachts and the lit-up city.

And the season carries on after summer: Loquillo on 15 August, Sergio Dalma on 22 August, Pablo López on 13 September and M-Clan's 30th anniversary on 25 September, per El Muelle Live's official programme.

What's the SkyFest in Benidorm?

The Low Festival isn't back in 2026: the SkyFest has taken over Benidorm's musical summer ("El Low ha muerto, ¡viva el SkyFest!", ran AQUÍ Medios in March). New site, new format: around twenty open-air dates spanning pop, electro and comedy, at the Ciudad Deportiva Guillermo Amor grounds.

In July, two nights to circle: the Indiverso DJ Festival on Saturday the 18th, and above all Chayanne on Friday 24 July at 9.30pm, on his "Bailemos Otra Vez" tour, one of the most anticipated concerts of the coast's summer, Benidorm town hall announces. Tickets on sale online, and they go fast.

Why go to the Habaneras Contest in Torrevieja?

Because it's unique in the world: Torrevieja gets the whole planet singing its habaneras, those sailors' songs brought back from Cuba in the days of the salt trade. The 72nd International Habaneras and Polyphony Contest gathers 15 choirs from 13 countries from 19 to 25 July, more than 700 singers, according to Todo Torrevieja. Every evening starts at 10pm at the Eras de la Sal, the old salt-loading quay facing the port: opening gala on the 19th, local choirs' night on the 20th, the contest from the 21st to the 24th, and the grand final with the prize-giving on the 25th.

Where to see the Virgen del Carmen on 16 July?

On 16 July, the patron saint of fishermen and sailors goes out to sea, and every port on the coast has its procession. The finest within easy reach:

And in early August, what's next?

The pace doesn't drop: Villajoyosa's festivities stretch to the end of the month, Taburete plays SkyFest on 5 August, Loquillo El Muelle Live on the 15th, and the 23rd Xàbia Jazz international festival offers three nights of free concerts from 2 to 4 August at 10.30pm, per Xàbia town hall. We'll see you in a few weeks for the full August what's-on.

How to survive the July heat?

On the coast, summer is lived back to front: the beach early in the morning, a siesta or an air-conditioned museum (the MARQ and the MACA in Alicante) between midday and 6pm, and the street after 9pm, when everything really begins. Hydrate seriously on festival nights, the nights stay warm. And before you dive in, a seasonal reflex: our jellyfish guide for what to do about a sting. More of our day-trip ideas are in our day trips from the Costa Blanca.

Programmes can shift: find the official detail on the links below. And we'll see you next month for the August what's-on.

Sources

• Jávea.com: official programme of the Moros i Cristians of Xàbia 2026
• Orihuela Turística: Fiestas de la Reconquista and Moros y Cristianos
• Spain.info: Moros y Cristianos of La Vila Joiosa
• La Vila Joiosa town hall: the Desembarco
• Dénia.com: Bous a la Mar 2026, times and tickets
• Benidorm town hall: Chayanne at SkyFest on 24 July
• Todo Torrevieja: 72nd Habaneras and Polyphony Contest 2026

Information verified in July 2026 (last updated 9 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.