Calpe's "Casa de Andalucía" has organized this regional fair in classic Andalusian style since 1966. For a full week in mid-July, riding and dressage, sound and light shows, musical performances and dance groups brighten up the summer evenings with the most popular traditions and customs from the South of Spain.
Calpe's Plaza Mayor is where, on opening day, the fair lights are switched on by the Adult and Infant Queens of the town's "House of Andalusia". This act is followed by a visit by the Authorities to the stalls that have been set up for the occasion in the fair ground.Then all present can enjoy tastings of Andalusian products and a carousel of artistic performance, all touched by the special "duende" magic of Andalusia. Dancers, singers and guitar players perform in perfect harmony, much to the delight of who love Andalusia and its traditions.
For all those who enjoy typical Andalusian fare, the Official Stall of the House of Andalusia in Calpe puts on a traditional meal in which recipes such as the ever-popular gazpacho take pride of place on the table. This is a good place to try "rebujito", a typical drink that combines traditional Manzanilla sherry with lemonade. The "rebujito" is sponsored by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the "Rocío de la Cava".
Many other enjoyable activities await those who visit the fair ground.Demonstrations of and classes in Latin dances such as salsa, bachata or cha cha cha, among others, not to mention Oriental dances, are to the fore in this fair which attracts dance lovers from all over Calpe and its region. Not to be missed are the Fellowship meals ("comidas de Hermandad") in which Andalusians who live in the region and people who are enamoured by that land can meet and exchange stories and impressions. The official closing ceremony brings this event to an end, an event that no lover of Andalusia should even dream of missing.
Of all the festive displays of Moors and Christians in the Community of Valencia, it may well be that the one that takes place in Dénia every year between the 13th and 16th of August is the most ancient, as it is referred to in documents that date as far back as the 16th century, to 1599 to be exact.
Altea's Castell de la l´Olla has been a tradition for over twenty years; a festival of light and gunpowder, which is unique in being the only festival in the world with a firework display at sea, with the pyrotechnics launched from 8 platforms each weighing 15 tonnes.
One of the summer's most eagerly anticipated festivals is held in Benidorm in the last week of July. It brings together some of the most renowned, modern groups on the national and international stage: Placebo, Massive Attack, Love of Lesbian, Two Door Cinema Club and Fangoria are some of the acts to have graced the festival's stages.