Following yesterday's presentation of the official festival program and schedule, Calp kicks off its patron saint festivities in honor of Our Lady of the Snows tomorrow, Friday. The celebrations are organized by the 2026 Festival Committee and the Calp Town Hall.
Tomorrow's festivities will begin with an aerial bombardment announcing the start of the celebrations and the ringing of church bells. In the afternoon, festival-goers will gather in Plaza del Arco Iris (Rainbow Square) for the Entrada de la Murta (Entrance of the Myrtle) procession through the streets of the old town, ending at Plaza Miguel Roselló. There, the festival queens, Sofía Fonte and Maria Rubio, will deliver the "Crida a la Festa" (Call to the Festival) from the Town Hall balcony, followed by the lighting of the lights. In the evening, Plaza Mayor will host a musical session featuring DJ Varela and Fercho Energy: The Ful Show.
On Saturday, August 1st, the little ones can enjoy Aquajocs and a Foam Party at the Parc de la Creativitat. Later that evening, the Plaza Mayor will host a performance by the Orquesta La Máxima, followed by Luis Valero with Remember Camaleón.
On Sunday, August 2nd, "Children's Day" will be celebrated with various activities for the youngest attendees. There will be a children's wake-up call (despertà) and, as a new addition, the symbolic taking over of the Festivals Department and the exchange of medals by the 2018 festival organizers will take place in the Plaza del Mosquit. At 11:00 AM, in the same plaza, traditional games and a performance by the magician Taxan will be held. Later in the afternoon, the show "Animakids" will be performed in the Plaza Mayor, followed by a candy firework display. The Orquesta La Pato is scheduled to perform in the Plaza Mayor that evening.
On Monday, August 3rd, "Fadrí Day" will be celebrated, during which the young festival participants will take over the Town Hall and the "staff of office" will be passed on to the 2008 festival participants, who will govern the town's streets for the day. The afternoon will feature the children's musical "Aladdin" in the Plaza Mayor. Later that evening, Space Elephants will perform in the Plaza Mayor.
On Tuesday, August 4th, the eve of the main festival, the day will begin with La Despertà (the wake-up call) through the town's streets. At 11:00 AM, there will be Aquajocs (water games) and a foam party in the Parc de la Creativitat (Creativity Park). At 8:00 PM, a parade will take place to collect the queens and members of the 2026 Festival Committee, who will then gather in front of the Town Hall before proceeding to the Parish Church for the Flower Offering to Our Lady of the Snows. Later that evening, a spectacular nighttime firework display (mascletà) will be set off by Pirotécnia Caballer, followed by a performance by the Krypton Orchestra and DJ Sifo in the Plaza Mayor.
On Wednesday the 5th, the feast day of Our Lady of the Snows, Patron Saint of Calp, the festivities will begin with an aerial display. At 11:30 a.m., a parade organized by the Festival Committee will proceed to the parish church of Our Lady of the Snows, where a solemn mass will be celebrated. Afterward, another mascletà (firework display) will be set off by Pirotécnia Caballer in the Plaza Mayor.
At 6:30 p.m., another parade will take place, this time to the church, to begin the procession through the streets of the old town. Following the procession, the renowned Castell a la Mar (Castles to the Sea), organized by the Department of Festivals, will be a spectacular "aero-aquatic" fireworks display launched from the breakwater at Arenal-Bol beach. At 12:15 a.m., the Plaza Mayor will once again become the gathering place with a performance by the orchestra “La Mónaco Party.”
On Thursday, August 6, the Feast of Saint Salvador, festival participants and authorities will travel to the Hermitage of Saint Salvador, where the traditional Mass in honor of Saint Salvador is scheduled to take place. A reception will follow.
From August 6 to 13, the traditional “Bous al Carrer” (bulls in the street) will be held on Conde de Altea Street, with afternoon and evening sessions organized by the Associació Festera Bous al Carrer (Bous al Carrer Festival Association). And on Sunday, August 9, the grand parade with floats will take place, starting on Benissa Street and ending at Plaza Colón.
And the grand finale will be the Calpe Pop Festival concerts, taking place on August 13, 14, and 15, featuring leading national artists such as Kiko Veneno, Marta Santos, and La Cabra Mecánica, as well as God Save The Queen, internationally recognized as the world's best tribute band to Freddie Mercury's band. Also performing will be DJ Kike Rodríguez, Maria del Tango, DJ Javi Más, Desert Vipers, DJ Javi Pla, and the Casa de Andalucía dance company.
