Nou d'Octubre 2026 in Alicante: Jaume I's 750th Anniversary and the 9–12 October Long Weekend

Why this year's Nou d'Octubre is different

Every 9 October the Valencian Community marks its national day, and in 2026 the date carries extra weight. This year is the 750th anniversary of the death of Jaume I, el Conqueridor, the king whose conquest of Valencia in 1238 the holiday commemorates. The Generalitat has built its whole campaign around him under the title "Un llegat infinit" (An infinite legacy).

Alicante joined the Kingdom of Valencia later, under Jaume I's grandson Jaume II, but this time the city is at the centre of the celebrations. The regional programme is spread across four cities, Alicante, València, Castelló and Elche, so you don't need to travel north to take part.

The calendar also works in your favour. Friday 9 October is the regional holiday and Monday 12 October is Spain's Fiesta Nacional, which together create a four-day weekend.

The programme in Alicante

Thursday 8 October, midnight: fireworks over the port

The highlight for most people will be the castillo of fireworks over the Port of Alicante. The official programme lists it at 00:00 on 9 October, meaning midnight as Thursday 8 October turns into the holiday itself. In practice, plan to head to the port late on Thursday night, not Friday.

Fireworks go off at the same moment in Elche and in Castelló, between the Auditorio and the Palacio de Congresos. Since the next day is a holiday, it's an easy late night for most people, though children may need a nap beforehand.

Weather

All of the events depend on the weather. Early October is usually mild in Alicante, but an autumn storm could change plans, especially for the fireworks.

Elsewhere in the regional programme

The wider Generalitat programme also includes tastings, audiovisual projections and further events in the days before the holiday. If you're heading to València early in the week, the Palau de la Generalitat holds open days until 7 October, 11:00–14:00 and 16:00–19:00, so there is still time to visit.

What to do over the puente (9–12 October)

With four free days, here are a few ways to spend them in and around the city.

Climb to Castillo de Santa Bárbara

The castle on Mount Benacantil is a natural way to spend a holiday dedicated to medieval kings. The main access is on Calle Jovellanos, opposite Postiguet beach, where lifts carry you up through the rock. Autumn and winter hours (October to March) are 10:00–20:00. The exhibition rooms are open 10:00–14:30 and 16:00–20:00.

The lifts run 10:00–19:30, with the last lift up at 19:00 and the last lift down at 19:20. If you'd rather avoid holiday queues, walk up in the cooler morning and take the lift down. Full details are on the official castle page.

Join a night-time visit: Misterios del Castillo de Santa Bárbara

The castle runs dramatised night visits, Misterios del Castillo de Santa Bárbara 2026, on selected evenings this autumn. Check the castle's website for session dates, times, meeting point and tickets. Book early, because holiday-night sessions are likely to fill up.

Plan around holiday hours

Friday and Monday are both public holidays, so expect some shops and services to run reduced or Sunday-style hours. Book restaurant tables for Thursday night and the weekend lunches ahead, as the city fills up with visitors and locals making the most of the break.

Before you go

Some details may still be pending, including any road closures around the fireworks. Times and arrangements can also change with the weather, so check before you go on the Generalitat's site at gva.es and the city council's site at alicante.es.