Music, books and gastronomy
The city is in full spring mode as organizers launch a lively May program packed with free cultural experiences. The Spring City initiative partners with local venues to fill streets and venues across Alicante with music, literature, workshops, exhibitions, tastings, and guided routes. The aim is to draw residents and visitors into a month-long celebration that culminates in a two-day festival on the 26th and 27th of May. The goal is to help the city feel like a festival from head to heart while boosting tourism and showcasing everything Alicante has to offer.
Newly announced events were presented to the public yesterday, highlighting collaboration among local brands and cultural institutions. Joana Alonso Dal Monte, a local brand manager, joined the planning efforts through the Vibra Mahou platform, alongside Elena Lumbreras from the Municipal Tourism Board. Together they emphasized the shared mission of elevating Alicante’s cultural calendar and inviting audiences from all walks of life to participate.
Music, books and gastronomy
Music lovers can look forward to a diverse lineup. Highlights include a Biznaga concert in the Stereo venue on the 18th floor and Sr. Chinarro performing acoustically at a soda bar the day before a famous local wedding. Rolando Bruno will headline the finale of the Emerge Alicante competition, with performances at Stereo on the 19th and again on the 11th in the same hall.
Book lovers will also find space to celebrate literature. A new release today features 20 songs linked to Jorge Decarlini at Pynchon & Co. library, while Joan Vich, the creator of the Benicàssim International Festival, will discuss the emotional arc of the past 25 years in a program titled “I used to live here.” Pau Roca will present his first novel, A Day in the Life, at the Red Room on the 18th, and Hans Laguna will be featured with his work, including a piece about Julio Iglesias and the conquest of America.
Cinema programs spotlight the Mediterranean Foundation’s newest documentary about Joaquín Sabina, directed by Fernando León de Aranoa, which earned two Goya nominations and will screen on the 8th. The program continues with Red Kint on the 15th and Master Ennio on the 22nd, expanding to a broader slate of film showcases.
Exhibitions feature Jaume Mira and Carbonell in the main gallery, alongside Sigmon Vilarasau and Charles Borderline’s works in other spaces. The program also includes two tastings, shopping experiences, gastronomic routes featuring croquettes, cheese and tacos, as well as a photo walk to capture unique corners of the city.
The Mahou-led Spring City initiative aligns with the objective of increasing visibility for Alicante’s music and cultural offerings, with plans that highlight the city’s dynamic arts scene and the events that flow from it.
Elena Lumbreras reaffirmed the Municipal Tourism Board’s support for these projects, underscoring the city’s commitment to festival-style events that attract audiences to Alicante’s musical landscape and broader cultural calendar. The emphasis remains on sustainable, seasonal growth that benefits local communities and visitors alike.
The festival’s scale is expanding, with estimates pointing to a substantial economic impact and a larger daily footprint compared with previous years. The organizers anticipate strong attendance from both local residents and visitors from other provinces, led by major cities such as Madrid, Murcia, Valencia and Barcelona. Ticketing options include subscriptions and single-day passes, with several notable acts slated to perform during the festival period.