Streets Altea, in its fifth edition, remains a vibrant canvas for artistic proposals that invite the public to experience contemporary creation in a lively, open setting. Art Night traces its origins to 2017 when the Ministry of Culture committed to making innovative art more accessible. The event unfolds over three days — Thursday through Saturday — blending street performances with dance, video art, and installations, all within the public space. Visitors can also enjoy guided workshops conducted by more than twenty artists, live concerts, and activities designed for children, creating a festive atmosphere that invites curiosity and participation.
The opening Thursday featured a concert by Álex Guirado alongside remarks from the GNA President Annetta Nicoli. The evening also showcased a new ensemble from the Boga group, the Casa Bancal exhibition space, and a visit to the home studio of the artist Emily Ramon. These moments set a tone of collaboration and intimate encounter between creators and audiences, highlighting how contemporary practices unfold in informal, accessible contexts. The progression of the night demonstrated how music, visual arts, and personal creative spaces can intersect in public celebrations, offering audiences a taste of studio life and performance in motion.
On Friday, a guided tour provided a curated pathway through select installations and performances. The Artist Nursery, a former nursery repurposed into a shared workshop, became a focal point as Mar Ruiz, Ana Pomares, Carmen Martín, Lola Gutiérrez, Victoria Salillas, and Víctor Tous opened their studios for visitors. The day culminated in an exhibition and performance by Laura Serradilla, paired with a presentation by the Valencian company Dance Show Lame Dance, set in Plaza del Agua. The combination of childcare-friendly spaces, collaborative workshops, and live performance underscored the event’s goal: to connect audiences with working artists in a relaxed, inclusive environment and to demonstrate how playful, thoughtful spaces can foster creativity for all ages. [Citation: Nit de l’Art program materials]
Saturday continues with the Graphic Music workshop for children at Casa de Cultura in Altea, a participatory performance, and open studio hours where visitors can observe artistic processes up close. The plastic edging and other details in artist Cristina Cabo’s studios invite viewers to notice the texture and material choices that shape contemporary works. Guided tours at 19:00 offer insights into the practices of Hans Peter and potter Simone Pastafari, along with visits to studios affiliated with Paule & Jean-Paul Aubanelle, Lirios Matarredona, Enrique Lecuona, La Imprenta, Maxi & Envis, La Tana, Rico & Nuño, and more. This mix of demonstrations, dialogues, and hands-on participation aims to demystify creation and invite audiences to witness the daily rhythms of making art. [Citation: Nit de l’Art schedule]
Evening hours begin at 8:30 with a curated selection of performances and stage setups drawn from the streets of the old town by the Nit de l’Art jury. Works such as Silence, Let It Be Known, Visitors, and Didmos promise an immersive, sensory experience that blends sound, movement, and visual storytelling. As the festival nears its close, the atmosphere shifts to a celebratory yet reflective note with Abraxas AV Live, a music and video show staged in Altea’s church square, presented under the auspices of cultural leadership from the UMH Vice President for Culture. The culmination reinforces how city-centric art events can fuse public space, community input, and artistic risk into a shared cultural milestone. [Citation: Event program notes]