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On Friday 9 October, the Comunitat Valenciana celebrates its regional public holiday. This is followed by Spain’s national public holiday on Monday 12 October.
In between are a Saturday and a Sunday – four days packed with events, but also with altered opening hours.
Anyone planning to go shopping, run errands or go on an outing at the weekend should plan a little more carefully. Friday and Monday are public holidays. Many shops will be closed or will have special opening hours.
At the same time, the local councils from Dénia to Torrevieja have organised a range of events: street parties, music, traditional parades, markets and free cultural activities.
9 October, Valencian Community Day, is a regional public holiday. 12 October, Spanish National Day, is a public holiday throughout the country.
However, the same rules do not apply to all shops. In addition to the general regulations, there are exceptions for certain types of business and recognised tourist shopping areas (Areas with High Tourist Footfall).
Mercadona: According to the information currently available, the branches in the Comunitat Valenciana will remain closed on Friday and Monday.
Consum: Closures are planned for 9 October. On 12 October, branches may operate with reduced opening hours, often from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm. You should check the specific branch before visiting.
Aldi and Lidl: Closures have been announced for 9 October. On 12 October, there may be variations between individual shops.
Carrefour: Closures are also reported for 9 October; shops may be open on 12 October. Please refer to the information provided by the individual branches.
Día and smaller supermarkets: Opening hours can vary considerably here.
Shopping centres may also open on 12 October. However, this does not automatically apply to every shop within a centre.
In Alicante, 12 October is expressly permitted as a possible trading day, whilst 9 October is one of the excluded public holidays. Other local authorities may have different regulations.
Town halls and the usual public administration offices are generally closed on both public holidays.
Bank branches do not normally offer their usual counter services on these days either. ATMs and online banking remain available, provided there are no technical issues.
Emergency medical care will continue uninterrupted over the public holidays. However, the relevant public holiday arrangements apply to regular doctor’s appointments and administrative services within the healthcare system.
Pharmacies may be closed; supplies are ensured via the emergency pharmacy service. Which pharmacy is on duty depends on the local authority and the date in question.
Dénia has put together an extensive programme for the long weekend.
Live music will be taking place at the Glorieta from 7 pm on Thursday 8 October, featuring Sangatxo, Cactus and Reina Mora. This will be followed at 12.30 am by a Correfoc, a traditional fire run through the city centre.
Friday, 9 October:
On Saturday 10 October, a puppet theatre workshop will take place at 12 noon at the Biblioteca Juan Chabás. On Sunday, there will be Pilota games on Calle Pare Pere from 9.30 am to 11 am, and from 11 am to 7 pm the first meeting of the Giants and Fire Beasts.
In addition, the city organises free guided tours:
Saturday, 10 October
Sunday, 11 October
Monday, 12 October
Admission to the castle is free for participants on the guided tours. Information and booking: 966 420 260, daily from 10 am to 2 pm.
Further information: https://www.denia.es/es/denia/actualitat/noticia.aspx?id=7793 and https://denia.es/es/denia/actualitat/noticia.aspx?id=7806
In Benidorm, the Comissió de Festes Majors Patronals is organising an event on the 9th. October: the traditional Fair of Local Specialities in Elche Park.
The stalls sell arts and crafts, regional food, baked goods, books and other products. Food and drink are also available.
The market opens following the official ceremony to mark the regional public holiday. The opening includes the traditional Ball del Peuet.
The event also serves to raise funds for the patron saint’s festivals, which take place in November.
Organiser information: https://benidorm.org/es/comunicacion/noticias/la-comissio-de-festes-celebra-el-9-doctubre-con-su-tradicional-fira-de-productes-tipics
The Premi Jaume Pastor i Fluixà and the Medalles de la Vila awards ceremony will take place in Calp on Friday 9 October at 8 pm in the Plaza Mayor.
On Saturday 10 October, Francisco and Tamara will be performing their show „Únicos“ at 8 pm in the auditorium of the Casa de Cultura. The charity event is in aid of ADICALP; the suggested donation is 5 euros.
Organisers and programme: https://cultura.calp.es/es
Alicante is celebrating 9 October with a programme of regional music, literature and traditional dances.
On Thursday 8 October, an open dance workshop will take place at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento from 6.30 pm to 8 pm.
On Friday 9 October, the parade begins at 11 am with the traditional Dansà. The groups will make their way along the Explanada from the Plaza del Mar area to La Concha.
At 12 noon, the Banda Sinfónica Municipal will give a free gala concert in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
In Torrevieja, the regional holiday will be celebrated on Friday 9 October at 11.00 am in the Plaza de la Constitución.
The programme includes the raising of the Valencian flag, a performance by the Unión Musical Torrevejense, and tributes to Civil Defence volunteers.
On Monday 12 October, a mass will be held at 12 noon at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. This will be followed by a public military ceremony on the Paseo Vista Alegre.
Eleven food trucks and twelve market stalls will be set up in the Parque de las Naciones for five days. Entry is free; food and drink are paid for separately.
The music programme:
Children’s activities start every day at 12 noon.
Programme: https://turismo.torrevieja.es/es/evento/street-market-foodtruck-torrevieja-2026
Anyone who needs to do a big shop should not rely on the usual Friday and Monday opening hours. Particularly in the case of supermarkets, shopping centres and specialist shops, opening hours may vary from one local authority to another and even between branches of the same chain.
It is also advisable to check before visiting public facilities: town halls, administrative offices, museums and transport services may have different arrangements for public holidays.
For day trips and events, it’s worth taking a final look at the official programmes. Outdoor events may be postponed or cancelled at short notice in the event of bad weather.
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