Held in late June, the Bonfires of St. John has become one of the most important events in the Alicante area. Many major papier-maché and wooden sculptures are displayed around central Alicante and then burnt on a large fire. The festival also features fireworks from St. Barbara Castle (Castillo de Santa Bárbara), street parades and concerts.
The Alicante Santa Faz Pilgrimages festival takes place two Thursday's after Easter Sunday and has become the country's second-largest pilgrimage. Around 200,000 people take part in this major event and walk from the centre of Alicante to the Monastery of the Holy Face (Monasterio de Santa Faz). Other highlights include a craft market, a fair ground, picnic lunches and a procession to the Santa Faz Monastery.