October on the Costa Blanca is a month of contrasts, where the long days of summer gently give way to the soft golden light of autumn. The crowds of high season have gone, but the warmth remains, with daytime temperatures often reaching the mid-20s and evenings just cool enough for a light jacket. The sea is still wonderfully swimmable, making it one of the best times of year to enjoy the beaches without the summer bustle.
In recent years, Halloween has become an eagerly anticipated celebration across the Costa Blanca, and Jávea, Moraira, and Calpe are no exception. While traditionally more of an Anglo-Saxon holiday, it has been warmly embraced here, with schools, shops, and local associations organising themed events. Children can be seen trick-or-treating in their neighbourhoods, while bars and restaurants join in with spooky decorations, costume parties, and special menus. Pumpkin carving, haunted houses, and community gatherings bring a playful, family-friendly energy to the end of the month, offering both locals and visitors another reason to celebrate.
Local markets in October are brimming with autumn produce. You’ll find sweet pomegranates, juicy persimmons, figs, and the first of the citrus fruits coming into season, while grapes from the harvest are at their peak. Chestnuts also begin to appear, signalling that the cooler months are just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to enjoy hearty traditional dishes such as arroz al horno or the first cocidos of the season, pairing fresh local ingredients with the comfort of warming flavours.
Fiestas continue across the Costa Blanca North in October, keeping the festive spirit alive. Denia celebrates the Feria de Todos los Santos at the end of the month, while towns like Calpe and Altea honour their Moors and Christians with colourful parades and firework displays. Javea will also be busy as the autumn cultural calendar unfolds, with concerts, exhibitions, and community events bringing people together as life shifts into its slower rhythm after the summer.
Overall, October has a calmer, more relaxed feel – ideal for those who prefer a quieter Costa Blanca but still want to soak up the sun. The property market often becomes more active at this time of year too, as buyers who visited over the summer return to take a more serious look at homes while the weather is still inviting.
On 9th October each year, the Valencian Community celebrates its regional holiday, commemorating the historic, symbolic entry of King Jaume I into the city of Valencia in 1238, which marked the region’s reconquest from Moorish rule. It’s also traditionally the feast day of Sant Donís, when men present women with the Mocadorà—marzipan sweets wrapped in a handkerchief. Throughout the day, towns across the Valencian region hold civic ceremonies, processions, music performances, flag displays, folklore events, and fireworks.
October 12th is also a celebration if the form of a national holiday across Spain! This is known officially as the Fiesta Nacional de España, often referred to as the Día de la Hispanidad. This date commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492, seen as a defining moment in global history and Spain’s cultural impact. The day is marked by official ceremonies (especially in Madrid), military parades, patriotic acts, flag-raisings, and civic celebrations all over Spain.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda has ordered the removal of 7,499 illegal tourist apartment listings across the Valencian Community after detecting that they did not meet the legal requirements for obtaining a registration number. Alicante province has been the most affected, with 4,734 applications revoked. Within the province, Dénia stands out, with 538 listings invalidated, placing it third in the region behind only Valencia (731) and Torrevieja (700). Alicante city (528) and Benidorm (476) also appear prominently on the list.
Since January, the registry has processed 336,497 applications nationwide, 78.75% of them for tourist rentals. So far, 53,876 have been revoked. Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez stressed that the initiative aims to “preserve the social function of housing and combat illegal tourist apartments, which drive families out of their neighbourhoods and undermine the quality of life in our cities.”
This Saturday, Xàbia celebrated another lively edition of its Carnival festivities, proving that not even bad weather can dampen the town’s spirit. Although the children’s parade was cancelled due to heavy rain, the day was still filled with colour, music, and creativity. The Fogueres Commission praised the spectacular level of costumes entered into the competition, with prizes awarded for the most original designs.
This year's 2025 celebration was limited to the children's musical show "Magic Tribute" in the Plaza de la Constitución, under the tent, where children and their families were able to enjoy an afternoon full of music and dancing.
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