Sant Domènec Patron Saint Festival

Xaló throws nearly a fortnight at this, and the village runs on its own clock for the duration. The big set-piece is the paella contest out at Els Xops, where neighbours fire up vast pans and a jury wanders round deciding who got the rice right. There's local Bodegas Xaló wine going round, free beer in the evenings, and brass bands threading the festeros and festeras through the streets.

Nights belong to the verbenas, with orchestras keeping the plaza dancing late, plus a rock night for anyone wanting something louder. The bous al carrer (cattle let loose in barriered streets) draw crowds to the railings, and the final day brings a charlotada, a knockabout comic version of the bullfight. Daytimes are gentler: water games, a pool, llargues ball matches and a rooster race for the children. Most of it spills onto the street and costs nothing to watch.