The night of the 13th of August is the Nit de l’Albà, one of the most eagerly awaited celebrations by the people of Elche. This night, in which hundreds of fireworks light up the night with light, colour and sound, is also known as the night of the fire (Nit de Foc).
The pyrotechnic show of the Nit de l’Albà, which is held in honour of the patron saint of Elche, consists of more than 2,000 kilos of gunpowder and 90,000 rockets, as well as the traditional great Palm of the Virgin firework, which reaches a height of 300 metres.
The form of the Nit de l’Albà may have evolved throughout history, but it is not a usual fireworks display, but a whole city that is both the protagonist and the spectator of a great offering of light and sound to its patron saint.
During the evening, many locals have their own firework display around the town centre, and at 23.00h, a spectacular firework display begins with thousands of rockets and fireworks lighting up the sky in all directions, then a few minutes before midnight, the thunder and lightning suddenly stop, the lights go out, the Gloria Patri sounds, (the last song of the Mystery Play of Elx, declared by UNESCO a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity) and from the top of the bell tower of the Basilica of Santa Maria, the breathtaking Palm of the Virgin firework emerges as an offering to the patron saint and illuminates the whole city.