Callosa Loquat Festival

Have you ever bitten into a perfectly ripe loquat — that sweet, slightly tart, impossibly juicy golden fruit — and wondered where it comes from? Chances are, it came from Callosa d’en Sarrià. This small inland town in the Marina Baixa comarca of Alicante province is the loquat capital of Europe, producing the finest examples of this delicate fruit thanks to a unique combination of mountain springs, mild winters and abundant sunshine. Every May, the town throws open its arms to celebrate its most beloved fruit with the Callosa Loquat Festival.

A Fruit Worth Celebrating

The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) may have originated in China and Japan, but it found its true spiritual home on the sun-warmed hillsides around Callosa d’en Sarrià. The town’s loquats carry a Protected Designation of Origin — the same rigorous quality guarantee you find on Champagne or Parmigiano-Reggiano — and are exported to over 30 countries worldwide.

But what really makes Callosa’s loquats special is the people who grow them. Family farms, many of them tended by the same families for generations, care for their trees with an almost personal devotion. The Callosa Loquat Festival is their chance to share the fruits of that labour — literally — with the world.

What Makes This Festival Special

This is not a generic food festival that happens to feature a particular ingredient. The Callosa Loquat Festival is a full-scale celebration of an agricultural identity, a living testament to the relationship between a community and its land. You will meet the farmers who grew what you are eating, learn about loquat cultivation from the people who know it best, and taste products that go far beyond fresh fruit.

The warmth and generosity of the callosins — as the locals are known — transforms the entire town into a welcoming, fragrant, colourful celebration.

Programme and Activities

Loquat Market and Local Produce

The market is the beating heart of the festival. Farmers from across the comarca present their freshest loquats — in multiple varieties, from the classic Algerie to lesser-known local cultivars — alongside an extraordinary range of loquat-based products: jams, liqueurs, vinegars, syrups, natural cosmetics and traditional sweets. This is your chance to stock up on products that you simply cannot find anywhere else.

Best Harvest Competition

One of the festival highlights is the competition for the finest loquats of the season. Farmers submit their best specimens to a panel of experts who judge them on flavour, size, colour and overall quality. The results are announced with great ceremony and considerable local pride.

Farm Visits and Orchard Tours

Guided visits to the loquat orchards surrounding Callosa are one of the most popular activities at the festival. Walking through rows of trees heavy with golden fruit, listening to a farmer explain the cycle of the harvest and the challenges of the season — it is an experience that connects you to the food you eat in a profound way.

Cooking Workshops

Local chefs and producers lead hands-on workshops where loquat is the star ingredient. Learn to make loquat jam, discover how the liqueur is distilled, or find out how to incorporate this versatile fruit into savoury dishes. The workshops are suitable for all skill levels.

Music and Entertainment

Live music, traditional Valencian folk performances and family-friendly entertainment fill the festival grounds throughout the weekend. The atmosphere is warm, festive and genuinely local.

Food and Drink

The gastronomy at the Callosa Loquat Festival is a revelation. Festival food stalls and local restaurants collaborate to offer menus built around the loquat: creamy rice dishes with loquat and almonds, meat marinated in loquat liqueur, loquat tarts and loquat sorbet. The dedicated cocktail bar serving loquat-based drinks is always one of the most popular spots at the festival.

Getting There

Callosa d’en Sarrià is located 15 km from Benidorm and 20 km from Altea. By car, take the CV-755 from the coast. Special bus services typically operate from Benidorm, Altea and other nearby towns during the festival weekend. Parking in the town centre is limited, so using the designated peripheral car parks and walking in is recommended.

Where to Stay

Rural guesthouses in and around Callosa offer a wonderfully atmospheric place to stay — imagine waking up surrounded by loquat orchards. Altea and Benidorm, both within easy driving distance, offer accommodation for every budget and taste.

Practical Information

The festival takes place on 9–10 May 2026, generally from 10:00 to 21:00. Entry is free. The site is accessible for visitors with reduced mobility. Sunscreen and comfortable clothing are recommended as the festival takes place outdoors in late spring.

Tips for Visitors

Try the fresh loquats first — nothing beats a fruit eaten at the height of the season, just metres from where it was grown. Then explore the processed products, which reveal the extraordinary versatility of this humble fruit. Ask the farmers about the different varieties: the flavour differences between cultivars are genuinely surprising.

Come to Callosa d’en Sarrià in May and discover why this golden fruit has been winning hearts — and awards — for generations.