Els Enfarinats en Ibi

Introduction and local significance

Els Enfarinats in Ibi is one of the most unique and striking winter celebrations in the entire Valencian Community. This festival, officially scheduled for this edition from 28 December 2026 (closing date to be announced), stands out for its strong satirical nature and its deep-rooted tradition of reversing public powers. The significance of the event led to its declaration as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest in 2009. During this day, the streets of the Alicante municipality become the setting for a mock revolt where flour, eggs, and firecrackers are the undisputed protagonists.

Historical origins and tradition

The celebration has been documented in the town since at least the 18th century and is directly linked to the traditional role-reversal customs typical of the Day of the Holy Innocents. The well-known Basque anthropologist Julio Caro Baroja once linked this type of celebration to the ancient Roman Saturnalia, although the event also incorporates distinct carnival-like elements. After ceasing to be celebrated during the 1950s, the festival regained its momentum in 1980 with the reinstatement of the Dansà (a traditional Valencian dance) and, the following year, with the reappearance of els Enfarinats. This traditional group is composed exclusively of fourteen married men who assume specific roles such as mayor, judge, tax collector, secretary, and treasurer, wearing outlandish clothing and painted faces. For its part, the Oposición (the Opposition) is distinguished by wearing a black top hat adorned with paper stars, while the Tapats (the Covered ones) disguise themselves with sheets and antique costumes, hiding their faces with a decorated and painted pillowcase called a coixinera. The entire ritual takes place to the sound of music played with the xaramita (a type of shawm or oboe) and the tabal (a traditional drum), accompanied by the typical dances of Ibi. In this musical and dance sphere, the Grup de Danses d’Ibi, founded in 1945 exclusively with women's couples and established as a mixed group in 1956, stands out. Furthermore, the characteristic shepherdess costume of this tradition was awarded the Gold Medal in 1964 at an international competition of folk attire held in Italy. The visual impact of the day has crossed borders, as demonstrated by the work of the Italian photojournalist Antonio Gibotta, who captured the festival on 28 December 2016 and won second prize in the People category of the prestigious World Press Photo contest. The festive acts are completed with the collection of the 'revolutionary tax' from commercial establishments, destined for the San Joaquín de Ibi nursing home or the San Pasqual occupational centre, and with the celebration of the Ball del Virrei (Viceroy's Ball) at the Sports Centre Pavilion.

Programme and main events

Since the official programme for the current edition is already detailed in the header of this guide, it is worth focusing on the unique aspects that structure the development of the festive day. Activity starts early in the morning with the symbolic seizure of power at the Town Hall and the Plaza de la Iglesia, the moment when the alcalde enfarinat (the flour-covered mayor) is appointed. From that moment, the pitched battle of flour, eggs, and cohetes borrachos (drunken rockets) or carretillas (ground-spinning fireworks) breaks out in the Plaza de la Iglesia itself. Among the highlights of the day is the reading of the satirical proclamation written in Valencian, the subsequent collection of coercive fines from local shops, and the celebration of the Dansà, scheduled for 17:00 at the same church square.

Traditional festival food

The documentary records of the festival do not contain any exclusive culinary creations or specific dishes designed solely for this December day. However, the traditional cuisine of the area in the province of Alicante is based on hearty inland recipes, adapted to the low winter temperatures of the region. In the town's catering establishments, it is possible to taste traditional stews, sit-down meals, and local products that complete the traveller's experience during their stay in the town.

Visitor guide and where to stay

To reach the town by private vehicle, the recommended high-capacity route is the A-7 motorway connecting Alicante with Alcoy, taking the specific exit towards Ibi, which takes approximately forty minutes from the Alicante capital. Those who prefer public transport have regular bus lines originating in Alicante and Alcoy with a direct stop in Ibi, as the municipality lacks a rail connection. Due to the nature of the events, if you approach the Plaza de la Iglesia during the battle, you will end up covered in flour and probably with traces of egg, so it is essential to wear old clothes, use protective glasses, and keep your mobile phone inside a sealed bag. The firecrackers and carretillas detonate at ground level, so the presence of small children in the centre of the square is not advised, and it is recommended to stay on the perimeter of the adjacent streets; likewise, it is advisable to arrive before nine in the morning to witness the seizure of power and the reading of the proclamation. It is advisable to book accommodation well in advance to ensure your stay during the celebration dates, and it is preferable to choose public transport or park your vehicle outside the town centre during times of highest public attendance.