Alcalá de Henares Semana Cervantina named International Tourist Interest Festival

The Semana Cervantina in Alcalá de Henares has been officially declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest. This designation marks a significant elevation for the event, which was previously recognized as a National Festival of Tourist Interest in 2018.

Held annually in October to coincide with the anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes’ baptism, the festival celebrates the legacy of the author of ‘Don Quixote’. The festivities transform the UNESCO World Heritage city into a living representation of the Spanish Golden Age. Key attractions include the Mercado Cervantino, a themed market featuring crafts, theater, and gastronomy, as well as civic processions and public readings of Cervantes’ work.

This recognition makes the Semana Cervantina the second festival in the Community of Madrid to receive international status, alongside the Motín de Aranjuez.