Benidorm Fiestas, Fun & Culture

Benidorm Local Fiestas

January

• Procession of the Three Kings on January 5.
• San Antonio and la Ermita de Sanz 17 January.

February

• Carnival! Processions, fancy dress contests and the intriguing "Burial of the Sardine".

March

• On 5 March the miracle of the "Virgen del Sufragio" is re-enacted to celebrate the burning of a ship in 1740 (for fear of the plague) on Poniente beach. Amongst its remains a wooden statue of the "Virgen del Sufragio" was discovered, completely intact and undamaged. The celebrations are staged with fabulous costumes and offers spectators a fabulous show
• Fallas: Starts on 16th March. There are three Fallas celebrations in Benidorm with papier mache and wooden sculptures depicting satirical figures from current affairs in Spain and the rest of the world. Falla Centro, Falla Rincón, and Falla "Els Tolls", all take place in different districts of Benidorm. This celebration includes processions in traditional costumes, street celebrations and fireworks all culminating on the 19th when all the Fallas are ceremoniously burnt in the 'crema’.

April

• Holy Week. Processions and Religious Ceremonies.

May

• Fiesta de la Creu. 1st May, Foietes District.

June

• Hogueras de San Juan: There are three hogueras or bonfires in Benidorm: at La Cala, the Central Market and el Campo old town areas. Giant papier mache and wooden figures are displayed in the street and are finally burnt in the 'nit del foc' on 24th June.
• Romería del Corpus: traditional Andalusian pilgrimage with horse parades and a fairground.

July

• 6th and 7th July, San Fermín.
• First weekend in July, San Cristóbal (St. Christopher).
• 16th July, Fiestas del Carmen.
• 25th July is the day of the patron saint of Benidorm, San Jaime (St. James)

August

During this month a great many cultural and artistic events take place. 
With free concerts in the Aigüera Park Auditoriums.

September

• 7th and 8th September, the Asturias Fiesta organised by the Casa de Asturias.
• The Harvest Festival takes place all month long, organised by the Casa de Castile-La Mancha.
• The last weekend in September is the festival of the Moors and Christians! This dazzling celebration commemorates the time when two different cultures lived side by side in the Iberian Peninsula and from which period the entire Levante coast is a prime example. There are three long days and nights of fun and festivity as the ranks of Moors and Christians parade through the streets. Both sides proudly display the most amazing array of fine feathered, jewelled costumes and armour. The slow and insistent rhythm of the accompanying music sets the hypnotic scene. Every year the important positions of Christian King and Moor King are elected from amongst the participants.

October

• Day of the Region of Valencia: exhibitions and stalls to promote the Valencian fresh market produce.

November

• “Fiestas Mayores Patronales” (Benidorm's Main Patron Saint Fiestas). The fiestas in honour of the Virgen del Sufragio and San Jaime are the most important in Benidorm. There are 5 days of festivities from the second Sunday in November.
• The most notable events are: The re-enacting of the discovery of the Virgin, the offering of flowers, the humorous parade, the parade of carriages and the spectacular firework display that takes place on the Wednesday, the last day of the fiesta.

This fiesta has religious components which can be witnessed on the streets of the Old Quarter. The faithful carry flower arrangements to the entrance of the temple when the procession arrives at the church portico. Once assembled there is a firework display.

December

A similar programme to that organised during August in the Aigüera Park: A large number of events and free concerts take place under a still splendid sun.