Fiestas in Benidorm:

December & January

December 20 - January 5

The Christmas & New Year celebrations start on December 20th and carry on right through until January 6th. If you think New York's Time Square or London's Trafalgar Square are the only places to be on New Year's Eve well think again. The atmosphere in Benidorm's "Plaza Triangular" is quite electric, making it a fantastic place to let the New Year in. Also, totally unmissable is the grand procession of The Three Kings which is held every year in the Old Town on January 5th.

January 17

San Antonio (St Anthony - the Patron Saint of Animals) at the "Hermita de Sanz" church, situated on the outskirts of Benidorm, on route to the neighbouring resort of Albir. Animals of all kinds are taken to this little church by their owners to be blessed by the parish priest. It's quite a spectacle!

February

February is the month of the Carnival. This is the celebration - "the wild time" should we say - prior to the 40 days of Lent that precede Easter. In Benidorm, and in all the neighbouring villages and towns you'll witness, and indeed be invited to join in, the many colourful processions, fancy dress competitions and the curiously entitled, 'Burial of the Sardine'. This is basically like our Shrove "Pancake" Tuesday, when each household is supposed to rid itself of all its excesses and bury, "metaphorically speaking", all that is bad in the present and look forward to a period of privation and reflection during Lent.

March

March 5

This is the day that the locals re-enact the discovery of an unknown ship on the Poniente Beach in the year 1740. Way back then everyone feared death from the plague that was sweeping Europe at the time. Owing to this fear it was decided that the ship should immediately be set alight and pushed out to sea. Days later a stunning wooden statue of the Virgin Mary was discovered amongst the cinders, totally undamaged by the flames. All of this is replicated in elaborate style and at great expense every year, making it quite a sight for sore eyes!

March 16 - 19

Originating in the city of Valencia, the now internationally recognised festival of the "Fallas" is celebrated on a grand scale in nearly all the towns and villages along the Costa Blanca. The word "Fallas" originates from way back when local carpenters would basically have a Spring Clean of their workshops, discarding all the light pieces of wood, and literally burning them outside in the street! This was to mark the arrival of Spring. Now of course the street "Burnings" are on a much grander scale. In Benidorm, for example, three massive, highly decorated satirical sculptures are built. And then on March 19th they are ceremoniously burnt in front of thousands of onlookers. The build up to this great event, however, comprises three whole days of processions, street entertainment and magnificent firework displays.

April

April heralds Holy week - Semana Santa. (But always check your diary before booking anything as Easter can of course fall some years as early as the month of March!) This highly religious festival is recognised and commemorated in every city, town and mountain village throughout Spain. Benidorm is no exception. And Benidorm never disappoints. You can always obtain an official itinerary of events from either the Townhall or one of the local Tourist Information Offices - and it really is worth your while getting hold of one. The whole fortnight is jam packed full of dignified, spiritual and beautiful religious services and processions organised for the locals and the tourists alike.

May

May 3

Day of the Holy Cross. Many districts within Benidorm will decorate holy crosses with an abundance of beautiful flowers and organize Holy processions through the streets.

June

At some time during the month of June - totally dependent on the Christian calendar - Corpus Cristi is celebrated in Benidorm. Events such as processions with horses and exciting outdoor fairgrounds are organised, mainly by the locals that have migrated from Andalucia in the South. This is a very colourful event and well worth taking a few keepsake pictures of.

June 24

For a few days prior to June 24th you will find on display in the Old Town, La Cala and the Central Market areas, a number of impressive figures/statues made from paper maché and wood. Specifically on June 24th these are subsequently burned and a huge celebration ensues.

July

July 6 - 7

This date is synonymous with San Fermin and the famous Bull Runs through the streets of Pamplona. Don't worry as there are no bulls let loose in the streets of Benidorm, nevertheless, the Folk of Navarra still recognise this fiesta on grand scale. You'll see many of them in their regional "whites" and bright red neckerchief. And many will invite you down on to one of the beaches to taste some of their local delicacies and sample some of their regional wines!

July 16

Fiestas of the Virgen Carmen. On this day you should make your way down to one of the Port areas in Benidorm, Altea or Villajoyosa. On this particular day beautiful floral processions are organised through the town streets, culminating at the Port when the local fishermen will embark on a number of small fishing vessels and go out to sea. From then on all the vibrant coloured flowers are thrown in to the water in remembrance of all who have lost their lives in the past and the present day to the Sea.

July 25

St James Day - In addition to the fact that St James is the town's patron saint, and the usual religious celebrations pertaining to such a day will abide, July 25th is also a national day of recognition for the Spanish Military. And if there are any naval frigates for example in the area on this day then many of the marines will come ashore to celebrate making the town a colourful array of men and women in uniform. Do not be alarmed, however, if you are on holiday in Benidorm on this day as the local Townhall is likely to salute all of the Military personnel by firing very loud and very frightening cannons.

August

Although there are no official fiestas in August, many cultural and artistic events are held throughout the month. And, on many nights you will find wonderful live concerts in the Aiguera Park auditorium (next to the Townhall) for which you can easily obtain last minute tickets.

September

During the last week of September the grand festival of the Moors and Christians is celebrated. This festival commemorates the time when, in 1492, the Christians banished the Moors from the Iberian Peninsular. This whole celebration lasts approximately three days culminating on the final evening with the ranks of trooping Moors and Christians parade through the town in a dazzling spectacle.

September 6 - 7

Regional fiestas Asturias. As Benidorm has such a large Asturian community on these days you will find all the Asturian restaurants in Benidorm decorated in traditional colours offering menus of mouth watering dishes like "pote" (a rich dish of beans and seasonal vegetables) accompanied with traditional apple ciders from the region!

October

October 9

This is a celebration in the city of Valencia. Just an hour's drive from Benidorm Valencia is a very impressive city on this particular day you'll find exhibitions and stalls throughout promoting and celebrating all the produce from the Valencian region.

November

Fiesta Week

Every year the Benidorm Fiestas (Las Fiestas Patronales) are celebrated in November to honour St James (San Jaime) and the Virgin of Suffering (La Virgen del Sufragio), the Patron Saints of the Town. They always begin on the Friday of the second weekend and continue right through until the following Wednesday. Six days in total offering something for everyone during the day and during the night. There's football and fishing competitions, live music and dancing, and many cultural events and religious processions. At the end of which there is a truly magnificent evening firework display down on one of the beaches. culminating in a firework display.