Benidorm Fancy Dress Day 2026 is on Thursday 12 November, the day after the town’s November Fiestas end. It’s a free street party on The Strip in Levante, centred on Calle Gerona, Calle Mallorca, Calle Lepanto and Calle Derramador, and it officially starts at 2pm, carrying on into the early hours. Now recognised as one of Europe’s largest costume parties, more than 30,000 people take part, almost all of them in costume.
Do you Fancy it? © Visit Benidorm
At a Glance
| Date | Thursday 12 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time | Officially from 2pm; roads close from 11am |
| Where | The Strip, Levante: Calle Gerona, Calle Lepanto, Calle Derramador, Calle Mallorca |
| Cost | Free. No tickets, no registration |
| Best for | Groups, hen and stag parties, and anyone who likes a crowd |
| Not ideal for | Small children, or anyone who hates noise and crowds |
How it Started
Fancy Dress Day isn’t part of Benidorm’s official Fiestas, which honour the town’s patron saints.
It began in the early 1990s, when British visitors who had stayed on after the Fiestas were encouraged into costume by local businessman Manolo Nieto, whose bars offered a welcome to anyone who turned up dressed for the occasion.
Word spread, more bars joined in, and a one-off promotion became a fixture. 2026 is the party’s 32nd year.
It’s still run by the bars and hotels rather than the town hall. That’s why you won’t find it in the official Fiestas programme, even though the date never moves: always the Thursday after the Fiestas finish.
Where to Go
The party fills The Strip and the surrounding streets of Levante’s Rincón de Loix area, with more than 15 themed floats, drummers and dance groups moving slowly through the crowd. Each spot has a different feel:
- Calle Gerona is the heart of it, and the busiest. If you want to be in the thick of things, start here.
- Calle Derramador, by the Flash Hotel and The Explorers Club, is part of the parade route and a good spot to see the floats go by.
- The show bars further up Calle Gerona, including Morgan Tavern and the Western Saloon, have terraces right by the route, as does Sinatras around the corner on Calle Lepanto. Arrive early if you want a table – but the street is where the party is!
- Calle Mallorca is a little calmer, and a good place to regroup.
Don’t forget – roads around The Strip, including Calle Gerona and Calle Lepanto, close to traffic from 11am, so walk in rather than taking a taxi to the door.
The Parade in full swing © Visit Benidrom
What to Wear
Anything goes, and the effort people put in is half the fun. Group themes are the tradition: a dozen Smurfs, a full Shrek cast or a hen party of Barbies will get more photos than any single costume. Recent favourites include superheroes, Vikings, pirates, nuns, Minions, Mario and Luigi, 80s neon and an inflatable Miss Piggy!
Two practical points matter more than the outfit:
- Wear comfortable, flat shoes. You’ll be on your feet from midday until late.
- Bring a layer. Afternoons are usually warm, but November evenings cool down quickly.
There’s no official costume competition, though plenty of bars pick their own winners.
We love the effort people make © Visit Benidorm
Tips for the Day
- Book your hotel early. Fancy Dress week is one of Benidorm’s busiest of the year, and Levante fills first. Flight prices rise as the date gets closer.
- Agree a meeting point before the crowds build. With 30,000 people in costume, it’s easy to lose your group.
- Carry as little as you can. Keep your phone and cards in a front pocket; crowds attract pickpockets.
- Expect it to be loud. Drummers, floats and music from every bar fill the streets all afternoon, so it’s not the place for anyone who prefers to chill.
- Pace yourself. It’s a long day: eat properly before you start and drink water between rounds.
- Make a week of it. The Fiestas run from Friday 6 to Wednesday 11 November, ending with fireworks over Poniente Beach on the Wednesday night. Many regulars come for the whole week. And the party doesn’t stop on Thursday: celebrations carry on through Friday and Saturday, with more than 50 bars and venues taking part.
The Spanish Bull © Visit Benidorm
Where to Stay
For Fancy Dress Day, stay in Levante’s Rincón de Loix and you can walk back to your hotel to change, rest or regroup. Our Top 10 Benidorm Hotels includes several within a few minutes’ walk of The Strip.
Make a Night Of It
When the floats have passed, the party carries on in the show bars. See who’s on that night in our Benidorm Show Calendar.
Benidorm Fancy Dress Day: your questions answered
When is Benidorm Fancy Dress Day 2026?
Thursday 12 November 2026. It’s always the Thursday after Benidorm’s November Fiestas, which run from Friday 6 to Wednesday 11 November in 2026.
Where does the Benidorm fancy dress party take place?
On The Strip in Levante’s Rincón de Loix area, mainly along Calle Gerona, Calle Lepanto and Calle Derramador, with the show bars on Calle Gerona at its heart.
What time does Benidorm Fancy Dress Day start?
The party officially starts at 2pm, though roads close from 11am and crowds start gathering in the late morning. It carries on in the bars past midnight, and celebrations continue on the Friday and Saturday.
Does it cost anything?
No. It’s a free public street party with no tickets or registration.
Is Benidorm Fancy Dress Day suitable for children?
It’s an adult party, built around bars, drinking and loud music, with firecrackers going off. Most families give it a miss.
Is it part of the official Benidorm Fiestas?
No. The Fiestas honour Benidorm’s patron saints and are organised by the town. Fancy Dress Day grew up in the 1990s around the British bars and is run by local businesses.
Are you up for it next time around?
If the answer is yes, the final question has to be … what are you going to wear?
