Events

We cannot get enough Northern Soul these days. Even Gen X are getting into the action, would you believe!

It’s even better when the music is playing in Benidorm – ‘sunny days and soulful nights’ just about sums up this musical jamboree. Hosted by Gran Hotel Bali, there are 4 rooms of Northern Soul with 25 DJs bringing out all the classics from the vaults. With Poolside Sessions, Rare Soul Allnighters and the Cotton Club at the Bali all working together to create a unique atmosphere in Spain’s premier party resort, this is one of those events you need to seriously think about getting into your diary…

Even if you’re not into rugby this is a great way to spend some time on holiday. The stadium and setting is superb and the atmosphere during the tournament is first class.

Rugby teams come from around the globe, all making their way to compete in the 38th edition of what is one of Europe’s top Sevens tournaments. We have attended a few, starting with the 20th edition. And it is always an enjoyable event, great for families as well as groups looking for a bit of sporting action under a warm sun with a few cold beers to make it that bit more enjoyable!

La Ruta was Valencia’s equivalent to Manchester’s Hacienda. A cutting-edge dance scene that emanated from a patchwork of clubs outside of Valencia. At the time, during the 1990s and 2000s, Spaniards flocked to clubs such as Chocolate, Barraca, Spook Factory and Puzzle. And DJ’s rolled in from all over Europe. Although Ibiza stole the global spotlight, there remains a certain reverence amongst the clubbing cognoscenti for all things La Ruta. And here in Benidorm, you get to #rememberyourlife and relive the high point of the Spanish clubbing scene from over twenty years ago. If you’re a youngster, get yourself a ticket, pay homage to a unique time in dance history – and find out the type of music your parents danced to when they were young!

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Edition #1 of the Undersea Festival will be taking place this summer in the Iberia zone of Benidorm’s Terra Mítica theme park.

Event organiser are hoping to attract 5,000 festival goers to this stunning setting where a mix of urban, hip hop, underground and techno music will play across 6 stages.

Lasting for 14 hours from 12 noon until 2AM, the venue will feature 12 bars, 4 VIP zones, 5 food trucks, 4 shows, 2 swimming pools and a restaurant.

And for all those still in the mood, shuttle buses run you down to Benidorm’s famous KU Club for the After Party … Party!

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The fusion of Jamaica Dancehall, Panama Reggae, New York Hip-Hop, Cuban Salsa and Puerto Rico’s Bomba gets you to the Urban Music phenomenon that is Reggaeton. Mix that altogether over a hot summer weekend in Benidorm and you’ve got yourself a party.

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The 37th edition of the Alfàs del Pí film festival lands in July with the great and the good of Spanish cinema descending on the small resort town next to Benidorm. Highly regarded in the Spanish cultural calendar and a prominent feature in the Valencian national and international tourism offer, why not join the stars on the red carpet.

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Tàrbena Food Festival is becoming a bit of a thing in this part of Marina Baixa. The village square looks a picture and a variety of stalls, music and events combine to provide a genuine glimpse into Spanish life. We love it, especially when Paco, from nearby restaurant Sa Canterella, sets up his Mojito stall!

The Moors and Christian festivals are a major event in most towns across our part of Spain.

Villajoyosa’s annual retelling of the Christian triumph is one of the best due to the use of the Mediterranean Sea in proceedings.

The visual spectacular is something to behold as the desembarco sees the flotilla of boats land ashore as the Moors mount their attack on the replica fortress on the beach. Battle ensues.

And after that, as with most things in this great country – it’s fiesta time!

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Headline act The Pet Shop Boys bounce into Benidorm along with a collection of their greatest hits.

Add in The Kooks and over 70 acts from Spain and around the world and it is no surprise Benidorm’s Low Festival is now regarded as a top-tier event on the festival calendar.

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La Festa del Fadrí, also referred to as Les Danses de Sant Jaume, embodies the passion Spaniards have for their culture and traditions. Celebrated annually since 1819, this is one of Marina Baixa’s oldest festivals. As well as a poetic dance to celebrate the union of each couple the festivities include the playing of ancient games such as Valencian pelota, a coin game Calitxó and Corrida del Gallo – a Rooster Race!

Be one of the 50,000 people who descend on Castell de l’Olla in Altea to watch in awe a pyrotechnic display like no other. Held for over 35 years and now classified as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest, this spectacular event should be squeezed into your diary if possible. Imagine: The setting of the fireworks display is a platform floating in the Mediterranean which is then set off, creating a multicoloured night canvas reflected across the sea. And it doesn’t end there! Music from a live orchestra is choreographed to the display adding to the sheer magnificence of it all.

The fact that 2025’s Benidorm Pride is the 16th instalment of this carnival of joy is not only a testament to the awesome gay community in Benidorm but also to the residents and holidaymakers who equally embrace what has become Benidorm’s favourite week of the year.

The Old Town is rainbow-coloured, the whole place is buzzing and the series of events that lead up to the Saturday Parade and Closing Party create memories to last.

So, stop looking and get booking peeps. The countdown’s begun…

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Although entering its 26th year, Vertical Booth Weekender is still laced with that Underground vibe so reminiscent of the early days.

A music festival on the shores of Villajoyosa, The Family is at the core of this eclectic festival where every tune counts and each and every person counts.

Forget Ibiza, and head to the capital of Marina Baixa to soak up the sights and the sounds as the sun goes down.

VB Weekender, like no other!

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It is only fitting that La Nucía, with its sizeable international community living in the municipality, stole Oktoberfest from Calpe a few years ago!

Poor Calpe. Lucky La Nucía.

And also a stroke of luck for Benidorm holidaymakers as extra buses are put on to get you up to the venue.

The traditional German celebration includes plenty of beer, naturally; sausage and pretzel tossing, plus the sounds of a brass band and the sight of men wearing their Lederhosen.

Designated by Spain as of National Tourist Interest, Callosa’s Moors and Christian Festival has been on the march since 1860. We think it’s one of the best you’ll find due to the compact nature of the town and the proximity of the marching marauders of Moors and Christians. The rhythmical sounds of the music, colourful costumes and the pure joy of all those who participate and spectate make the whole thing electric. If you’ve yet to witness one of this part of Spain’s longest traditions, Callosa is a good place to start.

Although many fiestas run throughout the whole year, this is the big one for Benidorm – The Benidorm November Fiestas.

Thousands of Benilovers plan a Benidorm holiday to coincide with the celebration of the town’s patron saints.

The church of San Jaime in the Old Town is decked out with flowers while the streets across the whole resort are alive with outdoor theatre, live music, colourful float parades, puppet shows and more.

The town will be full of Peñas (organisers’ private parties), which will go on long into the night.

During the 6-day event there is something for everyone from sports, competitions to cultural events and religious processions.

The special events culminate in a spectacular firework show on the final Wednesday evening.

And after all of this you have Thursday’s incredible Fancy Dress Party!

With a course weaving its way through the skyscrapers and along the Mediterranean coast, the race has been a must register for club runners across the world.

Over 35% of participants are from overseas who not only love the event but the total Benidorm experience that surrounds it.

Setting off in the late afternoon and finishing when Benidorm’s bright lights begin to illuminate the resort there really aren’t too many international races to compare in the ‘wow, this is awesome’ category.

Always popular, expecially in the year of the 40th, so best get your registration in asap and see you in November!

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World-class Cyclo-Cross arrives in Benidorm. Elite Men and Women and their Junior counterparts will be racing through Foietes Park. It’s thrilling stuff – top international sport on your doorstep (if you’re on holiday in Benidorm that is!). Well worth a walk up through the Old Town – get your Google Maps out; have a cheeky beer on the way, cheer on the Brits, then a few more beers on the way back!

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Believe what I say … Northern Soul, Motown, Reggae, Ska. Benidorm. Joker’s Bar. 12th Anniversary. Seven days too long? No worries, you only need four to hit the floor at the annual Benisoul party!

Benidorm Carnival is all about the coming of Spring. Commencing the Saturday before Ash Wednesday with a children’s parade at 10am and the adult procession at about 8.30pm; fancy dress takes centre stage with winners declared at the end. On the Tuesday, Carnival culminates with The Burial of the Sardine which historically signified the end of winter and the start of the fishing season. The poor sardine is transported through the streets of the Old Town to Poniente Beach where it will meet an inglorious end.

As odd as it may sound, Cheltenham Week has become a designated period for flying out to Benidorm for a mini-break. And why not? The hotels and bars have huge screens, the sun is invariably shining – it can even be hot – and the vibe is unbeatable.

An additional bonus is that St Patrick’s Day is always floating about somewhere close to Cheltenham – this year on the Tuesday after the festival – and Benidorm’s Las Fallas brings the Spanish to the party. So the real question is – why wouldn’t you come to Benidorm during Cheltenham Week?

Check out our Ode to Cheltenham to get you in the mood.

The Valencian region’s internationally recognised Las Fallas takes place in the city of Valencia each March. Check out our 48 Hours in Valencia blog if you fancy visiting Spain’s greatest city (in our opinion!). But back to Benidorm’s own no less impressive Fallas where you can join in the party and bear witness to the effigy burning without needing to leave the resort.

As part of the street parties and procession of the ninots, the effigies themselves, Las Fallas is famous for the screeching noise of the mascletás, a firecracker so loud it’s almost impossible to describe. The burning – cremà – always takes place on the 19th – Day of San José, and Father’s Day in Spain, too – and you can watch the flames in three areas of town: Rincón de Loix (Burger King), Centro (Bristol Hotel) and Els Tolls (c/Tomàs Ortuño).

Like almost everywhere else, Benidorm embraces the Irish patron saint day as if it were their own.

Tens of thousands of British holidaymakers come to Benidorm specifically to be here for St Patrick’s Day.

All dressed in green, the craic and the buzz are electric. The bars put on even more music and shows during the day – our Show Calendar will keep you informed – and the partying goes on until the early hours.

This year St Patrick’s Day lands in the week following Cheltenham Week, so you have a whole weekend to recover. Before we go again!

Easter Week – Semana Santa – is one of the major celebratory periods in the Spanish fiesta calendar. And Benidorm is no different. Several processions take place on different days during the week, commencing on Palm Sunday and culminating on Easter Sunday.

Our holiday resort is transformed as pageantry and religiosity take centre stage, beginning with the solemnity surrounding the crucifixion and ending with a more joyous and triumphant mood as we move towards the resurrection at the end of the week. To be in Benidorm during Holy Week is a beautiful thing and further testimony to why our destination is one of the best .

This will be the 16th edition of Spain’s biggest event dedicated to the King. What began as a personal love affair by a few Elvis aficionados has turned into an annual 3-day Elvis extravaganza.

The main setting for the event is the Meliá Hotel in the Rincón de Loix area of Levante but you will find Elvis-mania popping up in other Benidorm cabaret bars such as Rock & Roll House.

Of course, the stars of the event are the amazing Elvis performers guiding us through the many chapters of the Elvis story from early beginnings to the Las Vegas concerts. 

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