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Huge fireworks in Benidorm |
It is always a party in
Benidorm, but throughout the year, there are some traditional Fiestas
and big events that are really worth changing your holiday dates for.
I will give a brief summary of some of the bigger 'Fiestas'. I will
start with the traditional Fiestas and end with some new events in
Benidorm.
The Fallas are a
HUGE fiesta in Valencia. Tons of firework and beautiful 'Papier
Mache' structures go up in flames. Few know that also Benidorm has
its Fallas. Certainly not as spectacular as the event in Valencia,
but nontheless worth visiting when in Benidorm around mid-march. On
different points in the city, beautifully crafted structures of wood
and Styrofoam are set on fire. This is a must see, although I rather
go to the craze of Valencia, if I had the choice.
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Fireworks in the streets |
The next fiesta is on
Easter, the Semana Santa. This is a more religious (and culture)
Fiesta for the locals. There are special masses in the church and
processions throughout the old town.
Around mid June, you have
the Fogueres de Sant Joan (Bonfires of Saint John). Huge fires
are lit on the beaches of Benidorm and 1000s of locals go to the
beach with flares. Around midnight, they would go into the sea. I
never saw it, so I cannot tell you if this is true. I can tell you
there are very beautiful fireworks to be seen for 4 days. So if you
are planning to Benidorm in June, make sure to not miss the festival.
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The Christian knights are coming! |
The beginning of October
in Benidorm, they commemorate the battle between the Moors and the
Christians. I was in Benidorm one time during this festival.
There are parades, fireworks, battling knights on the beach and much
more. On the end of Calle Gambo, they set up a wooden castle which
should be conquered by the Cristian knights. This is a deafening
theater as the knights shoot blanks with old weapons. We had to run
away from there, it was really loud! Beware with small children. All
in all a nice festival. Not every parade is worth waiting for, but
the fireworks are great and the old town is nicely decorated.
The real Fiesta of
Benidorm is in November. It starts the weekend of the second sunday
in November and is called The fiestas Majors Patronals Benidorm.
This is THE fiesta to go to. It is a outside of the holiday season
and that is the biggest downside of going to this Fiesta. Chances are
that the weather is not good enough to swim in the sea and
occasionally it could rain or be clouded. We went to the Fiestas in
2012 and had rain for 7 days on end... But we tried again in 2015 and
had bright blue skies for 14 days, with average temperatures of 24
degrees in during the day. At the evening, a light sweater was enough
to go out for a stroll. I went swimming almost every day, but I must
admit the water is pretty cold, it is not for the faint of
hearted.... But the Fiesta makes it all worth while: Every day there
are mascletta's (this is a sort of explosive fireworks that the hang
in the streets), parades and processions and fireworks. The locals
gather in Penya's, these are nothing more then garages and bars where
they party all day long. Young kids trow really dangerous fireworks
in the streets until late. If you are a bad sleeper: you will not get
a lot of sleep around the old town. There is also a free show in the
bullring. No worries: locals just run away from the bulls and do not
hurt or kill them. Almost every day of the 5 day Fiesta, there are
concerts and festivities around town... On the last day of the
Fiesta, there is a HUGE parade and right afterwards a really
brilliant fireworks: This is certainly not to be missed!
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Dodging the raging bull, not for
the faint hearted |
The day after the Fiestas,
thursday, is the famous Fancy dress party in the square (Av de
Mallorca). Starting around noon already, everyone is dressed up in
the most hilarious characters. Bars and disco's are packed on the
biggest party day of the year...
The Fiestas Patronales
combine culture, fireworks and party and for anyone who plans to go
to Benidorm in the fall, should really consider coming on the dates
of the Fiestas. But remember: you will be tired by the end of the
week of partying and the constant banging of fireworks...
Benidorm might have a
lot of traditional Fiestas, it also has some annual events which
grown to really huge parties.
There is the Irish link of
course with St Patricks Day. Guinness will be flowing and the
Square will turn green on this day. Pubs will be decorated and there
will be extra entertainment.
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Child having fun on a float |
Around Juli, there is the
Benidorm Song Contest. This used to be a very big show until
2006, but now it is a just a smaller song contest in the Parque
d'Aigues. In the same park, there is always a summer program of
concerts, so definitely check the tourist info when you go to
Benidorm in august.
Another great Festival is
the Low Cost Festival on the
end of Juli. For a very small price (in 2016 it costs 63 EUR for
three day entrance!) you can visit a big festival with a
international line up!
And
finally, in the begin of September there is the Benidorm
Pride. This is similar to gay
pride festivals all over the world. Benidorm has a big gay community,
so a party is guaranteed!
These
are just a some of the events happening during the year. Always check
on the web if there is something to do during your holiday in
Benidorm.
Practical information
Hotel
receptions and tourist information desks provide you the details
where to be...
Waiting
can be frustrating: Spanish people have a different idea of being on
time. Sometimes it is on the clock, but I also waited for 2 hours to
see a parade!
Spanish
tend to 'use elbows' in busy places. Be assertive, but also take
things with a smile.
Of
course be watchful in crowded places. I have heard of people who got
their wallet stolen.
Fireworks
in Spain are a lot fiercer then in the UK, children might get scared
and it will hurt their ears.
Ask
locals about the festivities, they always have hints or local
information which most tourists don't know.
- In the villages and cities around Benidorm, there are also big festivities. Sometimes it is definetly worth visiting these Fiestas.