BENIDORM NOVEMBER FIESTA AND FANCY DRESS DAY - GENERAL INFORMATION
Benidorm November Fiesta and Fancy-Dress Day - The famous November Fiesta dates for 2023 - 10th to 15th, Thursday 16th – Europe’s largest fancy dress party
Benidorm November Fiesta - Fiestas Patronales
Benidorm honours its two patron saints, the Virgen del Sufragio and San Jaime apostle, with the annual "Fiestas Patronales" local fiestas. The streets are transformed for the entire event with floral decorations, lively musicians, open -air theatres, firework displays and religious parades.
The fiesta dates back to March 1740 when a boat appeared just of the coast of Benidorm dragged in by a violent storm. The boat was burned to prevent an epidemic, but local boys found an image of the Virgin in the rubble and took her to the local church, later a chapel was built. This is the story that forms a large part of the November fiesta and each year the story is re-told on Poniente beach on Saturday.
Benidorm November Fiestas always begin on the Friday of the second weekend of November and officially ends the following Wednesday with a spectacular Firework display.
During EVERY fiesta you will see Mascletas listed on the schedules, these are the loud, thunderous firecrackers. They are fired randomly, particularly during the day. They are not for the faint hearted, they are really loud and not designed to see as such as they are not really pretty but are designed to stimulate your body through rhythmic sounds and vibrations.
Benidorm November Fiesta
*What is a “PEÑA”
The dictionary defines it as “a group of friends “. That is one of the meanings of the word peña and indeed peñas are (or at least used to be) composed just of groups of friends but they have evolved towards today’s “Cultural and recreational associations”.
50 to 60 years ago a few peñas (groups of friends) begun organising events for the youth in several cities and villages across Spain, because back then most of the festivals were purely religious and they lacked activities to entertain them.
Today peñas (the current cultural associations) vary in size from just a dozen members up to thousands, here in Benidorm there are around 4000 people that are in the various peñas.
What originally were a few friends playing their own guitars, cooking lunch and sharing time during the festivals, have become organisations that prepare concerts, and are directly involved in the parades etc
Benidorm November Fiesta
MAJOR FIESTAS PROGRAMME 2022 - This is just a guide, please note the schedule for 2023 will not be published until just a few days beforehand.
Suitable access points for those with disabilities for the major parades.
FRIDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
18:00 LIGHTING OF THE ARTISTIC ILLUMINATION, by our Queens, at Martínez Alejos avenue and Opening of the “Porrat” (street market) at Emilio Ortuño avenue.
19:00 INAUGURATION OF THE FAIRGROUND, near the Bullring. Children´s day: special prices.
22:00 “PEÑAS” INFORMAL PARADE. Meeting of the “Peñas” at Ruzafa street. Parade around the streets Ruzafa and Martínez Alejos.
SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
10:00 MASS, at the Church of San Jaime, in honour to the Virgin of the Suffrage, sung by “La Barqueta” and the Church Choir.
11:45 OPENING OF THE DOORS AT SAINT JAMES AND SAINT ANNE´S CHURCH, to sing the VERSES IN HONOUR TO THE VIRGIN.
12:00 ANGELUS AND BELL RINGING and spectacular AIR BOMBING, by the pyrotechnics company RICASA, from Plaza de la Señoría, to announce that
THE MAJOR FIESTAS 2022 HAVE BEGUN!
12:15 BRASS BANDS PARADE, starting from Plaza de San Jaime to finish at Plaza de SS. MM. los Reyes de España (Town Hall). Itinerary: Mayor, Alameda de D. Pedro Zaragoza, Herrerías and Plaza de SS.MM. Reyes de España.
13:00 GATHERING OF BRASS BANDS, at Plaza de SS. MM. Reyes de España, to perform the piece "FIESTA IN BENIDORM". Afterwards, COLOURFUL AIR BOMBING, by the pyrotechnics company RICASA.
17:00 At Poniente Beach, THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE FINDING OF THE VIRGIN, by the theatre group of “La Barqueta”. Afterwards, SALVOES OF HONOR, by the pyrotechnics company RICASA, in honor of our patron saint, the Virgin of the Suffrage.
18:30 SOLEMN PROCESSION, leaving from Parque de Elche (Harbour) through the following streets: Paseo de la Carretera, Alameda del Alcalde D. Pedro Zaragoza, Mayor Street and Plaza de San Jaime.
When the procession gets to the church, there will be a FLOWER OFFERING TO THE VIRGIN, followed by the reading of the Verse to Our Patron Saint and the ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FIESTAS. Afterwards, the Anthems of Benidorm and the Region of Valencia will be sung, to end with a SUPERB FIREWORK DISPLAY, at Plaza de la Señoría, done by the pyrotechnics company RICASA.
23:30 Great concert, at Plaza de SS. MM. Los Reyes de España, of “THE GAFAPASTA”.
01:00 Broom Football tournament at Auditorium Oscar Esplà..
SUNDAY 13TH NOVEMBER: VIRGIN OF THE SUFFRAGE´S DAY
09:00 Chocolate for everyone, thanks to “Chocolates Marcos Tonda” in the large tent of the Festivities Comission located at Plaza de SS. MM. Reyes de España (Town Hall).
11:00 HUGE CHILDREN PLAYPARK at Plaza de SS. MM. Reyes de España.
11:30 SOLEMN MASS IN HONOUR OF OUR PATRON SAINT, THE VIRGIN OF THE SUFFRAGE, at the Church of Saint James and Saint Anne, sung by the “Camerata Ars Cántica de Benidorm”. Afterwards, AIR BOMBING and PARADE, around the streets of the Old Town.
14:00 MARVELLOUS PYRO-DIGITAL “MASCLETA” (super big banger) at avenue Jaime I (Poniente Beach), done by the pyrotechnics company RICASA. The “Destilería Tenis” will do a tasting of “Anís Tenis”, until they run out of stock.
17:00 Children´s theatre “Diversión Espacial” at Huerto de Colón (Tomás Ortuño street). Afterwards, there will be chocolate for all the kids, thanks to “Chocolates Marcos Tonda”.
19:30 SOLEMN PROCESSION IN HONOUR TO THE VIRGIN OF THE SUFFRAGE. Itinerary: Mayor Street, Alameda de D. Pedro Zaragoza, Los Ángeles, Metge Pérez Martorell, Martínez Alejos, Paseo de la Carretera, Santa Faz, Mal Pas and Plaza de San Jaime. Afterwards, traditional “ESTAMPETA” in honour to the Virgin of the Suffrage, at Plaza de San Jaime.
23:00 The traditional “COPLETES” will be sung to the Virgin of the Suffrage, at Plaza de San Jaime.
23:30 Concert of the “ORCHESTRA MAXIM”, at Plaza de SS. MM. Los Reyes de España.
MONDAY 14TH NOVEMBER: SAINT JAMES´ DAY (offices, banks etc will be closed)
09:00 Chocolate for everyone, thanks to “Chocolates Marcos Tonda” in the large tent of the Festivities Comission located at Plaza de SS. MM. Reyes de España (Town Hall).
11:00 HUGE CHILDREN PLAYPARK at Plaza de SS. MM. Reyes de España.
11:30 At the Church of San Jaime, SOLEMN MASS IN HONOUR TO SAINT JAMES, sung by the “Parochial Choir” accompanied with organ. Afterwards, AIR BOMBING and PARADE, around the streets of the Old Town.
14:00 GREAT PYRO-DIGITAL MASCLETA (super big firecrackers), at avenue Jaime I (Poniente Beach), done by the pyrotechnics company RICASA.
17:00 Children´s wandering theatre “Aventura de un Duende Mágico” at Huerto de Colón. Afterwards, there will be chocolate for all the kids, thanks to “Chocolates Marcos Tonda”.
19:30 SOLEMN PROCESSION IN HONOUR TO SAINT JAMES by the streets: Mayor, Alameda D. Pedro Zaragoza, Paseo de la Carretera, Santa Faz and Plaza San Jaime. Afterwards, traditional “ESTAMPETA”, in honour to Saint James. Inside the temple, the names of the members of the organizing committee (“Mayorales”) of the Fiestas 2023 will be revealed.
23:00 Great Orchestra at Huerto de Colón..
23:00 Music Show “HOMENAJE A LA RUTA DE LOS 90”, with the DJ´s VÍCTOR PÉREZ and VICENTE FERRER at Plaza de SS. MM. los Reyes de España,
01:00 Spectacular “CORREFOCS” (moving fire and sound show), by “Colla de Dimonis Polopins”, leaving from Plaza de SS. MM. Los Reyes de España and through the streets: Hondo, Ruzafa and Herrerías to end at Plaza de SS. MM. Los Reyes de España.
What are Correfocs - Translated it means "fire-runs" and they are one of the most striking events in any local festival, during the Correfocs, a group of individuals will dress as devils and light up fireworks which are fixed on devil's pitchforks or strung above the route, they then dance to the sound of a rhythmic drum group, their fireworks are set off among the crowds. The spectators that participate dress to protect themselves against small burns and attempt to get as close as possible to the devils, running with the fire. Other spectators will watch from "safe" distances,
TUESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER
09:00 Chocolate for everyone, thanks to “Chocolates Marcos Tonda” in the large tent of the Festivities Comission located at Plaza de SS. MM. Reyes de España (Town Hall).
10:30 SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS, at San Jaime Church, sung by the “Parochial Choir”.
Afterwards, OFFERING OF FLOWER GARLAND to the Dead in the Sea, at Plaza de la Señoría, followed by a visit to the cemeteries.
11:00 HUGE CHILDREN PLAYPARK at Plaza de SS. MM. Reyes de España.
14:00 HUGE MASCLETÀ, at avenue Jaime I (Poniente Beach), done by pyrotechnics company RICASA.
19:00 FUNNY COSTUMES PARADE. Itinerary: Venus, Ruzafa and Martínez Alejos.
23:00 Great Orchestra at Huerto de Colón..
23:30 OUTDOOR DISCO with the performance of “WARRIORS BEARS”, at Plaza de SS. MM. Los Reyes de España.
Benidorm November Fiesta
WEDNESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER
10:00 Chocolate for everyone, thanks to “Chocolates Marcos Tonda” in the large tent of the Festivities Comission located at Plaza de SS. MM. Reyes de España (Town Hall).
11:00 Show for children “Pasacalles y encierro de toros y ambulancia hinchable”, starting at Plaza Triangular and ending at Plaza de SS. MM. Los Reyes de España.
12:00 CHILDREN´S “MASCLETÁ”and CANDY FIRECRACKERS at Plaza SS. MM. Reyes de España.
14:00 PYRO-DIGITAL MASCLETA, at avenue Jaime I (Poniente Beach), done by the pyrotechnics company “Pirotecnia Hermanos Sirvent/Piromedia”.
18:00 FLOAT PARADE through the following streets: Martínez Alejos. Ruzafa, Venus, Marte, Almendros ending at Parque de Elche, this year there will be around 40 floats.
A rough guide to the Parade Route
Afterwards, NOISY AND ORIGINAL FIREWORK DISPLAY at Poniente Beach (Harbour), done by the pyrotechnics company RICASA.
NOTE* The firework display in 2019 finally started around 22.00 and went on for 20 minutes for the most fabulous display there is no official time stated, just after the parade, but in this instance the parade was delayed and did not start until 19.00.
IMPORTANT:
- It is forbidden to get into any of the concerts or events with glass containers.
- It is strictly prohibited to use firecrackers, fireworks...or any other type of noisy device, out of the special places and hours set up to that effect.
- The Tourist Office/Benidorm Seriously are not responsible for any of the changes or cancellation of events that may happen.
Please note the above has been translated from Spanish to English so some detail may be slightly lost in translation.
MERRY FIESTAS FOR EVERYONE!
Benidorm November Fiesta
Benidorm Fancy Dress Day is Europe´s Biggest Fancy Dress Party - Fancy Dress Day 17th 2022
This is not officially part of the Spanish Fiestas. It is however always held the day after the Spanish fiestas finish and is the most popular day celebrated by the British tourists.
This tradition started over 25 years ago when Monolo from Sinatras Cabaret bar offered a free drink to anyone who dressed up on the Thursday to continue the celebrations that bit longer. This idea took off and has turned into what is now Europe´s biggest fancy dress street party and each year it grows in popularity with between 30,000 - 40,000 people attend this special day, with most making the effort with their fancy dress outfits and anything goes. It is one of the greatest highlights of the year in Benidorm for many.
Dates for 2023 - 10th to 15th, Fancy Dress Day 16th TBC
Dates vary – They official Spanish Fiesta always begin on the Friday of the second weekend of November and officially end the following Wednesday with Fancy Dress Day always held on the Thursday.
FOR DETAILS OF ALL FIESTA DATES IN BENIDORM FOR 2022 CLICK HERE
Benidorm Fancy dress day - Click here for Photos from previous years Benidorm Fancy Dress Day
THE 2022 PARADE
The Parade which has extravagant themed floats generally starts from outside Morgan Tavern, the time for the start of this year's parade is expected to be around 16.00, there will be several roads closed to traffic.
This year's Fancy Dress route is still to be confirmed, below has been previous years route.
.
Photos from November 17th 2022
LIKE OR FOLLOW BENIDORM SERIOUSLY ON FACEBOOK FOR CONTINUAL UPDATES ON ALL FIESTAS
