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Benidorm Bay Launches the 52nd Christmas Sailing Festival This Weekend

Benidorm / 11 December 2025

The waters of Benidorm Bay will host the opening phase of the 52nd Christmas Sailing Festival this weekend, one of the longest-running and most historic sailing events in Spain and the Valencian Community. Organised by the Benidorm Yacht Club, with sponsorship from Benidorm City Council and support from the Valencian Community Sailing Federation, the festival will feature two competitive phases.

The first phase takes place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, showcasing Dinghy Class regattas with 420 and ILCA boats. The second phase, featuring the Optimist Children's Sailing Regattas, will follow after the Christmas holiday on 10 and 11 January 2026.

During the presentation, the Councillor for Sports, Javier Jordá, joined the President of the Benidorm Yacht Club, Jaime Samper, and the club’s sports coordinator, Rafa Madaleno. Samper highlighted that the event is “one of the oldest sailing competitions held both in Spain and in the Valencian Community, now proudly surpassing half a century of history.”

Councillor Jordá emphasised that these Christmas regattas are “one of the most deeply rooted competitions in our sporting calendar,” drawing strong interest from families, sailing clubs and spectators who gather in the port area to enjoy the festival. He added that the event attracts a large number of sailors from across the Valencian Community each year.

Competition Details

The Dinghy Class events include:

420 (double-handed) boats competing in Under-19 and Under-17 categories, scoring towards the regional ranking.
ILCA 4, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes, competing in both local and regional events.
The Children’s Sailing Regatta will feature:
Optimist B category (ages 8–14), competing for regional ranking points.
Optimist A and C categories, participating as invited classes.

Results will contribute to selections for teams representing the Valencian Community in national competitions.

Around 250 sailors from clubs across the region are expected to take part, creating a spectacular maritime scene with Benidorm Island as the backdrop. Thirty young sailors from the Benidorm Yacht Club Sailing School will compete across the 420, ILCA and Optimist classes, aiming to represent their club and city with distinction.

Programme Schedule

Saturday 13 December

09:30 – Opening of the regatta office
12:00 – First races

Sunday 14 December

11:00 – Racing resumes
16:30 – Awards ceremony (approx.)

A total of six races per cass are planned, with one discard allowed after four races have been completed.

The Benidorm Yacht Club expressed its gratitude to the event’s sponsors and partners, including the Alicante Provincial Council, Valencian Sailing Federation, Generalitat Valenciana – Comunitat de l’Esport, Generali Insurance, Bali Group, Mal Pas Group and RA Benidorm.

Councillor Jordá concluded by congratulating the Yacht Club for “keeping alive a regatta with such deep history and tradition” and thanked them for “their continued effort to promote nautical sports in Benidorm throughout the year, from sailing and rowing to windsurfing and beyond.”

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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Benidorm Bay Launches the 52nd Christmas Sailing Festival This Weekend

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

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