Local & Spanish

Benidorm Pride Turns 15: A Week of Parties, Culture and Celebration Under the Slogan “Prouder than Ever!”

Benidorm is gearing up for the 15th anniversary of Benidorm Pride, one of the city’s most iconic annual events, which runs from 1–7 September and is expected to draw more than 20,000 visitors.

Presented today by Councillors for Equality and Events, Ángela Zaragozí and Jesús Carrobles, alongside Pride organiser Santos Torres, the programme promises five themed parties, a packed cultural agenda, and the spectacular Saturday parade featuring some 20 floats, including one from Benidorm Fest.

Santos Torres thanked City Hall for its continued support and explained that this year’s slogan, “Prouder than Ever!”, reflects the expansion of both the party schedule and the cultural events, which aim to preserve Pride’s activist roots. He also underlined Benidorm’s growing LGBTQ+ calendar, now stretching from Benidorm Fest and Euroclub to the grand finale of Pride.

Councillor Carrobles stressed the importance of Pride Week not only as a celebration but also as a driver of tourism and the local economy:

“Benidorm Pride competes on equal footing with events in cities with multi-million-euro budgets, yet delivers an even greater impact thanks to the hard work of organisers, businesses, and artists.”

Party Programme

1–2 September: Bar and club nights across the city.
3 September: Pink Party at Ku Playa (19:00, €10).
4 September: Pool Party at Marina Resort (13:00–19:00, €25) and the first Ñ. Divas Party at the Julio Iglesias Auditorium (19:00, free).
5 September: The legendary White Party at Julio Iglesias Auditorium (19:00, €15 with drink).
6 September: The main Parade, departing at 16:30 from Rincón de Loix, travelling along Levante Beach and Avenida del Mediterráneo before finishing at Plaza de SS MM los Reyes de España. Around 20 floats and hundreds of costumed participants will fill the streets with colour, music and performances, including Benidorm Fest artists Kuve and Kingdom. The celebration continues at the Julio Iglesias Auditorium with the Main Stage (19:30, free), featuring 16 musical acts.

Cultural Agenda

The Department of Equality has organised parallel cultural activities to highlight diversity and inclusion:

An Other History. Valencian References of LGTBIQ+ Resistance: an open-air exhibition in Plaza de SS MM los Reyes de España (until 8 September).
Visible Bodies, Art, and Desire: an exhibition of LGBTQ+ artists at Espai d’Art (25 August–12 September).
2 September: Book presentation Angel, My Foteu-Me by Josep Vicent Escartí, followed by a discussion with LGBTQ+ historian Ernest Gómez Andujar (Municipal Library, 18:30).
4 September: Screening and discussion of Who Wants to Marry an Astronaut? by David Matamoros.
5 September: Talk by Manuela Saborido Muñoz (Manolita Chen), pioneering trans artist and activist (Casa del Fester Auditorium, 19:00).

Councillor Zaragozí summed up the spirit of the week:

“Benidorm Pride is not just a celebration of leisure and tourism, but also a platform to defend diversity, equality, and inclusion—values that have made Benidorm a benchmark for decades.”

🌴 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

First for the latest UK & Spanish news on the hour every hour!

BENIDORM WEATHER

Local & Spanish

Cool Playlist

Benidorm Pride Turns 15: A Week of Parties, Culture and Celebration Under the Slogan “Prouder than Ever!”

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

First for the latest UK & Spanish news on the hour every hour!

Latest Music Video's

Spain's More Music Variety

A Shine Media Spain Radio Station : 2026

A Shine Media Spain Radio Station : 2025

A Shine Media Spain Radio Station : 2026