Local & Spanish

Local & Spanish


From January 24 to February 1, the City Council will set up a 'village' in the Plaza de SS MM los Reyes de España with performances, food trucks and entertainment
This year, Benidorm City Council will move the broadcast of the three galas and other parallel activities of the fourth edition of the Benidorm Fest, the musical competition organised by Radio Televisión Española, the Generalitat Valenciana and the City Council to choose the singer or group that will represent Spain at Eurovision, to the Parque de l'Aigüera.
The Councillor for Events, Jesús Carrobles, explained that the venue chosen so that the public can follow the two semi-finals and the grand final live will be the Julio Iglesias Auditorium and that, in addition, to host all the activity related to this event "we are going to create a 'village' area in the Plaza de SS MM los Reyes de España with a wide programme within the framework of the Euroclub".
According to Carrobles, this 'Benidorm Fest Village' will be operational from 24 January to 1 February, the day on which the final of the musical competition will be held, which will once again take place at the Palau d'Esports L'Illa in Benidorm. Throughout the week leading up to the festival, this village will host “performances and other musical activities, such as Eurovision karaoke, as well as a gastronomic area with food trucks”, with the aim of becoming a meeting point for music lovers and Eurofans who travel to Benidorm to experience the Benidorm Fest in the city.
All this thematic offer “will be completed with the exhibition on the origins of our Song Festival that the City Council is organising in collaboration with Spanish Radio and Television” to publicize and promote that historic contest that raised great figures of music, such as Raphael or Julio Iglesias, especially among the younger public.
The transfer of the broadcast of the 'Fest' galas from the Tecnohito to l'Aigüera responds, as Jesús Carrobles explained, to “the good reception that the broadcast of the Eurovision final had in May of last year at the Julio Iglesias”. He pointed out that “this auditorium offers a space with a larger capacity and more comfort for the public, but also for the assembly of the entire infrastructure”, causing in turn “less inconvenience for the citizens because it is not necessary to close for almost a week one of the main arteries of Benidorm such as the Mediterranean Avenue and the area around the Plaza de la Hispanidad”.
Finally, the councillor has shown himself “convinced that this first 'village area' will attract a lot of public throughout the week to enjoy all the activities and performances that will take place in Benidorm, as well as the festival and festive atmosphere of our city”.
About the Benidorm Fest
Following the victories of Chanel, Blanca Paloma and Nebulossa, the Benidorm Fest has now entered the final stretch, with the event taking place at the Palau d'Esports at the end of this month. The first of the semi-finals will be held on 28 January, and two days later it will be the turn of the second. The grand final will be held on Saturday 1 February, which will determine the song that will represent Spain in the Eurovision contest, which this year will take place on 17 May in the Swiss city of Basel.
The 16 finalists of this new edition of the Benidorm Fest who will compete for the Bronze Microphone are Carla Frigo; Celine Van Heel; Chica Sobresalto; Daniela Blasco; David Alfonso; DeTeresa; Henry Semler; J Kbello; K!ngdom; Kuve; Lachispa; Lucas Bun; Mawot; Mel Ömana; Melody; and Sonia and Selena, whose songs have already accumulated thousands of views.
Regional overview: steady pre-summer momentum
Across the Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Altea, L’Alfàs del Pi (Albir), La Nucía and Finestrat, the region is entering a strong early-season phase with increasing visitor numbers, expanding nightlife, and a growing calendar of small cultural and leisure events ahead of the main summer period.
Markets, live music, coastal tourism and community events continue to dominate activity this week, alongside ongoing infrastructure improvements such as new sustainability and mobility projects.
BENIDORM – Markets, nightlife and tourism growth
Weekly street markets in Benidorm remain a key attraction, including Wednesday and Sunday general markets offering food, clothing and local goods.
The Old Town continues to host craft stalls and informal street entertainment, while evening activity is increasing as the summer season approaches.
Live music is now a nightly feature across main entertainment zones, with tribute acts, DJs and bar performances contributing to strong visitor activity.
Tourism officials also note continued preparation for upcoming seasonal events, including the build-up toward traditional spring and early summer festivals.
ALTEA – Culture and coastal leisure
Altea continues to focus on cultural tourism and relaxation, with art galleries, artisan shops and small exhibitions operating throughout the Old Town.
Live acoustic performances and low-key entertainment are taking place across seafront bars, while boat excursions from Altea harbour are operating regular coastal and sunset sailing routes depending on weather conditions.
ALBIR / L’ALFÀS DEL PI – Community events and live music
L'Alfàs del Pi and the Albir area maintain a steady mix of expat and local activity.
Weekly Friday markets remain popular, while Irish pubs and live music venues continue to host regular bands and acoustic performances.
The Casa de Cultura is also hosting community exhibitions, theatre and social events throughout the week.
LA NUCÍA – Sports and weekend activity
La Nucia continues to centre around sports tourism, with its major sports complex hosting training camps and competitive events.
The Sunday rastro flea market remains a key attraction, drawing visitors from across the region.
FINESTRAT – Coastal leisure and markets
Finestrat is experiencing growing beachfront activity as beach bars and restaurants reopen for the warmer season.
Markets in La Cala continue on Tuesdays and Saturdays, offering local produce and artisan goods, while sunset dining and relaxed evening entertainment are becoming more frequent.
VILLAJOYOSA – Culture, coastline and local life
Villajoyosa is experiencing steady early-season activity, supported by its historic old town, colourful seafront and growing cultural tourism offer.
Local markets and small artisan trading continue throughout the week, while the seafront promenade is seeing increased footfall as warmer weather returns.
The town also maintains its reputation for traditional fishing heritage, chocolate production history, and quiet beach tourism, offering a more relaxed contrast to nearby resort centres.
INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE – Benidorm EV expansion
Alongside tourism growth, Benidorm is also continuing its sustainability rollout, including new electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Levante area as part of its broader mobility and climate strategy.
The project forms part of EU-backed funding aimed at supporting low-emission transport across major Mediterranean destinations.
REGIONAL SUMMARY
The Costa Blanca continues its gradual transition into peak tourist season, with activity levels rising steadily across all major towns.

Local & Spanish


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