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Hundreds of neighbours and tourists celebrate the traditional 'Palm Blessing' in Benidorm as the start of Holy Week

This Palm Sunday, several hundred people celebrated the traditional blessing of palms and olive branches in the church of San Jaime and Santa Ana. The procession of palms through the streets near the church, which began at eleven o'clock the morning, preceded the Holy Mass celebrated at its end.

Likewise, several hundred residents and tourists have walked the streets of the old town with their palms and many more have witnessed the procession during a route that began from the church itself and ran along Santa Faz Street, Paseo de la Carretera, Alameda and Calle Mayor, ending again at the door of the parish church.

The mayor of Benidorm Toni Pérez, the regional deputy, Manuel Pérez Fenoll, the parish priest Juan Antonio González Magaña, several members of the municipal corporation, along with a large representation of children, participated in the procession. There has also been municipal representation in the rest of the parishes in which a procession has been held.

The festival, which marks the beginning of Holy Week, has had as its main protagonists the children, who, according to tradition, are presented by their godmother with a palm to be blessed that day. A blessing carried out by the parish priest of the church of San Jaime in the moments prior to the procession. Afterwards, mass was celebrated in a church completely packed with faithful.

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🌴 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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Hundreds of neighbours and tourists celebrate the traditional 'Palm Blessing' in Benidorm as the start of Holy Week

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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