Local & Spanish

Last chance to register for Benidorm Carnival parades taking place on Saturday 21 February

Benidorm / 13 February 2026

Those wishing to compete for the best costumes can register until Tuesday 17 February at the Associació de Penyes office.

Benidorm is gearing up for its much-anticipated Carnival celebrations, organised once again by the Associació de Penyes Verge del Sofratge with the support of the Benidorm City Council Department of Festivals.

Festivities will fill the streets on Saturday 21 February, with both children’s and adult parades promising colour, creativity and entertainment. Councillor for Festivals, Mariló Cebreros,

highlighted the enthusiasm surrounding the event, noting that “Benidorm wholeheartedly embraces Carnival each year, showcasing the enormous creativity of our festival-goers and residents.”

Registration Details

Registration for both competitions opened on 31 January and will close at 9:00pm on Tuesday 17 February.

Participants can register by:

Completing the official form at the Associació de Penyes office, Casa del Fester ‘Diego Cano Enguera’, 3 La Biga Street.
Emailing: apvsbenidorm@gmail.com
Depositing forms in the association’s mailbox at the Casa del Fester.

For the Children’s Carnival, entries will also be accepted on the day of the parade between 9:00am and 10:00am at the meeting point.

Parade Schedule

Children’s Parade

10:30am departure from Escuelas Street.
Route: Escuelas Street → Ruzafa Street → Herrerías Street → Plaza de SSMM Reyes de España.
Meeting time: 10:00am.

Adult Parade

9:00pm departure from Venus Street (corner of Tomás Ortuño).
Meeting time: 8:30pm.

The route follows the same course as the children’s parade.

Following both parades, entertainment, refreshments and prize-giving ceremonies will take place. The evening event will conclude with live music in the auditorium.

Prize

Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded across individual and group categories for both children and adults, with top adult group prizes reaching €1,000 plus trophy.

The City Council has encouraged individuals, groups of friends and carnival clubs to complete their registration before the deadline and take part in one of Benidorm’s most vibrant annual celebrations.

🌴 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

Last chance to register for Benidorm Carnival parades taking place on Saturday 21 February

🌴 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