TapaFest Launches Today as Benidorm Fest 2026 Gets Underway

Benidorm / 6 February 2026

TapaFest officially launches today, kicking off the programme of parallel activities for Benidorm Fest 2026, which begins in just a few days with 18 artists competing for the iconic Golden Mermaid trophy and a €150,000 prize.

TapaFest is a gastronomic initiative promoted by Abreca in collaboration with Benidorm City Council, bringing together 20 local restaurants to celebrate creativity and flavour. From today until Sunday 15 February, participating establishments will offer specially created tapas for €3.50.

Visitors are invited to sample the dishes and rate their favourite tapas, with all participants automatically entered into a prize draw to win two tickets to the Benidorm Fest 2026 Grand Final.

The restaurants taking part in this fourth edition of TapaFest are:
Arrocería La Marina, Baldo, Bodegón Aurrera, Cervecería L'Abadía, El Linaje de Castilla, La Cava Aragonesa, La Fava, La Juana, La Pinta Beach, Malaspina, Marisquería El Puerto, Mos, Pinocchio Playa, Pintxos Aurrera, Restaurante Esturión, Shija Sabores de Los Balcanes, Taberna Andaluza, Tabernita del Sur and Tapería Aurrerá.

TapaFest is just one of several activities surrounding Benidorm Fest this week. On Saturday at 12:30 pm, an exhibition will open at the City Hall Art Space (l’Espai d’Art) revisiting five historic editions of the Benidorm International Song Festival, covering the years 1960 to 1965, when the Golden Mermaid was first established as the festival’s symbol.

The exhibition features original documents, photographs, magazines and programmes, and also connects the past with the present through items from Benidorm Fest, including two outfits worn by last year’s winner, Melody, alongside other surprises.

The exhibition will be open to the public until Sunday 15 February. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, and weekends from 12:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, except on the 15th, when it will only be open in the morning.

Additionally, from 10 to 15 February, Plaza SSMM Reyes de España will be transformed into a lively food and entertainment space, featuring local food trucks and live music performances, further enhancing the Benidorm Fest experience.