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Work begins to transform the Palau d'Esports into the stage for the Benidorm Fest

From a sports field to a television set to host one of the most powerful musical events of the year. Since last Saturday, the Palau d'Esports l'Illa de Benidorm has been hosting the assembly work on all the necessary infrastructure for the celebration of the third edition of the Benidorm Fest, the competition organized by Spanish Radio Television, the Generalitat Valenciana and the City Council of Benidorm to elect the Spanish representative of Eurovision, and which will be held in the city in the week of January 29 to February 4.

The mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, visited the sports venue this Monday to check 'in situ' the progress of these works, accompanied by the councilors of Festivals and Events, Jesús Carrobles, and of Sports, Javier Jordá. There, the municipal delegation has known the deadlines that are managed for the transformation of this infrastructure, work that will last for about twenty more days and in which about 150 RTVE operators will work, which will increase to 300 from next week.

Among the actions that will be carried out in the Palau, the protective floor and some 3,600 square meters of elastic technical floor have already been installed to facilitate the passage of different machinery without causing damage. In addition, lights, stands, stages and other elements will also be enabled to adapt the venue and provide it with all the technical needs of a television set.

The assembly will last until January 28. Days before that date, the technical tests will begin and, finally, starting on the 26th, rehearsals will begin with the 16 finalists and with the presenters selected by Spanish Television to host the galas for this edition.

After his visit to the Palau, the first mayor highlighted that in just three editions the Benidorm Fest “has become a benchmark” and that “it has come to revolutionize the musical panorama of our country, capturing the interest of a large audience and also reaping dozens of awards and recognitions”, such as a Special Mention in the prestigious Ondas Awards; two awards from the FestVal de Vitoria; or three Iris awards from the Television Academy, among many others.

Likewise, Toni Pérez recalled that the Benidorm Fest will hold its two semi-finals on January 30 and February 1, while the grand final gala will be on February 3. This program will be completed with a 'Euroclub' party, which will take place on January 31 at the 'Ku' nightclub, and a free concert scheduled for February 2 in the Plaza de la Hispanidad, as well as a new edition of 'Tapa Fest' in local hospitality establishments.

The public who cannot watch the competition from the Palau d'Esports but want to experience the competition in Benidorm will also be able to follow the galas live from the screens that will be installed at the Tecnohito.

In addition to winning the Bronze Microphone, the winner of the Benidorm Fest will have the honor of representing Spain in the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held from May 14 to 18, 2024 at the city's Malmö Arena. from Malmö, Sweden.

🌴 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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Work begins to transform the Palau d'Esports into the stage for the Benidorm Fest

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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