Benidorm Patron Saint Festivities

In this article, we’ll try to explain the origins, dates, events, and festive calendar of the Benidorm Patron Saint Festivities. They are probably one of the most open and popular festivals, but also one of the least known by non-residents. Ideal if you come in November and one of the 35 things to do in Benidorm.

ORIGIN OF THE PATRON SAINT FESTIVITIES: VIRGIN OF SUFRAGIO

Like any town or city, Benidorm has its patron saint: The Virgin of Sufragio. On March 15, 1740, a drifting ship was spotted off the coast of Benidorm. Some sailors went out to search for it, returning on March 16 towing a ship with an image of a Virgin holding baby Jesus in her arms on its stern. The authorities decided that the ship had to be burned, as it could be carrying the Plague, so they burned it on the beach with a pile of wood. After the fire, some children went to look for nails and some iron among the remains and found the image intact. This was considered a miracle, since being a wooden statue it had suffered no damage, and since then it has been venerated as the patron saint of the city.

Currently, the image is located in the Church of San Jaime, going up to the Benidorm castle viewpoint. Every year, the scene of the “discovery” is reenacted on Poniente Beach.

WHEN ARE THE BENIDORM PATRON SAINT FESTIVITIES CELEBRATED

With the Virgin’s day being March 16, the festivities are celebrated coinciding with the second weekend of November, from Friday to Wednesday.

WHAT THE PATRON SAINT FESTIVITIES CONSIST OF

For 5 days, religious events are celebrated, such as processions, masses, and offerings, as well as festive events like the Parade of Clubs, Humor Parade, or floats. A large part of the population joins a club, called Penya in Valencian, which is usually identified by an ingenious name in Valencian.

EVENTS OF THE BENIDORM FESTIVITIES

Friday: Inauguration and Clubs

• Inauguration of the Artistic Lighting and the Porrat (area with stalls selling crafts, food, trinkets…)
• Inauguration of the Fairgrounds. Behind the Bullring. You can access it by following L’Aigüera Park to the end, as a reference.
• Entry of Clubs. A presentation parade of Benidorm’s clubs, on Ruzafa and Martinez Alejos streets. More than 100 clubs parade and present themselves to the people who come to watch the parade and to the local authorities.

Saturday: Day of the Virgin

• Mass at the Church of San Jaime in the morning in honor of the Virgin of Sufragio.
• Aerial Bombing (pyrotechnics).
• Entry and Gathering of Bands at the City Hall.
• Solemn Pilgrimage and Flower Offering to the Virgin of Sufragio.
• Representation of the Discovery
• Festival Proclamation and Fireworks

Sunday: Concert

• Despertà. Early in the morning, people walk through the streets throwing firecrackers to wake up the people.
• Mass at the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana
• Mascletà
• Procession in honor of the Virgin
• Main Festival Concert with a relevant group/singer
• Correfoc. Pyrotechnic show that runs through the streets of Benidorm chasing people with sparks and other fireworks. People attend covered with protection, work overalls, gloves, and other clothing to avoid injuries and enjoy the spectacle of being among the “fire”.

Monday: Saint James’ Day

• Chocolate Drink Event
• Mass in Honor of Saint James
• Mascletà
• Solemn Procession in Honor of Saint James
• Musical Party on Gambo Street
• Cordà

Tuesday: Grand Mascletà

• Chocolate Drink Event
• Mass
• Super Mascletà
• Humor Parade
• Night Mascletà
• Musical Performance

Wednesday: Fireworks Castle

• Parade of Benidorm’s Festive Entities
• Children’s Mascletà and Candy Firecracker
• Float Parade
• Grand Fireworks Castle in the Port Area

PHOTOS OF SOME EVENTS

Opening Proclamation

Image of the Virgin of Sufragio

Flower Offering

Representation of the Discovery

WHAT IS DONE IN A PEÑA / PENYA OF BENIDORM

Each peña member pays a fee, established by the peña to cover common expenses. Rent of the premises for the festivity days, drinks, food, and any other expenses that are decided. Additionally, they must be “equipped” with the peña member attire, which at minimum consists of a sweatshirt with the peña’s logo. When walking down the street, you can observe how people wear a smock of their peña as well as a scarf. This attire is required for the flower offering to the Virgin.

It’s normal during these days for peña members to visit each other, seeking out the peña of their neighbors, work colleagues, friends, and family. The host usually invites them to drink and eat something. Children who have just set up a new peña and visit their parents to get some food because in their peña they pay little and don’t have food and dinner included, is another classic.

The vast majority of peñas are registered in the Benidorm peñas association, which organizes events for them throughout the year. Notable among their events are the “Mig Any” or “Peñas Camp” (where they celebrate that there’s only half a year left until the Patron Saint Festivities arrive) and the “Day of the Peñas” or “Peñas Gathering”, two weeks before the start of the Patron Saint Festivities.

Updated event information always on Benidorm.org and VisitBenidorm.es.

Humor Parade

Entry (parade) of Peñas – All peñas with their smocks

Benidorm Fairgrounds

Go to the Correfoc

Attend the Grand Concert