Ten bands paraded in Benidorm. Credit: Benidorm Town Hall
Benidorm has officially launched its much-anticipated Festes Majors Patronals, welcoming locals and visitors alike on Saturday November 8, with a vibrant day of tradition, music and celebration. The festivities began at the doors of the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana, where the ringing of bells, traditional “gozos” and a spectacular aerial bombardment marked the start of the major celebrations in honour of the Mare de Déu del Sofratge and Sant Jaume.
Mayor Toni Pérez and Councillor for Festivals Mariló Cebreros joined festival queens Paula Pascual and Aitana Pérez, along with their courts of honour, in the opening ceremonies. The event was also attended by regional deputies José Ramón González de Zárate, Manuel Pérez Fenoll, Mario Villar and José Muñoz, as well as the presidents of the Comissió, Susana Martínez, and the Associació de Penyes, Jonathan López.
Music, parades and official anthems
Following the official opening, ten participating bands paraded to the Plaza de Sus Majestades los Reyes de España, where they performed a moving joint concert. The highlight was the performance of the pasodoble “Fiesta en Benidorm,” conducted by its composer Rafael Doménech Pardo. Thousands of residents applauded the rendition of the festival’s official anthem, which concluded with a dramatic aerial bombardment.
The afternoon programme included the re-enactment of the Discovery of the Virgen del Sofratge, the Floral Offering, and the Official Proclamation by Francisco Saval, culminating with Mayor Toni Pérez closing the ceremony amid fireworks and the playing of the Benidorm and Comunitat Valenciana anthems.
Late-night celebrations and official opening
The festive spirit had already taken over Benidorm’s streets the previous evening, Friday, November 7, with the traditional ‘Entrada de Penyes’—one of the most eagerly awaited events on the festival calendar. This colourful parade, which unofficially signals the start of the celebrations in honour of the Mare de Déu del Sofratge and Sant Jaume, drew thousands of residents and visitors to the city centre for a night of music, joy and pageantry.
Despite the rain, more than 5,000 members of 222 peñas from the Associació de Penyes Verge del Sofratge took part in the spectacular procession along Ruzafa and Martínez Alejos streets, reaching the main tribune where the festival queens, Mayor Toni Pérez, Councillor Mariló Cebreros, regional deputies, and festival association leaders awaited. Each peña received a commemorative sash for the 2025 Festes Majors Patronals from the mayor, councillor, presidents, queens and ladies of honour, creating an atmosphere of pure excitement as crowds cheered along the route.
Safety and festival regulations
The ‘Entrada de Penyes’ began shortly after 10.00pm and continued into the early hours, with peñas carrying on the celebrations at their own venues, unofficially opening Benidorm’s festival days.
With this grand parade, the city officially welcomed the start of the Festes Majors Patronals, which will run until Wednesday, November 13, featuring a full programme of religious ceremonies, traditional events, live music and family-friendly entertainment in honour of the town’s patron saints.
As in previous years, the Benidorm Town Hall has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure safety, cleanliness and public order throughout the festival. The official festival decree also sets guidelines for peñas and festival venues, including restrictions on fireworks during specific hours and mandatory closing times for music and venues.
A packed schedule of activities will continue until Wednesday, November 13. Full details can be found on the municipal website and the official Benidorm Town Hall channels.