The Fiestas Department designates 21,000 euros to support the festival organizations of Benidorm

Benidorm City Council, through its Department of Fiesats, has approved another year's allocation of €21,000 to support local festivals and non-profit organisations. The local Governing Board gave the green light this week to this grant program, which, according to the councillor for the department, Mariló Cebreros, aims to "help cover some of the expenses involved in organising festivals and events" throughout 2026.

Cebreros pointed out that, as outlined in the guidelines, these grants are intended to "support activities that promote the city's traditions while also serving as a tourist attraction for our municipality." Therefore, the grants will be awarded based on the different types of festivals eligible for funding. Furthermore, he stated that the local government "is demonstrating once again its commitment to the festival associations of Benidorm and to those who are part of them," while also "recognising the value that many of these festivals have as a tourist attraction" for Benidorm.

Regarding the different types of festival associations that can apply for these grants, the first category is "Festivals of Significance in the Valencian Community," which has a total budget of €7,000, of which no more than €2,000 per association will be eligible, provided they meet the requirements established in the terms and conditions. These requirements include holding parades, having marching bands perform through the streets of the municipality, having a pyrotechnic display, a minimum duration of three days of activities, the installation of a representative element characteristic of the festival, and having held their activities for more than five years.

The second category will be for ‘Regional Houses,’ with a total budget of €1,800, of which no more than €600 per entity will be eligible. Among other requirements, these entities will be required to organise parades, hold a public event on their region's official day, have marching bands perform in the town's streets, organise food tastings, and have been active for more than five years.

The third category includes ‘Neighbourhood Festivals,’ with a total budget of €800. Neighbourhoods will be eligible for 100% funding provided they meet the following requirements: organise a musical event for the neighbourhood; hold parades and food tastings; as well as having carried out their activities for more than 5 years.

The ‘Traditional Festivals’ category is fourth, with a total budget of €6,600, of which no more than €1,100 per entity will be eligible, provided they meet very similar requirements to the previous three categories. These requirements also include factors such as the duration of their festivals and the holding of pyrotechnic displays.

Finally, the fifth category is for ‘Brotherhoods,’ with a total budget of €5,400, of which no more than €600 per entity will be eligible. The requirements for brotherhoods include participation in events related to the main Patron Saint Festivals; participation in at least two processions; having at least one processional float; and having been established for more than 5 years. The number of events they hold will also be considered among the award criteria.

The deadline for applying for these grants will be 30 days from the day after the publication of the call for applications in the Official Gazette of the Province, as explained by the councilor in charge, who also pointed out that the applicant entities must be legally constituted and registered in the Register of Associations of the Benidorm City Council; have a stable, active and public headquarters or branch in Benidorm; have as express institutional purposes, according to their own statutes and the characteristics of each entity, the performance of activities oriented towards the festive activity and the promotion and tourism of the municipality; and be up to date with their tax obligations.