On Saturday, there will be a floral offering to the Virgin and those who fell at sea; on Sunday, there will be a seafaring procession around the bay
Benidorm kicks off Virgen del Carmen festivities with a moving proclamation at El Castell square
Benidorm celebrates the official start of the Virgen del Carmen Festival with a parade that departed from Casa del Fester and made its way through the streets of the old town, enlivened by the Colla de Xirimiters de la Marina and the band of the Unió Musical de Benidorm. Officials, festival-goers, and residents marched in procession to the Church of Sant Jaume and Santa Anna to attend the solemn mass, which began just after 8:00 p.m.
Attendees included the Mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez; the Councillor for Fiesta, Mariló Cebreros; other members of the municipal council; and the regional representatives José Ramón González de Zárate and Manuel Pérez Fenoll. Also present were the queens of the 2025 Festes Majors Patronals, Paula Pascual and Aitana Pérez; The presidents of the Commission and the Association of Verge del Sofratge Penyes, Susana Martínez and Jonathan López, among other representatives of the local festival scene, were present.
During the religious celebration, the traditional scapular exchange took place, led by the 2024 Honorary Marinera, Daniela Blanco, and the 2025 Honorary Marinera, Ariadna Orgilés.
After the mass, the celebration continued at the Castell with the official proclamation, delivered by Vicenta Asensio, who highlighted the deep seafaring roots of Benidorm, a city of fishermen, tuna fishermen, and merchant seamen. The herald encouraged both residents and visitors to enjoy one of the most representative and deeply rooted festivals in the town.
The day concluded with a fireworks display at Plaça de la Senyoria, by Pirotecnia Turís, which filled the sky with light and colour as a preview of an intense festive weekend.
The celebrations continue in the coming days with highlights such as the offering to the Virgen del Carmen and those who fell at sea, on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. in Plaça de la Senyoria; the popular street parties in Elche Park; the aerial mascletà on Sunday at noon on Avenida Rey Jaime I; and the traditional seafaring procession through Benidorm Bay on Sunday afternoon, one of the most moving and symbolic moments of this Benidorm celebration.
