Virgen del Carmen festival brings together thousands of people in Benidorm for its maritime tradition celebrations
The mass, the proclamation and the exchange of scapulars open the celebrations in which this year the seafaring procession and the Star of the Sea festival coincide.
Benidorm kicked off its Virgin del Carmen festivities this Thursday, one of the city's most deeply rooted celebrations due to its close connection with the sea and the people who have made their living from it generation after generation.
The official opening of the festivities brought together numerous residents, representatives from the festival community, and municipal authorities at the Church of Sant Jaume i Santa Anna, where a mass dedicated to the Star of the Seas was held, followed by the opening address for the 2026 festivities, delivered by priests Juan Antonio González and Jaume Benaloy.
Mayor Toni Pérez and Councillor for Fiestas Mariló Cebreros accompanied the president of the Virgen del Carmen Festival Committee, María Pérez Llorca; the 2026 Honorary Sailor, Raquel Castro; and the President of the Fishermen's Guild, José Miguel Martínez Espinosa, at the event that marked the beginning of the celebrations.
Also in attendance were other members of the City Council, as well as Senator Agustín Almodóbar; regional deputies José Ramón González de Zárate and Manuel Pérez Fenoll; and the Director General of Family, Childhood, Adolescence, and Demographic Challenge of the Valencian Government, Angélica Such.
Representing the city's festival and social organizations, the queens of the 2026 Patron Saint Festivities, Laura Ivars and Carmen Guillem; the president of the Comissió (festival committee), Ramón Cano; and the vice president of the Associació de Penyes Verge del Sofratge (Association of Clubs of the Virgin of Suffrage), Lucho Sánchez, offered their support for these festivities, which are deeply rooted in Benidorm's maritime identity.
During the religious ceremony, the blessing and traditional exchange of scapulars took place between the outgoing Honorary Sailor, Ariadna Orgilés, and the new representative of the festivities, Raquel Castro, in one of the most moving moments of the afternoon.
To conclude the event, Toni Pérez briefly addressed the attendees and congratulated the joint town criers for "the beautiful, informative, and profound proclamation you have offered us." The mayor emphasised that the Carmen festivities are "an expression of this town that has always looked to the sea" and reminded everyone that those who look to the sea "are a town with open arms."
The mayor advocated for "the Carmen Festival to continue showcasing the best of Benidorm" and encouraged residents and visitors to participate in celebrations that "are part of our history and collective memory" and which this year have incorporated changes to the program to give greater prominence to the central events of the festival.
After the ceremony, the image of the Virgen del Carmen, preceded by the Xirimiters de la Marina (traditional musicians), was carried in procession to the port, followed by the Unión Musical (musical band). Once aboard a boat, the traditional maritime procession took place around the bay of Benidorm.
The fleet of boats, led by the port's traditional fishing boats, adorned for the occasion, along with dozens of private vessels, sailed across the bay to offer three laurel wreaths in memory of sailors lost at sea. The first wreath was placed on the seabed by divers, while the other two were offered by the Carmen and Patron Saint Festival committees.
After the maritime procession and the return to port, the Honorary Sailor, Raquel Castro, recited verses in honour of the patron saint of sailors from the balcony of the Fishermen's Guild.
Events planned for the weekend
The celebrations in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will continue throughout the weekend with a full program of festive activities.
On Saturday, July 18, the traditional Flower Offering will take place, with the procession departing at 7:00 p.m. from the Paseo de Colón to the Plaza de la Señoría. There, a floral offering will be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and a tribute will be paid to those lost at sea at the monument dedicated to their memory.
In addition, a street party, contests, and other community events organised by the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival Committee will be held throughout the day.
On Sunday, July 19, at 2:00 p.m., a spectacular aerial and terrestrial fireworks display will take place in the Plaza de SS. MM. los Reyes de España, set off by Turís Pyrotechnics, bringing this year's festivities to a close.
