The Spanish don’t need much of an excuse for a party, so they have plenty of them. If you can burn it, bury or drop it out at sea, then it’s worth making a party out of it… here are a few of the most important Benidorm Fiestas 2009.

August  - Benidorm Music Festival

Loads of mini concerts in the open air auditoriums along the park behind the toen hall. Look out for big name stars in the Bull Ring (Plaza de Toros) or the main stadium. In the past we’ve seen Jamiroquai, Bryan Adams, Marc Anthony (Jay Lo’s boyfriend), Lenny Kravitz and James Brown.

1st Oct - 5th October 2008: Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians Fiesta, Benidorm)

Moors %amp; Christians

The Benidorm folk get ready for one of the most flamboyant fiestas of the year: The Moors and Christians Fiesta in Benidorm (Moros y Cristianos). The Moors and Christians Fiesta is celebrated throughout Spain, but mainly in coastal towns where they celebrate ousting the Moors from each individual town.

A large Castle is built in the Plaza De Hispanidad (or in front of McDonalds to you), in the Old Town. From here the Christians will fire fireworks at the bearded Moors, who will inevitably loose this battle, yet again!

If you are in Benidorm in the fisrt week of October, get yourselves down to the Square in front of Mcdonalds to witness some of the spectacle for yourselves. And, as is the tradition in Benidorm, everynight of the Fiesta will end with firework display.

31st October 2008 - Halloween
Great excuse to get dressed up and just enjoy yourself. Why not start the night with a halloween meal at Hogwarts or the Witches and then end up in the Fun and Fright bar in the Old Town, for a spooky evening full of surprises.

All Saints Day 1st November 2008 (Todos los Santos)
All Saints day is mainly a religious festival (but a great excuse for day off and a lie in after halloween!)

November 7th 2009 - Nov 14th 2009: November Fiestas in Benidorm

The November Fiestas always start on the weekend of the second Sunday of November (slightly confusing as things are starting to kick off on the Friday and Saturday!)

Now this is when the party really starts…. Officially to celebrate the arrival of the Virgin Mary to the shore of Benidorm and also the Patron Saint of Benidorm - San Jaime. This is by far Benidorm’s largest spectacle of the year culminating in one of the best fireworks displays you’ll ever see over Dove Park and the Port, Poniente beach. Some people say that it beats any displays they have seen and that includes Disney Land, Florida!

The whole week is a very noisy afair, the locals get themselves together in groups of what they call Penyas. A penya will take over a bar or an empty shop unit for the week and just have a party with free beer, wine and sangria. Unfortunatly, you will have to be invited to the Penya, but if you get to know some locals, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Be warned that this is a very noisy week in the Old Town of Benidorm with the constant partying, fireworks, bands and kids letting off loud bangers in the streets.

During this week there are loads of extra events in the Square (New Town) during the daytime and a large fun-fair will be set up at the top of the hill by the Bull Ring (Plaza de Toros). There are many other events happening all around the Old Town including parades and market stalls, so just have a wander round and see for yourself what’s going on.

The Thursday is the big night which the British tourists have made there own. Make sure you bring your fancy dress. Apparently the Spanish are even joining in with this unofficial event and the town hall have regonised that it is also an important part of the week!

13th - 15th November 2008: Fiesta de “la Carxofa”

Fiesta de la Carxofa

Carrying on directly after the Fireworks is the Festival of the Artichoke(!), kind of like a thanksgiving or harvest festival. Dates vary - usually the third weekend of November. The burning of the artichoke takes place in the Square in front of The Queens and The Beer Barrel English bar, Benidorm Old Town, so a good view can be had from their terraces. During this time they usually have bands playing on a make-shift stage infront of the Queens and a barbeque.

December 6th 2008 - Constitution Day
Christmas Market 13th - 14th December
Christmas market in Benidorm Old Town - stock up on your local seasonal gifts!

December: Don’t Forget Christmas - Feliz Navidad!

Old Town Christmas lights

As a Catholic country, Christamas is one of the main events of the year for most Spaniards. There will be a large nativity scene set up in the Old Town, just down from the Pig and Whistle Pub….