Every November, Benidorm adorns itself for the fiestas. The “peñas” (clubs), open to all, are the protagonists of the Comedy parades, and the copletes, nit d’Alba, and flower offerings add music and color to the most entertaining fiestas you can imagine.

From the second Saturday in November until the following Wednesday, there are five festive days of intense activity. The most notable events are: the enactment of the discovery of the Virgin, the flower offering, the parade of humor, the parade of floats and a large fireworks display that takes place on Wednesday, last day of the fiesta.

The festivities date back to March 1740 when a boat appeared on the Benidorm coast dragged in by a violent storm. The boat was burnt to prevent epidemics; however some local boys found the image of the Virgin in the rubble and took her to the church where later they built a chapel. This story is staged each year on the Poniente beach on Saturday about five in the afternoon.

These autumn festivals have been a key tourist attraction over the years. They are so well known that many Britons book their visit to coincide with the festivities because they know they have such a good time. November is therefore a key calendar date in the year, a month where it is still almost high season

Fiestas in Honour of the Virgin of Sufragio and Saint James