What’s happened?

Benidorm’s association of ‘penyas’ have announced the suspension of all acts during Benidorm’s Fiestas Mayores Patronales from 7-11 November, 2020.

The group (L’Associació de Penyes Verge del Sofratge de Benidorm) announced the shock move on Facebook this week following two days of meetings with their 4,000 members.

The penyas (group or gang in English) are made up of groups of Benidorm locals who play a major part in Benidorm’s annual Fiestas Mayores Patronales, which were named a Bien de Interes Cultural Autonomico (Asset of Regional Cultural Interest) in 2019.

The penyas kick-off the six-day event by showing off each group in a float-style procession, called the ‘entrada’.

On the Saturday, the penyas help to re-enact the origin story of Benidorm’s Fiestas where a virgin Mary was miraculously discovered on a shipwreck in 1740, and go on to play a main role throughout the festival.

Does that mean the Benidorm Benidorm British Fancy Dress Party 2020 is cancelled?

So far, Benidorm’s Town Hall has not outright cancelled this year’s Fiestas Mayores. Benidorm’s mayor, Toñi Pérez, announced back in June the Fiestas Mayores would go ahead as in previous years.

However, the provincial capitals of Alicante and Valencia have cancelled their biggest festivals this year – Les Fogueres and Les Falles – despite previous attempts to move them to later in the year.

The Fiestas Mayores Patronales de Benidorm are a huge boon to the Benidorm economy, with an estimated 35,000 Brits taking part in the Fancy Dress Party that happens every year the day after the end of the Fiestas.

Regional hotel association Hosbec estimated that in previous years, hotel occupancy has rocketed to 90% during previous Novembers – which is out-of-season for Benidorm.

The association estimated the week of events brings in 15 million euros to Benidorm’s coffers.