Benidorm’s heart shines as hundreds unite for ASMIBE charity festival

Hundreds of people gathered in Benidorm on Saturday June 27 as the city celebrated one of its most cherished annual community events, the XXII ASMIBE Charity Festival of Togetherness, transforming the Óscar Esplá Auditorium into a showcase of talent, inclusion and generosity.

The event, organised by ASMIBE – the Association for People with Disabilities in Benidorm and the surrounding region – has become a firm fixture on the city’s social calendar. Families, local organisations and supporters packed the open-air venue in Parque de l’Aigüera to applaud performances that highlighted the creativity and achievements of people with disabilities alongside guest artists and local performers.

Benidorm mayor Toni Pérez attended the evening with councillors and representatives from numerous local organisations, showing the municipality’s continued support for ASMIBE’s work within the community.

A stage filled with talent

The evening featured a packed programme of theatre, dance and live music, with many performances led by ASMIBE members themselves.

One of the opening highlights was a theatrical production of Lara, the Yellow Ladybird, developed through the association’s emotional education workshops. The performance was followed by a series of dance routines and musical numbers involving ASMIBE participants, students from Benidorm’s Municipal Dance Conservatory and other local collaborators.

A standout moment came when ASMIBE’s Dance Expressions Group took to the stage with an energetic routine inspired by The Greatest Showman, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The second half of the festival continued the celebration with more music and choreography featuring students from vocal coach Selene Roldán, Lourdes Cánovas Dance School and additional guest performers before closing with an emotional interpretation of Antonio Orozco’s Estoy hecho de pedacitos de ti.

More than entertainment

While the performances entertained the audience, the festival’s wider purpose remained firmly focused on inclusion and community participation.

For more than two decades, ASMIBE has used the annual event to highlight the abilities, confidence and creativity of people with disabilities while raising awareness and bringing residents together through culture and the performing arts.

The strong attendance once again demonstrated the level of public support for the organisation and its ongoing work across Benidorm and the wider comarca. The evening combined celebration with an important message: that inclusion thrives when opportunities are created for everyone to participate.

As the curtain came down on another successful edition, the festival left audiences with lasting memories of powerful performances, heartfelt applause and a reminder that some of Benidorm’s most meaningful events are those built around community spirit rather than spectacle alone.