Festes de Sant Jaume 2026 in Benimarco: An authentic Spanish summer festival in July

The charming rural town of Benimarco, shared between the municipalities of Teulada Moraira and Benissa, will once again come alive this summer for an authentic, deep-rooted Spanish tradition. On Friday, July 24 to Wednesday, July 29, the Festes de Sant Jaume will take centre stage, offering an unforgettable blend of community warmth, rich Mediterranean culture, and festive summer nights.

Traditional customs under the stars

The celebrations will kick off with an incredible sense of local pride. Visitors and residents will gather in the picturesque square around the local hermitage to enjoy open-air dinners, sharing food, wine, and laughter under the stars. This welcoming atmosphere sets the tone for days filled with unique customs, including the iconic “plantà del pi,” or the traditional raising of a massive pine tree trunk in the square, and lively flower-offering parades accompanied by the traditional music of the dolçaina and tabalet, or pipe and drum.

Vibrant music and late-night dancing

As the sun sets, Benimarco will come alive with spectacular open-air concerts from popular show-bands, or orquestas, theatrical performances, and late-night dancing that keeps the energy high until dawn.

Paella competitions and deep-rooted cultural heritage

Food and camaraderie are at the heart of the experience. One of the major highlights of the week is the highly anticipated Día de las Paellas. During this event, the streets fill with the rich aroma of saffron and wood smoke as friends, families, and visitors compete to cook the perfect wood-fired Valencian paella. The final stretch of the festival also features traditional afternoon and evening bull running events, a thrilling cultural staple of the region’s rural heritage.

Whether you want to savour authentic local cuisine, dance the night away to live music, or simply sit back and enjoy the festive atmosphere in the cool night air, Benimarco is the place to be on the Costa Blanca from July 24 to 29.