Dénia Pride festival brings drag stars and diva anthems to the Costa Blanca

Dénia has celebrated diversity in spectacular style, with a lively Pride event bringing drag performances, classic pop anthems and LGBTQ+ community groups together in the town centre.

The third edition of the Diva Dénia Music Pride transformed La Glorieta into an open-air celebration on Saturday, October 10, attracting residents of different ages for four hours of music, entertainment and a message of inclusion.

Running from 6pm until 10pm, the event offered a local alternative to the larger Pride celebrations held in cities such as Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona, allowing people to celebrate closer to home.

Organisers have championed the idea of a ‘Pride close to home’, creating a community-focused event where music and entertainment sit alongside visibility, acceptance and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Drag performers and classic diva hits take centre stage

Music from some of the biggest female stars of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s provided the soundtrack to the evening, with the programme combining familiar hits, comedy and drag performances.

Presenter La Villaescusa hosted the show, keeping the crowd entertained with humour and introductions throughout the four-hour programme.

The line-up featured Menorcan singer Kevin Coll, alongside performers Michel Vintage and Violeta Moore, as well as DJ Luiggi, who helped maintain the party atmosphere in the centre of Dénia.

One of the evening’s highlights was the appearance of Alma de Soul, who joined the programme following a last-minute change to the advertised line-up.

Alma de Soul, a contestant in the sixth season of Drag Race España, stepped in after it was announced that Valencian drag performer Choriza May would no longer be appearing.

The replacement was warmly received by the audience, with the event continuing to draw an enthusiastic crowd despite the change.

LGBTQ+ organisations bring support and visibility

Beyond the stage, the festival provided space for LGBTQ+ organisations, creatives and artists to connect with the public.

A dedicated fair brought together community groups and creators from the LGBTQ+ community, giving visitors the opportunity to discover their work and learn more about the organisations supporting diversity in the area.

Sexólogos sin Fronteras also attended, offering direct professional guidance on sexual health and diversity.

The presence of these organisations helped broaden the event beyond entertainment, highlighting the importance of accessible information, community support and greater visibility for LGBTQ+ people.

A photocall set up near the stage proved particularly popular, with queues forming as visitors waited for the chance to take photographs with performers after their appearances.

The combination of live music, community stalls and opportunities to meet the artists helped make the celebration an event for a wide range of residents, rather than solely a concert for music fans.

Dénia champions a more local approach to Pride

The success of the third Diva Dénia Music Pride underlines the town’s commitment to creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ visibility and celebration within the local community.

While major Pride events attract visitors from across Spain and beyond, smaller gatherings can offer residents a more accessible way to participate, meet others and show their support for equality.

By bringing performers, community organisations and residents together in a central public space, Dénia’s event combined a festive atmosphere with a broader message of inclusion.

The celebration also demonstrated how cultural programming can help make conversations about diversity part of everyday community life.

With drag artists, well-known pop hits and local organisations sharing the same space, the Diva Dénia Music Pride delivered an evening that blended entertainment with a clear message: Pride can be celebrated on a local scale, with the whole community invited to take part.