The fancy dress party has once again taken centre stage following the Festes Majors Patronals in Benidorm, drawing more than 30,000 participants in costumes to the streets of Rincón de Loix. While the majority of attendees are British, there is a growing presence of Spanish citizens joining the festivities.
Recognised as the largest outdoor costume party in Europe, the event filled the streets of Mallorca, Lepanto, Gerona, and surrounding areas with colour, music, and a vibrant atmosphere from early in the morning. Organised by local hotels and entertainment venues in collaboration with Abreca and the Benidorm City Council, the fancy dress party has been celebrated for over 30 years on the day following the Festes Majors Patronals.
Benidorm's mayor, Toni Pérez, along with the councillor for festivities, Mariló Cebreros, and the councillor for citizen security and events, Jesús Carrobles, participated in the celebration, which attracts thousands of tourists each year. Many attendees travel specifically from the UK or other parts of Spain, planning their holidays months in advance to partake in this unique carnival, which continues to gain popularity among the national audience.
Authorities monitored the vibrant parade from a stage set up at the intersection of Gerona and Derramador streets. To ensure safety, the local police established vehicle access controls in the area between Mallorca, Gerona, and Lepanto, supported by the National Police. A special protocol was also implemented to prevent any unforeseen incidents, involving healthcare services, Civil Protection, and firefighters, which included street closures as crowds increased to facilitate both the flow of people and the celebration of the float parade organised by local entertainment venues along Gerona street.
Local businesses actively participated, with around fifty establishments collaborating in the event's organisation. The organisers emphasised their aim for the party to continue growing each year, attracting more visitors from diverse locations, as has been evident in recent editions. They reiterated that the event is very safe, with minimal incidents, thanks to the collective efforts of all involved, the cooperation of the City Council, and the positive atmosphere created by the attendees, as confirmed by local police. Celebrations in local venues are expected to continue well into the night.
