Benidorm begins the countdown to a Pride festival expected to attract more than 20,000 people from September 1 to 6

Benidorm has begun the countdown to the 16th edition of Benidorm Pride, one of the most established events on the city’s annual calendar. The event is expected to attract more than 20,000 people, mostly domestic and international LGBTQ+ tourists, who will take part in the various activities scheduled from 1 to 6 September, according to Santos Torres, organiser of the Pride, who today presented the programme alongside Councillor for Events Jesús Carrobles. Both invited residents and visitors to enjoy what is “considered one of the best Pride celebrations held in Spain.”

In this regard, Torres revealed that Benidorm Pride has established a partnership with Seville Pride and that, together with Barcelona Pride, “they have helped us become part of InterPride, the International Association of LGBTQ+ Pride Organisers, which is a very important step forward for us.” He added that “we can now imagine Benidorm hosting EuroPride one day, as Madrid and Barcelona have done, because we have the necessary infrastructure and accommodation capacity.”

Carrobles, for his part, highlighted the “year-on-year growth of Benidorm Pride” and acknowledged “the great work done by Santos Torres, which has brought us spectacular figures.” He recalled that a few years ago the decision was made to give the event a new direction. It had previously been focused on a “very British” tourist market, whereas now “we have a much more colourful Pride that has become a benchmark in the Valencian Community.” “It is almost six days of celebrations, not only at the event venues, but also throughout the city, and it has a major economic impact on local businesses,” Carrobles stressed. Torres echoed this view, noting that LGBTQ+ tourism “generates a great deal of economic activity because it is an audience that spends a lot on leisure and dining.”

As for the programme, on 1 and 2 September there will be parties at venues around the Old Town. On Thursday 3 September, the Pool Party and the Divas Disco party will be held at the Julio Iglesias Auditorium in l’Aigüera Park. The following day, Friday, will feature the White Party at the Julio Iglesias Auditorium and the After Party at the Rockstar venue. On Saturday 5 September, the Pride Parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. from Levante Beach, “as always attracting many thousands of people along its route.” The day will conclude with the Main Stage party at the auditorium, featuring DJs and live performances. The final day, Sunday, will be dedicated to parties in the Old Town. In total, there will be 18 parties from the start of Pride until its conclusion, Santos Torres said, also announcing the participation of two well-known drag queens, Kika Lorace and La Prohibida. “People in general in Benidorm are very supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. We do not suffer homophobic attacks or insults, and we are a well-established community in the city,” Torres added.

The organiser of Benidorm Pride also highlighted the large number of people expected to travel to Benidorm for the event and pointed to “the difficulty of finding accommodation for some of the invited artists, which shows just how important this celebration has become.” Torres also recalled that an extensive and varied cultural programme, including exhibitions and book presentations, will accompany Pride.

Finally, Councillor for Events Jesús Carrobles highlighted the “significant boost” that this week will once again provide for the city. He said that Pride Week is “very important because of its role in raising awareness and defending LGBTQ+ rights, but it is also an incentive and an economic boost for the city, which is now competing on an equal footing with Pride celebrations in other cities with million-euro budgets, yet which fail to achieve even half the impact of Benidorm Pride.”