Benidorm isn’t exactly off the beaten track, and it’s hardly unknown, but something is going on there this week which perhaps not everyone knows about. Fallas is more synonymous with the city of Valencia, but Benidorm offers a smaller version of the big party up the road, so escape the crowds and head there instead.
There will be parades, bonfires and fireworks to celebrate the feast of San José on, and in the days leading up to, March 19th. The smell of gunpowder and the deafening bangs of the mascleta will fill the air as the people of Benidorm prepare to welcome the start of Spring.
There are three Fallas groups, each responsible for creating their Fallas constructions in their respective districts. They were constructed at the weekend and will be on display all week until they meet their end with the cremá (burning of the fallas) late on Thursday (19th) night.
Here is the schedule for the events:
TUESDAY 17TH MARCH
10.00 “L´Illa de Benidorm” Band Parade, by the streets around the Falla “Rincón de Loix”.
11.00 Parade of Falla “Els Tolls”, around their quarter.
12.00 Parade of Falla “Rincón de Loix” to visit Falla “Benidorm” and then, both Fallas, will go visit the Falla “Els Tolls”.
17.30 Parade of Falla “Els Tolls” to visit Falla “Benidorm” and, afterwards, both Fallas will go visit the Falla “Rincón de Loix”.
WEDNESDAY 18TH MARCH
08.00 “Desperta”. Everyone will wake up to the sound of firecrackers in the streets surrounding the “Falla Rincón de Loix.”
12.00 Parade of the Falla “Rincón de Loix”, with the Benidorm Main Falleras, around their quarter. Also Parade of Falla “Els Tolls” and Falla “Benidorm”, around their quarters.
18.00 Flower offering to the Virgin of the Suffrage and Saint James, with the participation of the three Fallas Commissions. They will meet at Av. Europa / Av. Mediterráneo.
Route: Av. Mediterráneo, Plaza de la Hispanidad, Doctor Pérez Llorca, Martínez Alejos, Plaza de la Cruz, Alameda, Mayor and Plaza de San Jaime.
There will be a firework display after the offering.
THURSDAY 19TH MARCH: SAINT JOSEPH´S (SAN JOSÉ) DAY
08.00 “Desperta” on the streets surrounding the three Fallas.
12.00 Religious service in honour of Saint Joseph.
Falla Els Tolls: Buen Pastor Church.
Falla Rincón: Nuestra Señora del Mar Church.
13.00 Falla “Benidorm”. Religious service, in honour of Saint Joseph, at Saint James Church.
14.00 Magnificent Mascleta (firecrackers sound show) at Falla “Benidorm” (Plaza de la Hispanidad) and at Falla “Els Tolls” (Tomás Ortuño street).
18.00 Grand parade with floats, thanks to the participation of the three Fallas Commissions. Route: Marqués de Comillas, Almendros, Marte, Venus, Ruzafa, Martínez Alejos, Alcoy and Bilbao avenue.
23.00 “Crema” (Bonfire) of the children’s Fallas.
00.00 “Crema” of Falla Rincón de Loix.
00.30 “Crema” of Falla Benidorm.
01.00 “Crema” of Falla Els Tolls.
Have fun, and please share your experiences.
[Adapted from the details found at www.benidorm.es]
