You’ll see jailbirds, angels, demons, clowns, gladiators, pirates, ancient Egyptians and a whole lot more when, on Thursday, November 17, thousands will sing and dance their way through the streets of Benidorm in weird and wonderful costumes.

An annual tradition

The craziness dates back some 20 years, when, according to this report, the annual event began when Sinatra’s bar at Calle Lepanto 12 in the New Town offered a free drink to anyone turning up in fancy dress.

The sheer volume of fun lovers that now attend the event soon put paid to the free drink promotion but despite that the numbers continued to grow each November.

An estimated 40,000 are expected this year.

The fun kicks off outside the Morgan Tavern at midday with an enormous paella, the internationally renowned Valencian rice dish. This is prepared outside the bar and portions are given out for free.

Morgan’s greatest claim to fame is its frequent appearances as Neptune’s Bar in the popular ITV series, Benidorm.

The biggest one yet

On its Facebook page, Sinatra’s says:

This year will be the BIGGEST and BEST fancy dress party yet with the party starting and finishing here in Sinatra’s! As always, we will also have live day-time entertainment, free t-shirts, and the very best fiestas party atmosphere in town.

Around 2 pm a parade starts at the top of the Strip (Sinatras & Cafe B).

There are still some last minute accommodation bargains on offer but you’ll need to be quick to take advantage of these prices! Click on the links to check them out.

45% discount at the Hotel Melina from the 12 to 19 November – was €903 now €500.

37% discount at the Apartamentos Terralta from 12 to 19 November – was €432 now €274

48% discount at the Hotel Benidorm City Olympia from the 14 to 18 November – was €312 now €163

37% discount at the Hotel Madeira Centro from the 14 to 18 November – was €420 now €271

38% at the Hotel Port Benidorm from the 16 to 19 November – was €519 now €320

37% discount at the Servigroup Rialto from the 16 to the 19 – was €371 now €254

All prices are based on 2 sharing, some have free cancellation and breakfast included.

The city’s fiestas

The fancy dress celebrations follow the fiestas held in November in Benidorm to honour its two patron saints, the Virgen del Sufragio and Sant Jaume Apòstol. The streets throughout the city are bedecked with floral decorations and there is live music, firework displays and religious parades.

Benidorm’s fiestas this start on Friday, November 11, usually around 17:00 and culminate on Wednesday, November 15, with a spectacular firework display.

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