In Benidorm, it doesn’t have to be summer for the city to become a stage. The lights don’t go out when the sun goes down: they multiply. Between skyscrapers that mimic Manhattan and streets with a fairground atmosphere, music fills the air throughout the year. We’re not just talking about DJs or who’s trending on Spotify: there’s room here for tribute bands, choirs, singers dressed in period costume and artists competing for a place at Eurovision. Benidorm doesn’t choose between the sacred and the profane. It prefers to bring everything together. From the echo of a dolçaina at the patron saint festivities to the beat that reverberates on Levante Beach, its festival calendar is a perfect reflection of the city’s ever-changing soul: exaggerated, lively, theatrical…and absolutely addictive.
- Benidorm Fest: the rebirth of a classic to conquer Europe
- Popular music festivals: techno, pop and nostalgia by the sea
- Venues with concerts and live music: Benidorm’s night-time beat
Benidorm Fest: the rebirth of a classic to conquer Europe
It was in 2022 that Benidorm, backed by determination and funding, revived the spirit of the Song Festival that had made it famous in the 1960s. The new Benidorm Fest, created by RTVE, set out to become the selection platform for Eurovision. But the contest achieved much more; it revitalised the city’s musical imagination and attracted new generations of visitors and artists.
The city is transformed during the days of Benidorm Fest. The Palau d’Esports l’Illa is the epicentre, but the energy spills over into terraces, hotels and squares. Finalists, Eurovision fans and curious onlookers mingle in a carnival of glitter, interviews and celebrations. The economic and media impact is so significant that the event has established a new brand: Benidorm is no longer just a beach destination; it’s also synonymous with cutting-edge music.
Popular music festivals: techno, pop and nostalgia by the sea
Benidorm hosts some of the most eclectic festivals in the country, designed for different generations and subcultures. One of the most notable is the Low Festival, held in July, which attracts lovers of indie, electronic pop and alternative rock. The Ciudad Deportiva Guillermo Amor venue brings together international names alongside emerging bands (Pet Shop Boys, Empire of the Sun and Amaia have all performed here), with excellent organisation, VIP areas with swimming pools and an aesthetic that blends modernity with a certain traditional feel.
In a very different vein, the Reggaetón Beach Festival turns Levante Beach into a hive of Latin rhythms and urban sounds. It is one of the most crowded and visually explosive events on the summer calendar. Newer, but no less important, is the Benidorm Summer Festival, which has managed to combine nostalgia for the 90s and 2000s with live performances and DJ sets for local and foreign audiences.
In the autumn, the Iberia Festival has established itself as one of Benidorm’s most outstanding musical events. Held annually at the Julio Iglesias Auditorium during the October bank holiday weekend, this festival brings together big names in national and international pop and rock. The 2024 edition featured artists such as Suzi Quatro, Medina Azahara, Barón Rojo, Tarque, Los Zigarros and Miguel Costas. With a family atmosphere and a programme that spans different generations, it’s an unmissable event for music lovers visiting Benidorm in autumn.
Far from stepping on each other’s toes, all these events form a continuous calendar that reinforces the city’s festive spirit throughout the year.
Venues with concerts and live music: Benidorm’s night-time beat
You don’t have to wait for a major festival to find good music in Benidorm. The city is dotted with venues where live concerts are the norm. One of the best known is KU Benidorm, a space that combines clubbing with live performances and has an aesthetic reminiscent of the party hubs of the 90s. Penelope Benidorm also stands out, with an eclectic programme ranging from commercial pop to electronic music.
But if you’re looking for a more intimate experience, the HeartBreak Hotel, opposite Levante Beach, offers rock, blues and country sessions with local bands playing just a few metres from the sea. Rockstar Benidorm, meanwhile, has earned a reputation as one of the best music pubs in the area, with a loyal following and a continuous schedule of concerts and themed parties.
And for those who want to combine dinner and music, the Castillo Conde de Alfaz, on the outskirts of the city, offers dinner shows with a medieval setting, ideal for groups and celebrations.
