Benidorm Fancy Dress Party
The Benidorm Fancy Dress Party is the biggest fancy dress party in Europe. Every November, on the Thursday after the town's fiestas, more than 30,000 people in full costume take over the Rincón de Loix and the New Town for one extraordinary day and night.
It started over 25 years ago as a bit of fun among British holidaymakers at the end of fiesta week and has grown into an unofficial institution. There is no organiser, no tickets and no official programme — just tens of thousands of people in increasingly elaborate costumes filling the bars, streets and terraces from early afternoon until the small hours.
The effort people put in is legendary: full film crews, marching bands in matching outfits, entire stag parties dressed as one theme, and costumes that have clearly taken months to build. Even if you only wear a wig and a Hawaiian shirt, you will feel underdressed.
Dates
| Year | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 November 2026 | Expected |
| 2027 | 11 November 2027 | To be confirmed |
What happens, day by day
Morning
Costume shops and market stalls do a roaring trade in last-minute outfits. Groups put the finishing touches to their costumes at the hotel.
Early afternoon
From around 1–2pm the Rincón de Loix starts filling up. Calle Gerona, Calle Ibiza and the bars around the Square are the first to get busy, with live music on the terraces.
Late afternoon
Peak time. The strip between the Rincón and the Square becomes one moving crowd of costumes. This is the best time to walk the route and see the most elaborate outfits.
Evening and night
The party moves into the show bars and late venues. Tribute acts and cabaret play to packed, costumed crowds, and the Square carries on until dawn.
Where
There is no single venue — the party covers the whole Rincón de Loix and New Town. The busiest stretches are Calle Gerona, the streets around the Square, and the bars along Avenida de Mallorca and Calle Ibiza. The Old Town stays much quieter if you want a breather.
Rincón de Loix and the New Town — Centred on Calle Gerona, the Square and the Rincón de Loix, Benidorm
Cost
Free — there are no tickets and no entry charge for the street party. Your only real cost is the costume.
Where to stay nearby
This is the busiest week of the autumn and hotels near the Rincón de Loix sell out months ahead — book as early as you can.
What's on in the bars that week
Shows listed for 12 November 2026:
Bar line-ups for these dates haven't been published yet. They appear here automatically as venues list them.
Benidorm Fancy Dress Party — FAQs
When is the Benidorm Fancy Dress Party 2026?
It is always the Thursday after the November fiestas.
Is the Benidorm Fancy Dress Party really Europe's biggest?
Yes — with more than 30,000 people in costume it is the largest fancy dress party in Europe, and it has been running for over 25 years.
Do I need a ticket for the Benidorm Fancy Dress Party?
No. It is a free, unofficial street party — there is no organiser, no tickets and no entry charge.
Do I have to wear a costume?
It is not compulsory, but almost everyone does, and you will feel out of place without one. Even a simple costume is better than none.
Where is the best place to be on Fancy Dress Day?
The Rincón de Loix around Calle Gerona and the Square is the heart of it. Arrive by early afternoon to see the best costumes before the crowds peak.
Related guides
Last updated 9 October 2026 by the onbenidorm team.