What to expect
Benimarco is a rural district shared by Teulada Moraira and Benissa. Around the Sant Jaume Hermitage, the close-knit local festival features Pilota Valenciana, religious traditions, dancing, music, paella, fireworks and vaquillas.
Events & culture in Benimarco
Sant Jaume festivities in Benimarco 2026
Benimarco’s traditional Sant Jaume festival brings together Valencian customs, music, shared meals, fireworks and evening celebrations.
Main festival from 23 to 29 July, with preview events on 17 and 18 July.
Highlights & useful notes
- The main programme runs from 23 to 29 July; Quinto & Tapa provides an early start on 17 and 18 July.
- The central meeting point is the Sant Jaume Hermitage and Plaça de l’Ermita in Benimarco.
- “Vaquillas” are traditional runs with young cattle in a secured festival enclosure, not a formal bullfight.
- Arrive a little early for parades, fireworks and evening entertainment.
- Times may change at short notice; local festival committee notices take precedence.
Full 2026 programme
Every published event with a short explanation. Where the official programme gives no exact meeting point, this is stated clearly.
Friday 17 July
Preview programme- Quinto & Tapa evening
A sociable opening event with drinks and small tapas portions.
Location: Benimarco; exact meeting point not stated in the published programme
Saturday 18 July
Preview programme- Quinto & Tapa day
A community day centred on small dishes and drinks.
Location: Benimarco; exact meeting point not stated in the published programme
Thursday 23 July
Main programme- Pilota Valenciana
A match of the traditional Valencian handball sport.
Location: Benimarco; exact meeting point not stated in the published programme - Community bring-your-own dinner
A “cena de sobaquillo”: everyone brings their own food and eats together in the square.
Location: Plaça de l’Ermita, Benimarco - Live music with Sweet Soul
Performance by the duo Sweet Soul.
Location: Festival area around the Sant Jaume Hermitage, Benimarco
Friday 24 July
Main programme- Traditional pine-tree raising
The “plantà del pi” is a local festival custom in which a pine tree is raised collectively.
Location: Festival area around the Sant Jaume Hermitage, Benimarco - Brisca tournament
Competition in the traditional Spanish card game Brisca.
Location: Festival area around the Sant Jaume Hermitage, Benimarco - Parade and Jardins offering
Parade with Colla de Xirimiters Pere Bigot. The “Jardins” are small dishes of sprouted grain traditionally offered to Sant Jaume.
Location: Through Benimarco; exact route not published - Dance night with Glop Esponja
Open-air verbena with the Glop Esponja orchestra band.
Location: Festival area around the Sant Jaume Hermitage, Benimarco
Saturday 25 July – Saint James the Apostle
Main programme- Despertada
Traditional early-morning wake-up parade, usually with music and firecrackers.
Location: Through Benimarco; exact route not published - Mass, procession and gozos
Festive Mass, procession and traditional devotional songs in honour of Saint James.
Location: Sant Jaume Hermitage, followed by a procession through Benimarco - Traditional races
Local festival races and competitions.
Location: Benimarco; exact meeting point not stated in the published programme - Fancy-dress parade
Colourful costume parade through Benimarco.
Location: Through Benimarco; exact route not published - Valencian dances
Performance by Grup de Danses La Font Santa de Teulada.
Location: Festival area around the Sant Jaume Hermitage, Benimarco - Dance night with Enjoy
Open-air verbena with the Enjoy orchestra band.
Location: Festival area around the Sant Jaume Hermitage, Benimarco - Grand fireworks display
Fireworks by Pirotecnia Hermanos Caballer at midnight on Saturday night.
Location: Festival area around the Sant Jaume Hermitage, Benimarco
Sunday 26 July – Saint Anne’s Day
Main programme- Despertada
Traditional early-morning wake-up parade.
Location: Through Benimarco; exact route not published - Paella competition
Community cooking competition centred on paella.
Location: Festival area around the Sant Jaume Hermitage, Benimarco - DJ Pedro Sendra
Late-evening session with DJ Pedro Sendra.
Location: Festival area around the Sant Jaume Hermitage, Benimarco
Monday 27 July
Main programme- Early-evening vaquillas
Traditional release of young cattle from Ganadería La Templanza in a secured festival enclosure; this is not a formal bullfight.
Location: Secured festival enclosure in Benimarco; exact location not published - Night-time vaquillas
The day’s second traditional cattle session with Ganadería La Templanza.
Location: Secured festival enclosure in Benimarco; exact location not published
Tuesday 28 July
Main programme- Early-evening vaquillas
Traditional release of young cattle from Ganadería La Templanza in a secured festival enclosure; this is not a formal bullfight.
Location: Secured festival enclosure in Benimarco; exact location not published - Night-time vaquillas
The day’s second traditional cattle session with Ganadería La Templanza.
Location: Secured festival enclosure in Benimarco; exact location not published
Wednesday 29 July
Main programme- Early-evening vaquillas
Traditional release of young cattle from Ganadería La Templanza in a secured festival enclosure; this is not a formal bullfight.
Location: Secured festival enclosure in Benimarco; exact location not published - Final vaquillas
The last traditional cattle session in the programme, with Ganadería La Templanza.
Location: Secured festival enclosure in Benimarco; exact location not published
Official programme · Programme checked on 21 July 2026. The festival committee may make short-notice changes.