Why Benidorm Pride gets it right when so many others have lost their way

Wednesday, 10 September 2025 00:04

By David Catterall DL

Personal reflections on why this Spanish festival still feels grassroots, vibrant, and proudly international.

As someone who has attended Pride events across Europe, I’ve witnessed first-hand how different cities embrace and express LGBTQI culture. From street parades to cultural hubs, each Pride is unique to its community. Closer to home, Bury, Rochdale, Bolton and Salford have become shining examples of grassroots celebration. But for me, Benidorm Pride offers something few others manage: a genuine balance between community-led pride and large-scale celebration.

In Manchester, Pride has grown into a major calendar event, drawing international artists and corporate sponsors. While this has boosted visibility and brought investment, many feel the heart of the event, the grassroots performers, activists and local voices, has been overshadowed by its commercial focus.

Benidorm, on the other hand, has retained that vital community spirit. The Old Town becomes a hub of celebration where local bars and venues are as central as any main stage. It feels authentic, not packaged; a Pride for the people, by the people.

What makes Benidorm even more distinctive is its international reach. I’ve seen Manchester’s LGBTQI scene represented proudly, not just in the crowds, but on stage. Drag artists, performers and community groups from across Europe come together here. It’s not just a Spanish Pride; it’s a European celebration in every sense.

That’s why I believe Benidorm Pride deserves recognition. It proves Pride can be big and inclusive, commercial enough to sustain itself, but still deeply rooted in community. It’s a model worth learning from.

At its core, Pride is about visibility, unity and authenticity. In Benidorm, you can feel all three.