Benidorm's non-PC party! Revellers try to outdo each other at 'bad taste' fancy dress festival as thousands parade through the streets

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#Benidorm039s #nonPC #party #Revellers #outdo #039bad #taste039 #fancy #dress #festival #thousands #parade #streets


  • The event, hoping to host 40,000, in an annual fixture and highlight for Brits bracing Benidorm in November 

Rowdy British revellers dressed up as fake Just Stop Oil protesters demanding to stop illegal migrants, while another was spotted pretending to be a bag of cocaine at Benidorm’s riotous annual ‘bad taste’ Fancy Dress Party.

The event in the neighbourhood of Rincon de Loix is billed as Europe’s biggest costume party and expects to draw as many as 40,000 visitors – a figure steadily recovering from pandemic-era lows.

Now in its 33rd year, the ‘bad taste’ festival has become a regular fixture for British tourists, who have been flocking to the Mediterranean city on Spain’s east coast since the package holiday explosion in the 1960s.

In one snap a group of men wearing police helmets dress up as fake Just Stop Oil activists with a message on their orange t-shirts reading ‘Just Stop illegal migrants’.

Another man appears to have painted his face black as he dresses up as Mr T from the A-Team as he crosses his arms while a woman stands next to him and poses as Supergirl. 

While a man was pictured holding a pint of lager with a clear bag partly filled with white powder dangling from his neck with the word ‘Charlie’ written in blue ink.   

Jesús Carrobles, Benidorm’s councilor for events and citizen security, said today the celebration has ‘become a reference’ set to ‘provide a great note of colour in the city’, adding that ‘in Benidorm we are delighted to welcome everyone who comes and participates in this festival, which grows every year’.

One attendee was pictured today dressed up as Alan Garner from the film The Hangover, a huge brown wig and beard plastered to his face. A baby doll was strapped to his chest in a carrier.

Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas also made an appearance alongside the Spice Girls, while a Star Wars Stormtrooper in a bikini was seen mingling with Egyptian pharaohs sipping on Spanish lager.

Others came dressed as Disney or Pixar characters, including Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Pocahontas. Shrek and Fiona made an appearance with Nintendo favourites Mario and Luigi during the boozy festivities.

It was a triumphant return to form for the event which attracted up to 50,000 attendees a year before Covid, according to Actualitat Valenciana. 

One group of men wear orange T-shirts in the same styled branding as environment activist group Just Stop Oil but with the message 'Just Stop Illegal Migrants' with a poppy in place of the 'O' in 'stop

One group of men wear orange T-shirts in the same styled branding as environment activist group Just Stop Oil but with the message ‘Just Stop Illegal Migrants’ with a poppy in place of the ‘O’ in ‘stop

One man appears to have painted his face black as he dressed up as Mr T from the A-Team as a woman stands next to him and poses as Supergirl

One man appears to have painted his face black as he dressed up as Mr T from the A-Team as a woman stands next to him and poses as Supergirl

A man stands in a bar holding up a pint of lager with a clear bag partly filled with white powder dangling from his neck with 'Charlie' written in blue ink on the front

A man stands in a bar holding up a pint of lager with a clear bag partly filled with white powder dangling from his neck with ‘Charlie’ written in blue ink on the front

Revellers turned up in a range of outfits, some coordinated in large groups, others celebrating in their own style

Revellers turned up in a range of outfits, some coordinated in large groups, others celebrating in their own style 

Pharaohs of Egypt, holding a beer, stand with a Star Wars stormtrooper for the riotous festivities on Spain's east coast

Pharaohs of Egypt, holding a beer, stand with a Star Wars stormtrooper for the riotous festivities on Spain’s east coast

Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas made an appearance at the boozy festival in Benidorm, pictured today

Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas made an appearance at the boozy festival in Benidorm, pictured today 

Some turned out as Spice Girls, with creative interpretations of their outfits, for the annual costume party in Benidorm

Some turned out as Spice Girls, with creative interpretations of their outfits, for the annual costume party in Benidorm

One man came dressed as Alan from the 2009 comedy, The Hangover, complete with a baby doll

One man came dressed as Alan from the 2009 comedy, The Hangover, complete with a baby doll

It was a triumphant return to form for the event which reportedly attracted up to 50,000 attendees a year before Covid

It was a triumphant return to form for the event which reportedly attracted up to 50,000 attendees a year before Covid

Freddy Kruger from A Nightmare on Elm Street and It from It were spotted enjoying the festivities among the crowds

Freddy Kruger from A Nightmare on Elm Street and It from It were spotted enjoying the festivities among the crowds

A man in a bald cap, in a chicken costume, drinking a beer, makes the most of the last of the Spanish sun in Benidorm today

A man in a bald cap, in a chicken costume, drinking a beer, makes the most of the last of the Spanish sun in Benidorm today

Santa makes an early appearance with an elf, and another beer, during the celebrations on November 16, in Rincon de Loix

Santa makes an early appearance with an elf, and another beer, during the celebrations on November 16, in Rincon de Loix

Two creatives stood out in jellyfish costumes with blue face paint during the fancy dress party this afternoon

Two creatives stood out in jellyfish costumes with blue face paint during the fancy dress party this afternoon 

Shrek, Fiona, Mario and Luigi make a rare crossover during an afternoon of silliness in Benidorm, Spain

Shrek, Fiona, Mario and Luigi make a rare crossover during an afternoon of silliness in Benidorm, Spain

Where's Wally? An array of colourful characters made for a real spectacle during this year's festivities in Rincon de Loix

Where’s Wally? An array of colourful characters made for a real spectacle during this year’s festivities in Rincon de Loix

The event is in its thirty-third year and expects to draw as many as 40,000 visitors - a figure recovering from pandemic lows

The event is in its thirty-third year and expects to draw as many as 40,000 visitors – a figure recovering from pandemic lows

Jesús Carrobles said today the celebration has 'become a reference' set to 'provide a great note of colour in the city'

Jesús Carrobles said today the celebration has ‘become a reference’ set to ‘provide a great note of colour in the city’

Revellers in character, dressed as workmen, hold signs reading 'stop', 'walking prohibited' and 'dangerous: operation zone'

Revellers in character, dressed as workmen, hold signs reading ‘stop’, ‘walking prohibited’ and ‘dangerous: operation zone’

Wally makes another appearance as crowds flock to show off their vibrant outfits amid the festival in its 33rd year

Wally makes another appearance as crowds flock to show off their vibrant outfits amid the festival in its 33rd year

The event will host live music, food stands and as many as thirty floats passing by in a grand parade, expected to draw 40,000

The event will host live music, food stands and as many as thirty floats passing by in a grand parade, expected to draw 40,000

A group of nurses pose for a photo with a comically large syringe, and an Adidas crossbody bag, at the event on Thursday

A group of nurses pose for a photo with a comically large syringe, and an Adidas crossbody bag, at the event on Thursday

Many came as Disney or Pixar characters, including Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Pocahontas

Many came as Disney or Pixar characters, including Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Pocahontas

A variety of costumes on view during Thursday's festivities in Spain, notably Wally again and Freddie Mercury from 'I Want to Break Free'

A variety of costumes on view during Thursday’s festivities in Spain, notably Wally again and Freddie Mercury from ‘I Want to Break Free’

Individuals in unmatched costumes pose for a photo near the stage during Benidorm's annual fancy dress party

Individuals in unmatched costumes pose for a photo near the stage during Benidorm’s annual fancy dress party

The crowds shrank during Covid but went ahead unofficially in 2021, with thousands turning out in fancy dress despite a ban. Pictured: large crowds of brightly-coloured outfits mass during 2023's parade

The crowds shrank during Covid but went ahead unofficially in 2021, with thousands turning out in fancy dress despite a ban. Pictured: large crowds of brightly-coloured outfits mass during 2023’s parade

More colourful outfits on one of the quieter streets during the festival on November 16, 2023

More colourful outfits on one of the quieter streets during the festival on November 16, 2023

Lederhosen in November! Tourists enjoy a beer during the festivities earlier today

Lederhosen in November! Tourists enjoy a beer during the festivities earlier today