This past week the fiestas of San Antonio Abad and Santa Águeda have been celebrated and the streets are still echoing with the joy and energy left by its people. This year, the celebration has exceeded all expectations and has brought together a multitude of locals and visitors who have enjoyed an unparalleled atmosphere and has broken historical attendance records, especially on the day of paellas. From the traditional blessing of the animals with the distribution of ‘coquetes’ to the emblematic Paella Day, Benicassim has dressed up as a fiesta and has once again demonstrated why these celebrations are so much loved and awaited.
The fiestas of San Antonio Abad in Benicassim are much more than a tradition; they are a symbol of identity and a meeting point for the town. This 2025, the festive atmosphere was felt with special intensity despite the rainy days, as the good weather accompanied the big events and allowed the open-air events to shine in all their splendour.
The fiestas got off to an unsuccessful start as the traditional bonfires to kick off the festivities were cancelled due to the weather. But despite this, the people of Benicàssim did not give up and after the weather improved a little, ‘coquetes’, the traditional sweet of the fiestas made with oil, sugar, aniseed and muscatel, were handed out and the animals were blessed. This small act, different from previous years, was a place of meeting and celebration to plan the big week that was beginning.
Another of the most eagerly awaited events is the procession in honour of San Antonio Abad with the participation of the Queens, the festeros, festerteras, authorities and other participants. In addition to the participation of the Unión Musical Santa Cecilia de Benicàssim which accompanies them throughout the procession.
In addition, we were also able to enjoy the traditional Cremaller dance, musical performances, exhibitions, fancy dress parades and bullfighting events that enlivened the rest of the festive week. Undoubtedly, the streets were full of people enjoying the parades, the street parties and, of course, the festive atmosphere that could be breathed in every corner. Another highlight among the events was the farewell to the fiestas with the ‘correfoc’ (fire run) and the fireworks display.
But without a doubt, the most eagerly awaited event was the paellas. The Paellas Day has been declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest and was the highlight of the week. This event was the highlight, bringing together more than 33,000 people who cooked and tasted the traditional paellas, creating a unique atmosphere of brotherhood and conviviality. This year the traditional lunch also had a charitable character, with part of the proceeds going to the victims of the DANA.
And as every year from Bonterra, we cooked a large wood-fired paella to delight all our customers who do not want to miss this gastronomic experience and brotherhood. In addition to the delicious paella, every year we have a reserved street where we set up tables so that our customers can enjoy this deep-rooted tradition and share it with neighbours and visitors.
This increase in participation reflects the deep-rooted nature of the fiestas and the interest they generate both in the inhabitants of Benicassim and in those who come from abroad to live this experience.
Without a doubt, the San Antonio 2025 fiestas in Benicassim have left an indelible mark. The good weather, the massive participation and the excellent organisation contributed to make these celebrations a resounding success. Benicassim demonstrated, once again, its capacity to celebrate its traditions with joy and enthusiasm, consolidating these festivities as an unmissable event in the Benicassim festive calendar. Without a doubt, we are already counting the days for the next edition. Are you going to miss it?
