Benidorm’s finest parade through the streets for the city’s annual fancy dress festival – with Spice Girls, Oompa Loompas and a Stormtrooper in a bikini

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

Rowdy British revellers have descended on Benidorm’s so-called English-quarter for the city’s riotous annual 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.

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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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’

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

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

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’

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

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

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