To dance without stopping and without letting emotion break the moment until tears might surface in the mind. European fans gathered as the Benidorm Fest grand finale lit up the municipal Plaza de la Hispanidad, giving their all in a night charged with passion for their favorite candidates. The big screen captured every detail for those braving the cold, letting them relive the eight finalists’ performances as Spain’s next representative at Eurovision was decided. The crowd erupted when the final points were announced: Nebulossa would head to Malmö.
As with Eurovision each year, the competition’s final in the city brings together a large crowd who come with friends or family to ensure no moment is missed. In the tourism capital, a spot exists where Palau fans who could not attend can still soak in the atmosphere. Teknohito serves as another prime vantage point, with d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm remaining closed to entry for the night.
From Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Vila Joiosa or Dénia, attendees traveled to the tourist capital to feel the Benidorm Fest atmosphere firsthand. A young man and his friends, who describe themselves as European fans “to the bone,” explained that they didn’t have a ticket but the experience held the same electricity here as it would inside the venue.
Party and dance non-stop
Under the circular lights of Plaza de la Hispanidad and in front of a giant screen, the crowd moved to the sound of Maria Pelae performing with a bolero-like warmth. The energy shifted as Two foreigners St. Peter’s joined in, and Angy’s stage appearance ignited the first wave of frenzy. The choreography and the songs from HotWhile Jorge Fernández’s set kept the momentum alive, with some participants dancing non-stop. The moment became one of the night’s most talked-about scenes.
Nebulossa and her track Bitch The challenge collapsed into a chorus of unity as most participants sang along, “I’m in a good moment,” with Sofia Coll joining to stay here. The combined energy sparked a rush of dancing that spread through the crowd. Miss Caffeina and her Dot dot dot kept hands moving in a painterly rhythm, almost like artists at work. The finale closed with Almácor Platinum Shines, sealing the festive mood as if Eurovision itself had come to Benidorm.
with madness Bitch
Then it was time to vote. Applause rose when the jury surfaced their scores for certain acts, while those gathered at Teknohito celebrated a close call between St Pedro and Nebulossa, though some groaned at the low marks. Tension hung in the air until the last moment of the vote, and silence settled before the final points were revealed. True madness erupted when Nebulossa’s name was announced.
Following the public’s joy and the sting of some disappointments for favorites who did not win, the music played again to mark the conclusion of this edition of Benidorm Fest. It wasn’t long before the energy shifted back toward dancing as fans started moving again, and anticipation grew for Eurovision to arrive on the world stage.
[Cited from local Benidorm Fest coverage]