Benicàssim Christmas Charity Market

The Benicàssim Christmas Charity Market (Mercadillo Navideño Solidario) sets up once a year in December on Carrer Sant Tomàs, in front of the Santo Tomás de Villanueva church. Organised by the parish group Grup Viure since 1991, this is one of Benicàssim's longest-running community events. The market runs from 10:00 to 20:00 and all proceeds go to international development projects. Both cash and card payments are accepted.

What makes this market different from other street markets in Benicàssim is its charitable focus. Recent editions have raised funds for a medical centre in Ghana through the organisation Youcanyolé, with past projects spanning Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, India, and Syria.

What you'll find

Stalls sell handmade Christmas crafts, jewellery, clothing, flowers, and sustainable local products. Everything is donated or sold at charity prices. Free entertainment runs throughout the day, including traditional dancing, magic shows, gymnastics exhibitions, and choir performances, making it a good outing for families with children.

How to get to Benicàssim Christmas Charity Market

The market sets up on Carrer Sant Tomàs, 72, right in the centre of Benicàssim. It's a short walk from anywhere in town. Public parking is available nearby, though spaces fill up quickly on market day.

Where to stay in Benicasim

Benicàssim is a small resort town, so staying close to the seafront or the old town puts you within easy reach of the market and everything else. Try Town Centre or look for a hotel along the beachfront strip, where most of the accommodation is concentrated.

If you want something specific, Hotel Intur Orange is a reliable choice with good access to the town, and Hotel Voramar sits right by the sea and has a classic feel that suits a winter break well.

What day is the Benicàssim Christmas Charity Market?

The Benicàssim Christmas Charity Market runs once a year in December, usually on a Sunday in the middle of the month. The exact date changes annually, so check the Benicàssim town hall website beforehand. In 2025 the market ran on Sunday 14 December, from 10:00 to 20:00, on Carrer Sant Tomàs.

Do I need cash at the Benicàssim Christmas Charity Market?

No, you don't need cash at the Benicàssim Christmas Charity Market, since stalls take both cash and debit cards. Bringing some cash is still useful for the smaller stalls selling handicrafts, jewellery, and flowers, where a quick cash payment at charity prices is simpler than card.

Where do the proceeds go?

All money raised at the Benicàssim Christmas Charity Market goes to international development projects chosen by the parish group Grup Viure, which has organised the market since 1991. Recent editions have funded a medical centre in Meyikpor, Ghana, run by Youcanyolé, with past projects supporting communities in Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, India, and Syria.