Benidorm is preparing for one of its biggest entertainment summers yet after officially unveiling SkyFest, a huge new outdoor events venue expected to attract more than 200,000 spectators between June and September.

The new 14,000-square-metre complex, located at the Guillermo Amor Sports City in the Foietes-Colonia Madrid area of Benidorm, was presented this week during a launch event in Madrid attended by more than 400 guests from the worlds of music, tourism and entertainment.

Concerts, festivals and sporting events planned

Organisers confirmed that SkyFest will host more than 24 events throughout the summer season, ranging from concerts and festivals to comedy shows, musicals, children’s performances and sports screenings. The venue officially opens on June 28 with a charity event supporting the Centro Doble Amor association. Performers at the opening include Spanish artists David Otero and Bombai alongside broadcaster Tony Aguilar.

Among the headline events already announced are Latin Fest on July 4 and 5, Chayanne’s concert on July 24, Oro Viejo by DJ Nano on August 1 and DJ Symphonic on August 21. Organisers also confirmed comedy performances by Miguel Lago and Luis Piedrahita, family musicals including Tarzan and The Sound of Music, and large-scale sporting broadcasts such as the World Cup final screening on July 19.

Capacity of up to 25,000 people

The new venue has been designed to host events of very different sizes, with capacities ranging from 2,000 seated attendees to 25,000 people for major concerts and festivals. According to organisers, the complex includes two stages, more than 100 bathroom cabins connected to the water network, shaded cooling areas, VIP terraces, gastronomic spaces and over 100 metres of bar service. SkyFest CEO Álex Fratini described the project as an attempt to create a “reference point” for summer entertainment on the Costa Blanca, combining live music, tourism and leisure in one location.

Benidorm strengthens festival tourism appeal

Benidorm officials believe the new venue could further strengthen the city’s growing reputation as a year-round events destination. Mayor Toni Pérez attended the presentation alongside representatives from Visit Benidorm and the Generalitat Valenciana, highlighting the project’s potential economic and tourism impact for the city during the busy summer season.

With international artists, large-scale festivals and sports events already confirmed, organisers say further announcements are still expected in the coming weeks ahead of the official opening.

A traditional bakery in Dénia has launched a charity cake inspired by a three-year-old local boy living with an ultra-rare disease, with all profits going towards research and treatment.

Verdú Artesanos introduced “The best cake in the world” this week in support of Luca, a young boy diagnosed with IFAP syndrome, a condition so rare it affects around one person in a million. The initiative quickly gained attention across the Marina Alta region for combining local gastronomy with fundraising for a family facing enormous medical costs.

A cake inspired by Luca’s favourite things

The cake was created by master artisan Álvaro Verdú after speaking directly with Luca about the flavours he loved most. According to the bakery, the child requested “popcorn, caramel and a balloon,” which became the unusual inspiration behind the dessert. The result is a colourful cake designed not only as a sweet treat but also as a symbol of solidarity and hope for families living with rare diseases.

Luca’s parents have spent years trying to raise awareness of IFAP syndrome through social media and fundraising campaigns. Through their Instagram account, they document the daily challenges of the condition while also trying to connect with other affected families and researchers.

100 per cent of profits go to research

The bakery confirmed that all profits from sales of the cake will be donated directly to research and treatment linked to IFAP syndrome. The campaign also aims to expand beyond Dénia through online orders and partnerships with local restaurants and influencers supporting the cause.

According to reports, Luca’s family currently faces annual medical and research-related costs of around €70,000. Treatments involve regular visits to specialised hospitals and research institutions including centres in Valencia and Murcia. During the presentation of the initiative, Luca’s mother Cristina described the dessert as “the best cake” not simply because of its flavour, but because of “its solidarity and hope.”

Dénia rallies behind local family

The campaign has already attracted support from businesses and residents across the area, with many praising the initiative as an example of community solidarity in Dénia.

The cake is available both at Verdú Artesanos in Dénia and through a dedicated online shop serving customers across mainland Spain. The campaign will continue until June 19, with organisers hoping to raise significant funds while also increasing visibility for rare diseases that often struggle to receive public attention or institutional funding

Families in Ondara faced disruptions this week after the municipal nursery school operated under minimum services during the regional strike affecting the 0-3 education sector across the Valencian Community.

The strike, held on Wednesday, May 7, formed part of wider protests by early childhood education professionals demanding better working conditions, lower classroom ratios and more institutional support for one of the most underfunded areas of the education system.

Reduced timetable affected families

The Ondara Town Hall’s Education Department informed families that the Escoleta Infantil Municipal would remain open only during the subsidised timetable established by the Valencian regional government. The centre operated from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 5pm, while additional services including the early morning “matinera” programme and school dining service were suspended for the day.

Officials explained that these extra services are funded by the local council rather than the Generalitat Valenciana and therefore were not included in the legally required minimum service provisions during the strike. Families were left to decide whether or not to send their children to the centre under the altered conditions.

Nursery workers demand better conditions

The strike highlighted growing frustration among nursery school educators across the region. Workers and unions have argued that the current system leaves staff overstretched and underpaid, while limiting the quality of care children receive during a crucial developmental stage.

Among the main demands are reduced student-to-teacher ratios, greater public investment, more specialised support staff and the introduction of “educational pairs” in classrooms to improve attention and safety.

The mobilisation formed part of a broader regional campaign pushing for structural reforms in early childhood education, which many professionals say has long been overlooked despite its importance in child development.

Ondara staff had already raised concerns

The situation had already sparked debate locally before the strike took place. Just days earlier, workers from the municipal nursery school addressed the local council during a plenary session, raising concerns about ageing facilities, heavy workloads and emotional exhaustion among staff. The council publicly expressed support for the workers’ demands and pledged to continue advocating for improvements in the sector.

Across Spain, the strike reflected wider tensions within early childhood education. National reports suggested strong participation in the protests, with many educators warning that poor salaries and difficult working conditions are making the profession increasingly unsustainable.

For many parents in Ondara, the day served as a reminder of how dependent families are on childcare services and how disruptions in the sector quickly affect daily life, work schedules and family organisation.