The Luna Mora Festival: Two Weekends of True Andalusian Culture

Luna Mora de Guaro 2012

25.000 candles light up the town...

Once again, the white village of Guaro is ready to welcome visitors from all over the Costa del Sol (and the rest of Spain) for its spectacular Luna Mora Festival. Showcasing the diversity of Andalusian music and culture, this unique festival takes place on the 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th of September and promises visitors an impressive programme of events including live music, dance, street performers and a large selection of workshops to participate in.

The previous edition of the Festival attracted more than 50,000 visitors, a figure which will undoubtedly continue to grow as word spreads of this beautiful event which is known for the 25.000 candles which light up its streets come nightfall.

The daily programme of events is extensive; we’ve highlighted some of our favourites below:  (more…)

The Grand Sand: The 1st International Sand Sculpture Festival

International Sand Sculpture Festival Marbella

The ‘Levante’ Beach in Puerto Banús (Marbella) is hosting a very interesting event: The 1st International Sand Sculpture Festival.

This unique festival started on the 18th July and will continue until the autumn (14th October). More than 3000 people have already had the pleasure of seeing these impressive sand sculptures made by some of the most important artists from Spain, India, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Italy, Ireland, Poland and Germany; amongst them are artists such as Spain’s Etual Ojeda and India’s Sudarsan Pattnaik.

These amazing sand sculptures are between three and six metres in height and are distributed over a1600 square metreplot. One of the most eagerly awaited sculptures is the one that is being made as a tribute to the Spanish Football team after record breaking European Championship win; images of Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres, Jordi Alba and company will be featured on this Marbella beach until early October.

Visitors to the festival will also be able to see and take part in other activities such as competitions for the young art students, sand sculpture lessons and children’s competitions.

The Festival is open from 11am to 1am every day and the entrance prices are as follows:

Adults: €5

Children under 17 and over 65’s: €3

Families: €12 (For families with children under 12 years)

Free entrance: Disabled visitors and children under 4 years of age.

Benalmadena Celebrates the Virgen de la Cruz 2012 Fair

Feria Virgen de la Cruz - Benalmadena

Poster for the Virgen de la Cruz Fair

There are just a few days to go until the official opening of one of the most important festivities in Benalmadena’s calendar: The Fair in honour of the ‘Virgen de la Cruz’.

The town hall has prepared a full programme of events for all tastes and ages, including religious acts, fun activities and sports events. Although the official start date for the fair is the 14th August, the festivities start this Friday the 10th August with the ‘Verbena de Santo Domingo’ (A street fair) and the election of the queen’s of the fair in the Auditorium.

On Sunday the 12th August the traditional ‘Romería’ (A procession involving horses, carts and beautifully dressed locals) takes place from 10:30 am in the ‘Plaza de España’. The whole procession will make its way down to the Finca Casablanca Rustic Park where the town hall will prepare a large – and free – paella for all participants and spectators to enjoy. (more…)

8 Great Reasons to Visit this Year’s Malaga Fair

Malaga Fair 2012There’s just over a week to go until the start of the Costa del Sol’s most popular event of the year: The Málaga Fair (2012).

This year there will be lots of new surprises, extended hours (to 7pm) and the introduction of new areas and spaces such as the impressive Muelle Uno which has received lots of great publicity this year.

There’s lots to do during the Malaga Fair and to detail all here would be practically impossible. Instead, we’ve highlighted 8 of the most interesting events and activities you might like to see during these crazy festivities. Here goes… (more…)

The Sohail Castle Hosts the 5th International Beer Festival

Tomorrow (1st August 2012) sees the start of the 5th edition of Fuengirola’s popular International Beer Festival which will once again be held at the spectacular Sohail Castle.

Following the success of last years Festival which managed to attract more than 100.000 visitors, this year’s edition promises to be even more successful. Not only has the length of the Festival been extended from 10 to 15 days; visitors will also be able to enjoy a fantastic selection of 20 different beers from countries such as Belgium, Ireland, Great Britain,Australia and France!

The stars of the Festival are the great Bavarian beers which will be served in traditional 1 litre jars. To combat hunger, nothing better than some tasty German sausages and other typical dishes which will also be available. As mentioned earlier, if you’re not too keen on German beers, you’ll have a choice of over 20 other beers from all over the world 🙂

Another of the main attractions this year will be the large chillout terrace  which will be set up on the clearing just outside the spectacular medieval fortress. Here you’ll be able to try delicious cocktails or tropical fruit juices and sample delicious dishes from countries such as India, Australia and Argentina!

Although the International Beer Festival has an obvious protagonist, it really is a true family event. Every day there will be live music, dj’s, gogos, children´s entertainment with clowns and a bouncing castle, all in a truly spectacular settling with breathtaking views over Fuengirola and the Coast.

Entrance to the Festival is free and the opening times are as follows:

From the 1st to the 15th August 2012

Monday to Friday: 7pm to 2am

Saturday and Sunday: 12pm to 2am

 

 

Mijas Racecourse Hosts Beer Festival

Fiesta de la cerceza Mijas

From today (12th July) and until the 29th July, the Mijas Racecourse will host its very own version of the Oktoberfest.

You’ll be able to enjoy traditional blonde and wheat beers imported specially from Germany, all served in half litre a one litre jars as well as some delicious typically german dishes. Live shows and music will complete a full entertainment programme which you won’t want to miss.

The organisers have gone to great lengths to ensure the Racecourse resembles a true Bavarian Beer Fest, I guess we’ll have to take a drive up and see if they’ve done a good job 😉

The Beer Festival will be open to the public every day from 7pm to 3am. Entrance is free with the exception of the 14th, 21st and 28th July as there are evening horse races programmed on these dates. If you’d like to go along on race days, the price is €5 for adults; children and pensioners can watch the races for free.

The Mijas Racecourse is located approximately 25 minutes drive from Sunset Beach Club. Just take the coast road to Fuengirola and continue on the A7 road towardsMarbella. When you reach the Bil-Bil castle on the western side of Fuengirola, turn right and follow the signs for the ‘Hipodromo Mijas/Costa del Sol’.