JANUARY & FEBRUARY (Winter)

For the Children

• January 1st – The New Year's Dive
  • Location: Almuñécar (Playa San Cristóbal) & Torre del Mar (Playa de Poniente).
  • Description: A freezing cold but highly festive tradition to start the year. Children (often dressed up as Santa Claus or their favorite superheroes) run into the Mediterranean Sea together with their parents at the stroke of noon to kick off the new year in a fresh way. There is lively music on the beach and warm hot chocolate waiting for everyone afterwards.
  • Time: 12:00 PM.
  • Price: Free.
• January 5th – Cabalgata de Reyes Magos (Three Kings Parade)
  • Description: This is hands down the most important and magical day of the year for Spanish children. The grand parade route follows the Three Kings as they travel across the coast from east to west:
  • Nerja: Arrival by boat at the iconic Balcón de Europa at 4:00 PM, followed by a beautiful parade with majestic floats winding through the town center. Free.
  • Málaga City & Center: One of the largest and most spectacular parades in all of Spain. Complete theatrical performances on wheels move through Calle Larios and the Paseo del Parque, with over 10,000 kilos of sweets thrown into the crowds. Start: 6:00 PM. Free.
  • Fuengirola & La Cala de Mijas: In Fuengirola, the Kings make a spectacular arrival by helicopter at the Elola Stadium at 4:00 PM, after which the main parade starts at 5:00 PM heading towards the wider avenues. In La Cala de Mijas, a more intimate and charming procession starts from the Cala Boulevard at 5:30 PM. Free.
  • Marbella & Puerto Banús: Beautifully decorated floats depart from Avenida Severo Ochoa in Marbella and pass by the luxury marina of Puerto Banús. Start: 6:00 PM. Free.
  • Estepona Center & Sabinillas/Manilva: The parade winds through the flower-filled streets of Estepona (Avenida de España) and concludes in the traditional fishing village of Sabinillas on the coast of Manilva. Start: 5:00 PM. Free.
• The Whole Month of February – Children’s Carnival (Carnaval Infantil)
  • Location: Rincón de la Victoria & Torremolinos (Plaza Costa del Sol).
  • Description: Fun-filled children's carnival celebrations featuring grand costume competitions on the central town squares, large bouncy castles, and face-painting stands where children can completely transform themselves for the festivities.
  • Time: From 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
  • Price: Free.

For the Adults

• January 7th to February 28th – Winter Rebajas (The Great Winter Sale)
  • Location: Málaga Center (Calle Larios), Elviria (local boutiques) & Marbella (La Cañada Shopping Mall).
  • Description: The official nationwide winter sales period. Top international brands and luxury designer boutiques slash their prices by up to 70%, making it a paradise for shopping enthusiasts.
  • Time: From 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
  • Price: Access is Free (Purchases are paid).
• Mid-February – Carnival of Málaga & The Coast
  • Location: Málaga Center, Benalmádena (Arroyo de la Miel) & San Pedro de Alcántara.
  • Description: Vibrant street festivals filled with humor, music, and the famous chirigotas (satirical singing groups). In Málaga, the celebrations culminate on the final Sunday with the traditional 'Entierro de la Boquerón' (Burial of the Anchovy) on Malagueta Beach, where a giant homemade effigy is burned on a massive bonfire.
  • Time: Street festivities start from 1:00 PM; evening stage shows continue until 2:00 AM.
  • Price: Free.
• Winter Months (Every Day) – Winter Golf Circuit
  • Location: Mijas Golf, Cabopino Golf, Atalaya Isdabe & Guadalmina Golf.
  • Description: While Northern Europe freezes under winter weather, the winter season on the Costa del Sol is the absolute peak high season for golfers thanks to the glorious blue skies and mild average temperatures of around 18°C.
  • Time: Golf courses are open from 7:30 AM until sunset.
  • Price: Paid (Green fees vary per golf course).

MARCH, APRIL & MAY (Spring)

For the Children

• March (Every Day) – Prehistoric Adventure
  • Location: Caves of Nerja (Cuevas de Nerja).
  • Description: An awe-inspiring journey deep underground. Children can learn all about ancient cave drawings and admire the largest stalactite in the world. Special fairy-tale-themed audio guides are available to keep young explorers fully engaged.
  • Time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
  • Price: Paid.
• April (Spring Freedom) – Paloma Park
  • Location: Benalmádena (Parque de la Paloma).
  • Description: A massive green oasis right in the middle of the city where hundreds of rabbits, peacocks, ducks, and chickens roam completely free among the visitors. It features fantastic large playgrounds and lovely green lawns for family picnics.
  • Time: Open from 09:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
  • Price: Free.
• May (Every Day) – Selwo Aventura Safari
  • Location: Selwo (Estepona, near La Resina and Cancelada).
  • Description: A gigantic African-style safari park nestled in the hills of Estepona. Children ride in open-top 4x4 trucks to see giraffes, hippos, and elephants up close, and can walk across thrilling, massive suspension bridges spanning deep canyons.
  • Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • Price: Paid.

For the Adults

• March / April – Semana Santa (Holy Week)
  • Description: The most breathtaking, historic, and deeply moving religious tradition in Andalusia.
  • Málaga City: Gigantic, heavy silver and wooden floats (tronos) are carried through the historic streets by thousands of penitents, accompanied by majestic live brass bands and haunting flamenco chants (saetas) sung from balconies. Start: from 4:00 PM until deep into the night (4:00 AM). Free.
  • Mijas Pueblo & Marbella (Casco Antiguo): A very intimate, quiet, and serene version of Holy Week. Here, the heavy floats scrape directly against the white-washed walls of the incredibly narrow cobblestone streets. Start: 8:00 PM. Free.
• May – Gastronomy & Yacht Season Launch
  • Location: Puerto Banús, Cabopino Marina & Puerto de la Duquesa (Manilva/Sabinillas).
  • Description: The official opening of the luxurious summer yachting season. The waterfront terraces fill up quickly for the popular Spanish 'tardeo' (afternoon drinks and socializing in the sun) featuring live lounge music and high-end seafood dining.
  • Time: All day long, peaking from 4:00 PM onwards.
  • Price: Free access to the marinas, food and drinks are Paid.

JUNE, JULY & AUGUST (Summer)

For the Children

• June 23rd – Noche de San Juan (St. John's Eve)
  • Location: The entire coastline from Torre del Mar to Manilva (including Riviera del Sol, Calahonda, Costa Bella, and El Rosario).
  • Description: The magical official start of the summer season. Massive bonfires are lit all over the beaches. Children build traditional rag dolls out of paper and straw (júas) to burn in the fires. At exactly midnight (12:00 AM), everyone runs into the sea to wash their feet for good luck and to cleanse the soul.
  • Time: Activities start around 8:00 PM, with the main climax at midnight.
  • Price: Free.
• July & August – Costa Water Park (Inflatable Water Parks)
  • Location: Floating on the sea just off the coast at Fuengirola (Los Boliches), Elviria, Bahía de Marbella & Estepona Center.
  • Description: Massive floating inflatable obstacle courses on the open sea featuring fun water slides, climbing walls, and trampolines located right off the beach. Life jackets are strictly mandatory for all participants.
  • Time: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
  • Price: Paid (Available by the hour or as a full-day pass).
• August – Dolphin and Whale Watching
  • Location: Fuengirola Port & Puerto Banús.
  • Description: Head out into the open sea towards the Strait of Gibraltar on a fast speedboat or a large catamaran to spot pods of wild dolphins jumping out of the water right next to the boat.
  • Time: Departures typically at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM.
  • Price: Paid.

For the Adults

• July & August – Starlite Occident Festival
  • Location: Marbella (Nagüeles, just above Nueva Andalucía).
  • Description: The most exclusive boutique festival in Europe, built inside an open-air stone quarry with incredible acoustics and a mesmerizing light show. World-famous international stars perform live for a very intimate audience.
  • Time: Doors open at 8:00 PM, live concerts start at 10:15 PM.
  • Price: Paid (Tickets must be booked well in advance).
• Mid-August – Feria de Málaga (Málaga August Fair)
  • Location: Málaga Center (During the day) & Real de la Feria kermess grounds (At night).
  • Description: A week-long, non-stop street party. During the day, the entire city center dances under the decorations of Calle Larios with live flamenco music and sweet, chilled Cartojal wine. At night, the party moves to a massive fairground outside the city filled with rides and hundreds of traditional party tents (casetas).
  • Time: Day Fair (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM); Night Fair (9:00 PM - 6:00 AM).
  • Price: Admission to the city and all party tents is Free.
• All Summer Long – The Exclusive Beach Clubs
  • Location: Los Monteros (La Cabane), Torre/Elviria (Nikki Beach) & Guadalmansa (Salduna Beach).
  • Description: Ultra-luxurious beach parties featuring world-class international DJs, live acts (such as live saxophonists and violinists), luxury daybeds, and sophisticated fine dining right next to the sea.
  • Time: 11:00 AM until midnight.
  • Price: Paid (Advance reservations are strictly required).

SEPTEMBER to DECEMBER (Autumn & Winter)

For the Children

• September – Selwo Marina & Dolphins
  • Location: Benalmádena.
  • Description: The only dolphinarium located in Andalusia. Children can enjoy spectacular dolphin and sea lion shows, feed real penguins in their icy indoor habitat, and admire exotic tropical birds up close.
  • Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • Price: Paid.
• October 31st – Grand Halloween Fiestas
  • Location: Marbella (Parque de la Represa), San Pedro de Alcántara & Estepona Center.
  • Description: Local municipalities go all out for Halloween. Public parks are transformed into "Pasajes del Terror" (haunted walkthrough scare mazes), with candy stalls, face painters, and massive costume parades.
  • Time: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
  • Price: Free.
• December – Christmas Villages & Playmobil Expo
  • Location: Fuengirola (Plaza de la Constitución) & Estepona Center.
  • Description: Cozy, traditional wooden Christmas markets specially designed for the whole family to enjoy. In Estepona, you can visit a massive, moving nativity scene built entirely out of tens of thousands of Playmobil figures inside the cultural center.
  • Time: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
  • Price: Free.

For the Adults

• First Weekend of September – Fiesta de la Vendimia (Wine Harvest Festival)
  • Location: Manilva (Plaza de la Vendimia) & Sabinillas.
  • Description: A traditional wine harvest festival celebrating the local grape bounty. The ultimate highlight is the 'pisada de la uva' (the live grape treading by locals in traditional dress on the main square). The very first, freshly pressed sweet grape juice is then handed out completely free to all spectators.
  • Time: From 1:00 PM until the early hours of the morning.
  • Price: Free.
• October – Feria de San Pedro de Alcántara
  • Location: San Pedro de Alcántara (Fairgrounds).
  • Description: The very last major traditional Andalusian fair and feria of the year. Deeply loved by locals for its authentic Spanish atmosphere, gorgeous Andalusian horse shows, and excellent traditional tapas pavilions.
  • Time: Afternoon fair from 1:00 PM; night fair from 9:00 PM until 3:00 AM.
  • Price: Free.
• Late November to December 31st – The Calle Larios Christmas Light Show
  • Location: Málaga City & Center.
  • Description: A world-famous winter holiday spectacle. The main shopping avenue of Málaga is transformed into a giant, glowing cathedral of light. Three times every evening, the thousands of lights perform a synchronized dance show set to epic Christmas music. A true bucket-list experience in Europe.
  • Time: Daily sound and light shows at 6:30 PM, 8:00 PM, and 10:00 PM.
  • Price: Free.