Marbella’s event calendar runs year-round, anchored by the massive San Bernabe Feria in June and the summer-long Starlite Festival that draws international music headliners from July through August. Beyond these headliners, the city hosts everything from an international film festival to weekly summer concerts in the Old Town. Most events are free to attend; ticketed ones range from €15 for local performances to €150 for Starlite front-section seats. For a complete overview, see our Marbella travel guide.
Marbella Events and Festivals: Spring (March to May)
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
March or April (varies by the liturgical calendar). Marbella’s Holy Week processions are smaller and less intense than Seville or Malaga, making them more accessible for visitors. Local brotherhoods (hermandades) carry elaborate religious floats (pasos) through the Old Town, accompanied by brass bands and penitents in traditional robes. The most significant processions happen on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday evenings, starting from the Iglesia de la Encarnacion on Plaza de la Iglesia. Streets around the Old Town close to traffic from 18:00. Free to watch from the sidelines. See our Marbella weather by month for more.
Feria de Abril (Marbella April Fair)
Late April or early May, exact dates announced in March. Marbella’s version of the Seville April Fair takes place at the fairgrounds (Recinto Ferial) near La Canada shopping center. Expect casetas (decorated private tents, most requiring invitations from members), a public caseta run by the town hall with free entry, flamenco performances, horse-and-carriage parades along the fairground paths, and a funfair area for children. The public caseta serves rebujito (manzanilla sherry mixed with lemon soda, €3-4) and fried fish. Dress code: many locals wear traditional Andalusian attire (trajes de flamenca for women, short jackets and hats for men), but tourists in regular clothes are welcome. The fair runs for 6 days, Tuesday to Sunday, with the main activity from 14:00 until late. Free entry to the public areas. See our best time to visit Marbella for more.
Marbella Events and Festivals: Summer (June to August)
San Bernabe Feria
Early June (in 2026: June 8-14). Marbella’s biggest annual event, a week-long fair honoring the city’s patron saint, San Bernabe. The action splits between two locations: daytime activities in the Old Town (Plaza de los Naranjos and surrounding streets) with free concerts, street performances, and traditional food stalls; nighttime events move to the fairground (Recinto Ferial de la Canada) with amusement rides, carnival games, and dozens of casetas. The opening ceremony (pregón) on the first evening features a fireworks display over the beach. The Romeria pilgrimage to the Ermita de San Bernabe in the hills happens on the Sunday. Free entry, though casetas may require invitations. Public buses run extended hours from the center to the fairground. See our things to do in Marbella for more.
Starlite Festival
July and August annually. Starlite is a 50-night music and arts festival held in an open-air amphitheater carved into the Nagueles quarry, 3km north of Marbella center. The natural rock walls create exceptional acoustics. Past performers include Enrique Iglesias, Luis Fonsi, Tom Jones, Andrea Bocelli, and major international DJs. The venue fits about 2,500 people, creating an intimate atmosphere compared to arena shows. Tickets range from €40 for back-section seats to €150+ for front-section with dinner packages. The VIP Áurea Lounge offers pre-show dining and premium views (€200+). The site includes pop-up restaurants and bars open from 20:00 before shows. Book tickets at starlitefestival.com; shows sell out weeks in advance for major names. Dress code is smart-casual (no beachwear). Parking on site costs €10. See our best neighborhoods in Marbella for more.
Nights of the Castle (Noches del Castillo)
Weekly throughout July and August, typically Thursday evenings. The castle walls of Marbella’s 9th-century Alcazaba, adjacent to the Old Town on Calle Portada, convert into a venue for live music performances, ranging from flamenco to jazz and classical guitar. The courtyard setting with lit castle walls creates a dramatic backdrop. Shows start at 22:00. Tickets €10-20 at the door or via marbella.es. Capacity around 300, arrive 30 minutes early for good seats. Bar serves drinks and light snacks. See our where to stay in Marbella for more.
Marbella Events and Festivals: Autumn (September to November)
Marbella International Film Festival
Early October (typically the first week). A 5-day film festival screening independent features, documentaries, and short films at venues across Marbella, including the Teatro Ciudad de Marbella and the Palacio de Congresos. The festival leans toward European and Latin American cinema with a growing industry presence. Most screenings are in original language with Spanish subtitles. Tickets €5-10 per screening; festival passes available. Red-carpet opening gala on the first night at the Teatro Ciudad. Full program published on marbellafilmfestival.com by mid-September. See our Marbella travel tips for more.
Dia de la Hispanidad (National Day)
October 12, a national holiday across Spain. In Marbella, the day is marked by a military parade along the Paseo Maritimo near the town center and a flag-raising ceremony at the Town Hall. Most shops close, though beachfront restaurants and chiringuitos remain open and are busier than a typical weekday. A good day for the beach rather than shopping.
Marbella Events and Festivals: Winter (December to February)
Christmas Lights and Market
Early December to January 6. Marbella’s Christmas decorations rival any European capital: the Paseo Maritimo is lit with thousands of LED lights, and the Parque de la Alameda hosts a Christmas market (Mercado Navideno) with wooden stalls selling crafts, mulled wine (€3), and churros with chocolate (€4). A large nativity scene (belen) is installed in the Plaza de la Iglesia, free to view. The Three Kings parade (Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos) on the evening of January 5 brings elaborate floats, candy throwing for children, and live camels through the streets. Most bars and restaurants remain open; the beach clubs are closed.
Carnival (Carnaval)
February or early March (date varies, 40 days before Easter). Marbella’s carnival is family-oriented with a Saturday afternoon parade along the Paseo Maritimo featuring costumed groups, samba bands, and giant papier-mache figures (cabezudos). The main parade is followed by a costume contest in the Parque de la Alameda. Smaller than Cadiz or Tenerife carnivals but a fun local event. Free.
