February 13, 2026

Costa del Sol 2026

By W2SFadmin

Most of our Where to See Flamenco blog posts so far have been about shows and venues we have already experienced. This one is different. We are planning ahead for 2026 and picking out flamenco events on the Costa del Sol that we are keen to go to again this year.

Of course, Malaga is the main city on the Costa del Sol and has a deep flamenco tradition. However, there are fairs and festivities featuring flamenco all along the Costa del Sol.

Fabulous early summer events in June

Marbella – Feria de San Bernabe – 8 to 14 June 2026

The Feria de San Bernabe is one of the best-known ferias along the coast and is also one of the easiest to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed. During the day, the action is centred in Marbella Old Town, where locals gather for drinks, music and dancing. We love the great vibe here and being able to join in with the dancing without feeling self-conscious! There are stalls all along Avenida del Mar and festivities in the lovely shady Parque de la Alameda nearby.

At night, the feria moves to the La Canada area on the edge of town. The atmosphere changes, becoming louder, but flamenco still pops up in unexpected corners. Most events are free, and dipping in for an hour or two often works well rather than trying to stay for a full evening. But of course that is up to you. Party animals love it!

San Juan celebrations along the coast, on the night of 23 to 24 June 2026

The night of San Juan is a big celebration in many towns along the Costa del Sol, including Malaga, Marbella, Benalmadena, Torremolinos and Fuengirola. The heart of the celebration is the beach, where bonfires are lit to mark the summer solstice.

San Juan is not a flamenco festival as such, but flamenco is often part of the mix. The most famous San Juan festival on the Costa del Sol is perhaps the one in Benalmadena. Here the celebrations carry on for several days and include live music and dancing alongside the traditional fire rituals. You can expect noise, smoke and a lot of people! It is messy and joyful, with a great atmosphere and it is lots of fun.

Festival de Flamenco de Malaga – Dates to be confirmed, usually late June

This is one of the most important flamenco festivals on the Costa del Sol. While dates for 2026 have not yet been confirmed, it is usually held towards the end of June. Events take place at venues such as the Auditorio Edgar Neville on the western seafront.

Highlights often include free concerts with outstanding performers, masterclasses and competitions such as Tacones del futuro (which means Future Heels). Evening performances on Calle Alcazabilla around 10 pm, with the Roman Theatre and Alcazaba Fortress lit up behind the stage, are genuinely spectacular. We make sure to arrive early to take advantage of the free seating.

High summer brings the big ferias of July and August

Estepona – Feria y Fiestas Mayores – 7 to 12 July 2026

Estepona can at times feel quite remote, almost in its own little world, and it is where we have seen some of the best flamenco on the Costa del Sol. The Feria y Fiestas Mayores begins with a parade, fireworks and the lighting up of the fairground, after which the town settles into several days of music and celebration.

Flamenco is included mostly through performances by local dance academies and small live music events. These tend to happen earlier in the evening and are very accessible, even if you do not speak Spanish. The main fairground, the Recinto Ferial, Deportivo y de Ocio, is easy to get to, and daytime visits are relaxed and family-friendly.

Malaga – Feria de Malaga – 15 to 22 August 2026

The Feria de Malaga is the biggest event of the year on the Costa del Sol and one that divides opinion. It takes place in two locations: daytime celebrations in the historic centre of Malaga and night-time festivities at the Recinto Ferial on the edge of the city.

The opening night fireworks over the Port of Malaga at midnight on 15 August are wonderful and then, for flamenco fans, daytime is where the magic happens with flamenco happening throughout the week. Pandas de verdiales, traditional singing and dancing and informal flamenco performances spill out into the streets around Calle Larios and nearby plazas. Peña Flamenca Juan Breva runs special free daily flamenco events at their historic location.

The fairground also hosts scheduled dance performances and equestrian displays, all free to enter if you arrive early enough to secure a seat. The sheer scale of the celebrations can be a little overpowering, but hang in there for an unforgettable experience!

As the year begins to wind down, a superb September feria

Torremolinos – Feria de San Miguel – 25 to 29 September 2026 (date to be confirmed)

Torremolinos has an international reputation, but its feria in honour of San Miguel retains a strong local feel. Flamenco appears alongside pop concerts and international acts, a unique mix reflecting the town itself. We tend to look out for the daytime events and smaller stages rather than the main headline shows.

Where would YOU like to see flamenco next?

Flamenco on the Costa del Sol in 2026 is not always about chasing big names or slick productions. It is about having fun, being curious and willing to wander. Some of the best moments happen away from the main stages, on side streets or in small plazas, plastic cups of wine in hand.

If you are planning a flamenco trip, our ebook Where to See Flamenco Costa del Sol offers deeper insights and ways to understand how the regional flamenco landscape works. There is so much flamenco to explore and enjoy on the Costa de Sol if you know when to come and where to linger.