What's On in Sabinillas & Manilva: Fiestas, Markets & Events

On Twelfth Night the Three Kings ride through town on floats, throwing sweets to the children lining the streets. In Spain this — not Christmas Eve — is when the gifts arrive, so it is a magical evening for families.

Costumes, satirical chirigota singing groups and noisy street parades brighten the last stretch of winter, in the Andalusian carnival tradition made famous just along the coast in Cádiz.

Andalucía's most solemn and spectacular week: hooded processions carry enormous, candlelit floats through the streets to drums and incense. Nearby Málaga's Holy Week is one of the most famous in Spain.

The summer solstice is welcomed with bonfires all along the beach and a midnight swim for luck. It is the biggest beach night of the year — music, food and fires from dusk until the early hours.

The patron saint of fishermen is carried from the church down to the harbour and out onto the water on a decorated fishing boat, followed by a flotilla of small craft — Sabinillas at its most traditional and heartfelt.

Manilva's patron saint fiesta, up in the village: a brass charanga through the streets at 08:00, a sung mass in the Iglesia de Santa Ana in the evening, the image of Santa Ana carried in procession, then a concert and dancing on Calle Mar. Ten minutes inland from Sabinillas.

The whole town dresses in white and the beach fills with candles, torches, fire shows and music under the July full moon. Family-friendly and unmistakably Sabinillas — one of the loveliest nights of the summer.

Manilva's traditional summer fair — casetas, sevillanas, live bands, a funfair and food stalls over several days, up in the village above the coast.

One of Andalucía's biggest city fairs, about an hour up the coast: a daytime feria in the old town and a huge night fairground for nine days. An easy, spectacular day (and night) trip.

Sabinillas' own patron saint fiesta: a brass charanga through the streets at 08:00, a sung mass in the evening, the image of San Luis carried in procession, then music and dancing on Plaza Vicente Espinel until late. The concert nights are usually staged on the nearest weekend.

Flamenco nights on Calle Mar up in Manilva pueblo: the street is dressed for the occasion and the singing and dancing start around 21:30 and run late. Free, and far more local than anything staged on the coast.

Manilva's grape harvest festival, up in the village: the grape offering and the contest for the heaviest bunch on the Saturday, then horses, flamenco and the barefoot pisa de la uva with the first must of the year on the Sunday evening.

Ronda's great September feria, when the whole town dresses in Goya-era costume: lace mantillas, riders in short embroidered jackets, horse parades and casetas. About 1.5-2 hours up into the mountains.

Gibraltar turns out in red and white for its national day: a rally in Casemates Square from the morning, street parties through the afternoon and a concert at night. Thirty-five minutes down the coast, and a public holiday there, so the shops are shut.

The seafront promenade travels back a few centuries for one long weekend: costumed traders, hand-forged crafts, themed street food, falconry and fire shows between Plaza de los Maestros and the Colonia. Free to wander, and best after dark once the torches are lit.

A summer evening market right on the seafront: street food, local crafts and live music, perfect for a stroll after the beach when the heat of the day has passed.

The seafront paseo fills with stalls selling fruit and vegetables, clothes, shoes and household bits — a relaxed local morning market.

The biggest market in the area, along the seafront: fresh produce, artisan oils and cheeses, jewellery and crafts. Come early, then stay for a coffee on the paseo.