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Sabinillas Beach

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

Sabinillas and Manilva keep the full Andalusian calendar — two seafront street markets every week, beach bonfires for the summer solstice, a fishermen's procession that carries the Virgen out to sea, and a beach dressed all in white under the July full moon. Here is what happens through the year, roughly when, and which are worth planning a trip around.

Coming up next

The next dated fiestas and markets in and around Sabinillas.

  • TomorrowSunday MarketJuly 5, 2026Read the full guide
  • in 3 daysFeria de Estepona (15 min away)July 7, 2026 – July 12, 2026
  • in 5 daysConcierto Banda Municipal — Plaza Los NaranjosJuly 9, 2026
  • in 6 daysFriday Street MarketJuly 10, 2026
  • in 11 daysMercado Medieval — paseo marítimoJuly 15, 2026 – July 20, 2026
  • in 12 daysVirgen del Carmen — misa & procesión marítimaJuly 16, 2026
  • in 14 daysVirgen del Carmen El Castillo — moraga & concertsJuly 18, 2026
  • in 19 daysConcierto de Profesores — El CastilloJuly 23, 2026

Fixed-date fiestas below show their next date automatically. Dates for moveable fiestas (Carnaval, Semana Santa, the ferias and the full-moon night) shift each year — we give the usual window rather than a date we can't promise.

The year in fiestas

Month by month, the celebrations that fill the Sabinillas and Manilva calendar.

Three Kings' Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes)

5 January (evening)

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.

Carnaval

February (dates vary)

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.

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

March or April (dates vary)

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.

Read the full guide

San Juan

Night of 23 June

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.

Read the full guide

Virgen del Carmen

16 July

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.

Read the full guide

Full Moon Festival (Fiesta de la Luna Llena)

Late July, around the full moon

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.

Read the full guide

Feria de Manilva

Early–mid August

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

Feria de Málaga (day trip)

Mid-August

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.

Read the full guide

Sabinillas markets: the Friday & Sunday street markets

The Sabinillas market runs twice a week — a Friday market and the big Sunday market — open-air along the seafront, plus a summer evening market by the sea. No need to plan ahead, just turn up.

Mercado del Mar

July–August, evenings

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.

Friday Street Market

Every Friday morning

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

Sunday Market

Every Sunday morning

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.

Read the full guide

What's on in Sabinillas — frequently asked questions

Come for a fiesta

Time your visit to San Juan, the Virgen del Carmen procession or the Full Moon Festival and watch it all from 30 seconds off the sand. Our sea-view apartment sits right on the Sabinillas seafront — check your dates and book direct.

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