Marbella is about as multicultural a destination as it gets. According to the latest research, three-quarters of the inhabitants of Marbella are made up of foreigners, with the highest percentage being Brits, then Germans, Italians then Russians. While this bustling tourism trade is no doubt good for the area, it´s important that we celebrate the rich culture, concerts and festivities Spain has to offer as well as attending our own nation’s specific events. To make your summer calendar easier to plan, Marbella Rocks has rounded up the best of the best Spanish events this summer to make sure you experience the true delights that the Costa del Sol has in store for us.
THE NIGHT OF SAN JUAN
It is no surprise that Spaniards love parties and any kind of fun. Therefore, the arrival of summer is accompanied by a joyous celebration. The Night of San Juan is an annual festival which takes place during the shortest night of the year on June 23rd – and this you definitely shouldn’t miss.
The Spanish culture is particularly rich and the Night of San Juan is a living proof of this variety. Every city and every picturesque village keeps miscellaneous traditions that are part and parcel of this fabulous evening. However, water and fire are the basic elements as it is believed that these counterparts create a mythical connection. Fire and burning of “júas” (rag dolls) symbolise the disappearance of bad and negative energy. People jump over a bonfire, burn something old and personal to chase away bad spirits or even cross-burning embers to purify their souls. The water element cannot be missed out – after all it is the best symbol of purification and renewal. It is believed that taking a swim in the sea during the San Juan Night will make your three wishes come true.
San Juan is fabulously great celebration on a beach that is roaring with bonfires, cheerful voices and tinkling glasses. As it could not be otherwise, Marbella comes to life to hold pompous parties on many beaches. El Cable and El Panillo are of special importance during this night as friends and families gather there to welcome summer with their open arms. If you prefer to celebrate in a trendy bar or club, you can visit Heaven, Sonora, Estrella del Mar or Purobeach Marbella for a good night out.
STARLITE FESTIVAL
Marbella stands for sun, white-sand beaches, great weather, delicious food, refreshing drinks and for… Starlite Festival. For those few who have never heard about this incredible music venue, here is a short introduction. Taking place from July 18th to August 22nd in an open-air amphitheatre in La Cantera de Marbella, this highlight of the Spanish summer season is a must for everyone who enjoys good music and a unique atmosphere.
Starlite Festival has a thirty-year long tradition established by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, Julio Iglesias and Plácido Domingo, who decided to join their talents and to hold a music festival that would later gain an international fame. There is no wonder that this breathtaking event is stuffed with both international and local superstars. Lenny Kravitz, Lionel Richie, Anastacia, Ricky Martin, Tom Jones, Andrea Bocelli, Alejandro Sanz, Melendi, Ana Belén and Víctor Manuel and Julio Iglesias will fill the stages in 2015, just to name a few of the talents. The Village People were announced as a summer spectacle just as we were going to press too!
However, the Starlite Festival is not just about great music. The event is accompanied by fashion shows, cinema premiers, art exhibitions, huge parties and of course by gastronomic delights based on the best of the Spanish cuisine. To improve education possibilities, health and living conditions of families without means, the Starlite Gala has been established. Each year many international celebrities, headed by Antonio Banderas, arrive in Marbella to support this philanthropic event.
If you are planning to spend your holidays in sunny Marbella or just don’t know yet what to do from 18th July to 22nd August, the choice is very easy. Who could miss a month full of fun, celebrities, catwalks, parties, great drinks and splendid food?
LA TOMATINO
If you´re after a different slice of Spanish culture, La Tomatino, billed as “the world´s largest food fight” may be your thing! Every year, on the last Wednesday of August, a tomato food fight festival breaks out in the streets of a small town known as Buñol, located near Valencia.
It is not fully known how the festival originated. Some possible theories on how the Tomatina began in 1945 include a practical joke on a bad musician, an accidental lorry spillage or the most popularly believed theory that the event started as an anti-Franco protest.
All the festivities kick off at around 11am, when 140 tonnes of tomatoes are trucked in to the ‘Plaza del Pueblo’ ready for the 30,000 plus visitors to grab and throw in the battle. Technically, the food fight can only begin when one courageous person has successfully climbed the soap-covered pole known as the Palojabón, to retrieve the ham. However, this challenging task is not always successfully completed, causing the battle to start regardless! Once the water canon has been fired, the carnage ensues and it’s every man for himself. If being covered in tomato slop isn’t really your thing, this week-long festival offers other exciting attractions to suit all types of visitors to Buñol, including paella cook-offs, parades, fireworks, music and dancing. Expect drama, chaos and an amazing atmosphere in the streets of this small Valencian town!
MIJAS ROCKS
Mijas Rocks is a brand new rock festival for the south of Spain with iconic groups incorporating the best rock & roll and indie music from both Spain and the U.K. John Wood, production manager for this event has an impressive profile of working with an amazing array of talent such as Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene and many more. You can expect nothing less of this amazing standard of talent in the line-up. Working in conjunction are co-founder and successful business entrepreneur Carl Wileman and Mark Smith, owner of ‘The Nutty Bar & Nutty Bar Promotions’. Mark also has an extensive background with music, once being a runner on tour with the famous band Madness. This three-day event, commencing on the 29th May, gets off with a bang with the world-renowned The Christians, Northside, Stone Foundation, Space, Steve Craddock, The Lost Boys, The Arkanes, The Universal, Trio Valore, Hurricane 1 and many more exciting bands.
Festival-goers can expect a fabulous weekend of music, great camping facilities, food and refreshment facilities and to top it off in fabulous weather in idyllic surroundings accessible from Malaga Airport, Gibraltar and close to Marbella. This is an event rock fans cannot miss!
FESTIVAL OF THE MOORISH MOON
Every September the picturesque village of Guaro, on the Costa del Sol near Ronda, takes us back to Andalucia’s rich historical past influenced by Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures via The Festival of the Moorish Moon. As part of this tradition, the entire village is lit up by over 25,000 candles enchanting all the 50,000 visitors that have travelled from afar to visit this unique and enchanting festival. Visitors to the festival will be spoilt for choice from an array of artisans selling wares such as jewellery, clothes, sweet Moorish cakes and handicrafts. There are also many acts, both musical and dance, to entertain visitors. Over the years, the festival has become increasingly popular, attracting some big names in the Hispanic music industry such as the late Paco de Lucia, Antonio Orozco and Chambao, to name just a few. Boasting the second largest open-air auditorium in the province, it seats a massive 1600 people. This coming September, the Festival of the Moorish Moon is expected to be even bigger and better than previous years, although the line-up of acts has yet to be announced.
MARBELLA ART FAIR
Marbella becomes a meeting point for art lovers, collectors and artists from all over the world as it hosts its inaugural international art fair from July 30th till August 3rd. The Marbella Congress, Fairs and Exhibitions Centre has been chosen as the premier venue for the Modern and Contemporary Art Show 2015 that will gather breathtaking pieces from more than 50 galleries from around the world.
In the words of its chairman, Alejandro Zaia, “Marbella is one of the most relevant places of European summer. It gathers a large number of European visitors, but also from places such as Russia and the Middle East, and represents a unique opportunity to establish an international art fair with the excellence and quality deserved both by the city and its visitors.” So if you enjoy exceptional art, this event will surely not disappoint you! The Town Council of Marbella is supporting the art show initiative this summer.
ARREBATE IN MALAGA
Charismatic Javier Lebandón, also known by his artistic name El Arrebate, will fill the stage in Malaga on the 25th of July. Born in Sevilla, Javier started his career in 2001 with the release of his first album Poquito a poco. Immediately after that, he became famous all over Spain, giving concerts in every Spanish corner. His last but not least album Campamento Labandón first saw the light of day in 2012 and gained many positive responses not only because of its catchy lyrics but also for the Arrebato’s incredible musical expression. The Teatro Cervantes in Malaga will be full of rumba-pop, flamenco and of the Andalusian rock that will recharge your batteries with energy for the rest of the year!
PABLO ALBORÁN
Pablo Alborán was born in Malaga in 1989 and he wrote his first song at the age of 12. His whole life is connected with music, however, he had to wait for his success in 2011 when he released his first album called simply Pablo Alborán. His song Solamente Tú ruled the Spanish charts for long six weeks, assuring everyone that Pablo is an exceptional talent with great voice. Accompanied by his guitar, Pablo continued to write songs that overwhelmed not only Spain but also international radios mainly in Latin America. Hits such as Miedo, Pérdoname or El Beso have had millions of hits on YouTube. Pablo returns to his beloved Malaga on the 5th of June 2015 within his tour Terral. There is nothing better than listening to his romantic songs while watching the Andalusian sunset.
JOAN MANUEL SERRAT
This talented artist will perform in Malaga on July 10th shortly after midnight. This great musician and brilliant poet is a perennial star on the world music scene. Serrat is not only an extraordinary singer but also performer, songwriter and recording artist. His albums such as Dedicado a Antonio Machado, Poeta or Mediterráneo brought him immediate fame.
In 2008 he joined with Joaquin Sabina to release an album called Dos Pájaros de un Tiro as they both find inspiration from famous poets to create timeless lyrical songs. Shakira describes this musician the best: “Joan Manuel has become a true symbol for freedom, coherence, quality, and perfect use of our language, and a reference that we all have in reaching our goals”. So you better buy the tickets now as I am sure the Auditorio Municipal de Malaga will be full of his fans!
MARBELLA BEACH CLUBS
Marbella is famous for its beautiful beach clubs. Nikki Beach Club is definitely one of the “sexiest coastal resorts” in Marbella and even in the world. Its concept is a perfect mixture of fun, music, gastronomy, relaxation, fashion and art. It is a special approach to life that you will fall in love with. The quality of services is excellent, the atmosphere is alluring and the amount of fun is enormous. Close your eyes for a minute and imagine a crystal-clear water swimming pool surrounded by white sun beds, palm trees, chill out music, a mojito in your hand and a delicious meal on its way. That is Nikki Beach! As it could not be otherwise, there are fancy parties held in the club during the whole summer season. One of them is the August Yacht Party that is unquestionably one of the best events on the coast. When Nikki Beach throws a party with live music, drinks and A-list superstars, it cannot be missed. If you are around on the 5th of August, don’t forget to join the fun. Other fantastic beach clubs in and around Marbella include Ocean Club, Puro Beach, Plaza Beach, Funky Buddha Beach and La Sala by the Sea. You are spoilt for choice on this one! Check out our May Bank Holiday Weekender feature telling you the best parties on at these venues this month.
