10 – 12 July 2026 • Costa del Sol & Province • Tap any event for details, tickets and maps
10 – 12 July 2026 • Costa del Sol & Province • Tap any event for details, tickets and maps
Free curated guide every Wednesday — 40+ events with tickets, maps & insider tips
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Rick Astley — the voice behind "Never Gonna Give You Up" and one of pop's most enduring live performers — opens the weekend at Starlite Occident's iconic open-air quarry auditorium in Marbella. A full band, decades of hits and a genuinely joyful live show in one of Spain's most spectacular summer concert settings.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants a euphoric, sing-along Friday night — Rick Astley live is far better than people expect, and the Starlite setting is worth the ticket alone.
Los Morancos open the 101 Music Festival's bullring nights with the Málaga premiere of "Bota Antonia" — their sharp new satire in which the character Antonia founds a "common sense" party to fix the world's crises. Nearly two hours of music, choreography and parody of world leaders at the historic Malagueta bullring.
Perfect for: Comedy fans and anyone wanting a lighter night out — Los Morancos are a Spanish institution and the bullring setting adds real spectacle.
Málaga's Julio Musical series opens with the Busker String Quartet performing the music of Harry Potter inside the Alcazaba's ancient walls, reimagining John Williams' scores as if played in Hogwarts' great halls. A magical setting for a magical soundtrack — only 100 seats available, so book ahead.
Perfect for: Film score fans and families with older kids — hearing this music live inside a Moorish fortress at night is a genuinely special experience.
The 2026 edition of Porton del Jazz opens with an international jazz summit: The Blue Horse, the Valdés Brothers and vocalist Suzette Moncrief blend hard-bop tradition, sophisticated vocal blues and Afro-Cuban rhythmic complexity. Finca El Portón is a beautiful outdoor venue just inland from the coast, running four Fridays through July.
Perfect for: Serious jazz fans who want a proper club-festival atmosphere outdoors — this lineup is a genuine international jazz summit, not a background-music gig.
The Museo Picasso Málaga's summer cinema series screens Pedro Almodóvar's 1988 comedy classic, selected to complement the current Joana Vasconcelos exhibition. Ticket includes access to the exhibition from 21:00, the film in the museum garden from 22:00, and one drink at the café. Original language with Spanish subtitles.
Perfect for: Film lovers and couples looking for something different — an Almodóvar classic in the Picasso Museum garden with a glass of wine is a lovely Friday evening.
A special Pride edition of Loco Bongo's musical bingo lands in the white village of Casares — a free evening mixing bingo, comedy challenges and prizes as part of the town's Pride programme. A fun, low-key way to spend a Friday evening away from the coast.
Perfect for: Groups and families looking for free, silly fun inland — Casares' Plaza de España is a gorgeous setting for it too.
The touring "Churros con Chocolate" party stops in Torremolinos for a late-night session at Sala Centuryon — high-energy dance music, big production and a loyal LGBT+ following. One of several dates on its 2026 tour through Spain's coastal party towns.
Perfect for: Night owls wanting a proper late club night in Torremolinos — arrive after midnight for peak energy.
The Museo Carmen Thyssen's summer flamenco series returns with "Vuelta a las Raíces," performed by the Antonio de Verónica and Saray Cortés Flamenco Company in the museum's patio. The programme moves through martinete, bulerías, tangos and alegrías, with castanet and footwork solos.
Perfect for: Flamenco lovers wanting an intimate show in a beautiful museum courtyard setting.
A gastro-cultural festival celebrating Cuban heritage in Torremolinos, organised by Asociación Cubanos Unidos with the city council. Runs from 9 to 12 July with live music, DJs, folklore, workshops and Cuban gastronomy, open to all audiences from 16:00 daily.
Perfect for: Anyone wanting a free evening of Cuban music, food and atmosphere in the town centre.
Elvis Crespo — the Puerto Rican merengue icon behind global anthem "Suavemente" — makes his first appearance on the magical Starlite Occident stage. Pure energy, dance and merengue classics performed at one of Spain's most spectacular open-air venues in Marbella.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants a dance-all-night Saturday — merengue live at Starlite is infectious fun, and it works brilliantly as a warm-up before hitting Marbella's clubs.
Dutch DJ and producer Chris Stussy — one of house music's most respected tastemakers — brings his avant-garde club sound to Marbella Arena, the historic former Puerto Banús bullring turned premier concert venue. Support from Lauren Lo Sung and Laidlaw for a night of rhythm, energy and world-class production.
Perfect for: House and techno fans wanting a proper club-scale night — Marbella Arena has become the coast's go-to spot for serious electronic bookings.
Guitarricadelafuente brings his "Spanish Leather!" tour to the 101 Music Festival's second bullring night — flamenco-tinged singer-songwriting that has made him one of his generation's most captivating voices. A more intimate, musically rich alternative to the festival's bigger pop nights.
Perfect for: Fans of contemporary Spanish singer-songwriters — La Malagueta's bullring acoustics suit his sound beautifully.
Marenostrum Fuengirola launches a brand-new urban music night, Urban Paradise, with Omar Courtz, Kris R and Yan Block first confirmed for the bill (further names to be announced). Reggaeton, trap and hip-hop at the open-air Escenario Unicaja beneath Castillo Sohail.
Perfect for: Reggaeton and urban music fans wanting a big Saturday night in Fuengirola — first edition of what looks set to become a regular fixture.
Early risers can watch a genuine piece of Costa del Sol maritime heritage: the "tirada del copo," a traditional net-fishing technique reenacted on Los Boliches beach since 1995 as a tribute to the fishing families of Fuengirola. A net is cast around 50m offshore then hauled in by hand from the sand — any fish caught are released, as required by law today.
Perfect for: Early risers, families and anyone curious about local history — a rare, authentic slice of Andalusian coastal tradition you won't find in any guidebook.
The second night of Julio Musical brings a programme of vocal works by Verdi, Donizetti and Puccini, evoking the imperial palaces of 19th-century Europe, performed live inside the Alcazaba's historic walls. An elegant, atmospheric alternative to the coast's big pop concerts.
Perfect for: Opera and classical fans wanting an intimate evening — only 100 seats, so book ahead.
The tiny Axarquía village of Cútar transforms its streets into a Nasrid-era setting for a night of music, gastronomy and historic atmosphere. A genuine "off the beaten path" experience about 40km from Málaga city, in one of the region's smallest and most characterful villages.
Perfect for: Culture lovers wanting to escape the coast for an evening — this is real village Andalusia, rarely seen by tourists.
Third edition of Yellow Sound, a music festival built around shared parenting and family responsibility, organised by Asociación Yo No Renuncio. Doors open at 18:30 with children's activities, followed by live sets from Vega, Georgina and MrPropper through the evening.
Perfect for: Families wanting a relaxed evening with live music and activities for the kids at the same time.
Julio Musical closes its opening weekend with Carmina Terrarum performing the "Cántigas de Santa María" — Alfonso X's 13th-century songbook — on period instruments inside the Alcazaba's ancient walls. A rare chance to hear medieval Iberian music in the very kind of setting it was written for.
Perfect for: History and early-music lovers — this is a genuinely unique, atmospheric way to end the weekend, and tickets are cheap at €15.
Sunday is the cheapest day to sightsee in Málaga: Museo Picasso Málaga and Centre Pompidou Málaga are free from 15:00, while the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castle are free from 14:00. Combine two or three in one afternoon for a full cultural day without spending a cent on entry.
Perfect for: Budget-conscious visitors and locals alike — plan your Sunday afternoon around these free windows and see Málaga's best sights for free.
Málaga's largest Sunday market, with around 315 stalls covering clothing, household goods, food and general market wares, plus two cafeterias on site. A genuinely local Sunday morning institution on the edge of the city.
Perfect for: Bargain hunters and anyone wanting a proper, unpretentious local Sunday experience — go early before it gets hot.
Fuengirola's smaller, more walkable Sunday street market runs along Calle Méndez Núñez behind the Mosque, near Parque Doña Sofía. 132 stalls sell leather goods, footwear, crafts, jewellery, ceramics, dried fruits, toys and textiles — an easy add-on to a beach morning.
Perfect for: Anyone staying in Fuengirola who wants an easy, walkable Sunday market before lunch on the beach.
Jean Michel Jarre is the godfather of electronic music, famous for record-breaking outdoor concerts and groundbreaking visual spectacles. His shows combine synthesizers, lasers, and immersive projections into an experience unlike any other. The Nagüeles quarry provides the perfect dramatic backdrop.
Perfect for: Electronic music fans, lovers of ambitious live spectacle, and anyone curious about the origins of modern EDM.
Sting — former frontman of The Police and one of the most enduring solo artists in rock history — performs at the stunning open-air Castillo de Sohail stage in Fuengirola. From Roxanne and Every Breath You Take to Fields of Gold and Desert Rose, an evening of truly timeless music.
Perfect for: Fans of rock, pop, and world music. Sting live is a master class in artistry — one of those concerts you'll talk about for years.
Puro Latino Fest returns to Torremolinos for its sixth edition — two nights of reggaeton and Latin urban music at the Recinto Ferial. Friday 17 July: Farruko, Ñengo Flow, ROA, Tito El Bambino, Alvama Ice and Cyril Kamer. Saturday 18 July: Anuel AA, JC Reyes, Juan Magan, Omar Montes, SAIKO and Kidd Voodoo. The biggest Latin music festival on the Costa del Sol each summer.
Perfect for: Reggaeton and Latin urban fans — consistently brings major names and sells out fast. The Recinto Ferial setting works brilliantly for a two-night festival format. Buy early.
John Legend — 12-time Grammy winner and EGOT achiever — brings his extraordinary piano-led soul to Starlite Marbella. With hits spanning All of Me, Ordinary People, and Glory, this is one of the most anticipated shows of the Starlite season at the famous Nagüeles quarry.
Perfect for: Couples, soul music lovers, and anyone who wants an unforgettable night under the stars in Marbella.
Brisa Festival returns to Málaga for three days of live music across multiple stages. Thursday features Love of Lesbian, Hot Chip DJ Set and David Otero; Friday brings Amaia, Soleá Morente and León Benavente; Saturday closes with M-Clan, OBK and La M.O.D.A. The festival donates a portion of proceeds to the Red Cross and describes itself as "más que música."
Perfect for: Indie and pop fans wanting a proper multi-day festival in Málaga — strong Spanish lineup with something for every taste across three nights.
Italy's most iconic blues-rock artist — Adelmo "Zucchero" Fornaciari — performs at Starlite, the legendary open-air venue carved into Marbella's Nagüeles quarry. Soulful vocals, rock energy, and one of Europe's most dramatic outdoor settings.
Perfect for: Fans of soulful rock who want a special night out in one of Marbella's most spectacular settings.
Dream Beach lands on the Costa del Sol for 2026, bringing its signature electronic music experience to Vélez-Málaga. International DJ headliners, multiple stages, and the stunning Málaga setting make this a highlight of the summer festival calendar.
Perfect for: EDM and techno fans who want a top-tier festival experience on the Costa del Sol.
The Feria de Málaga is the city's greatest celebration — eight nights of live music, flamenco, traditional costumes, fairground rides, and casetas where Malagueños eat, drink manzanilla, and dance until dawn. The Day Fair takes place in the historic centre; the Night Fair at the Real de la Feria fairground. Free to enter everywhere.
Perfect for: Everyone. This is Málaga at its most joyful — don't leave the Costa del Sol in August without experiencing at least one night.
Sun & Thunder returns for its second edition at Marenostrum Fuengirola — upgraded dates, limited capacity for comfort, and optimised scheduling. Set against the historic Castillo de Sohail with sea views, this is one of the Costa del Sol's most dramatically situated rock events.
Perfect for: Rock and metal fans. The Castillo Sohail setting at sunset is one of the most dramatic concert experiences on the coast.
Deep Purple — one of the founding fathers of heavy metal and hard rock — take the Starlite stage. From Smoke on the Water and Highway Star to Child in Time and Black Night, this is five decades of rock history performed at one of Europe's most spectacular open-air venues.
Perfect for: Rock fans of all ages. Seeing Deep Purple live at the Nagüeles quarry is a genuine bucket-list moment.
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