As well as its monuments, museums and beaches, the Costa del Sol also offers visitors the chance to enjoy its year-round calendar of events. And it’s a very busy 12 months too with plenty going on to suit all ages and preferences. In this blog post, we focus on the forthcoming season, with our round-up of x amazing events on the Costa del Sol this autumn.
Have all the fun of the fair(s)
With its long (long) list of towns and villages, the Costa del Sol can almost always provide a local feria to visit. This autumn welcomes several of the main annual fairs, but we’ve highlighted two of them, both of which are back for the first time since 2019.
Fuengirola Fair
This feria takes place from 6 to 12 October and celebrates the resort’s patron saint, the Virgen del Rosario. Horses dressed up in all their finery take centre stage over the 6-day event and as a result, Fuengirola Fair is one of the most important equine events in Andalusia.
Nerja Fair
Nerja’s biggest annual festivities also take place in October (8 to 12). Their highlight is the procession parading the town’s two patron saints, the Virgen de las Angustias and San Miguel Arcángel, on 10 October. Find out more about Nerja Fair. https://turismo.nerja.es/feria-de-nerja/
Did you know? Nerja is one of the overnight stops in all our Costa del Sol Road Trips, which suggest themed things to do in Nerja. Check out our list of themes.
Enjoy the best of local flamenco
The Costa del Sol celebrates its flamenco talent this autumn with a range of concerts featuring singers, guitar players and dancers, up and down the coast. The autumn season begins on 17 September and continues until 26 November.
To find out who’s performing where and when click here.
Taste events on the Costa del Sol
This part of southern Spain has a rich gastronomic culture and is home to some of the country’s finest fresh produce. Several events on the Costa del Sol this autumn take on a foodie theme and celebrate these delicious wonders.
As well as grape festivals in Manilva and Moclinejo and a raisin celebration in El Borge, you can also feast on:
Almonds during Almond Day in Almogia, a small town north of Malaga on Sunday 25 September. Tastings of almonds in different local dishes, workshops and traditional verdiales music. https://www.almogia.es/4797/almendra
Did you know? Almogia has some of the largest almond groves in the province and seeing their white blossom is a walking highlight in January.
Anchovies during the Fiesta del Boquerón at Rincón de la Victoria (east of Malaga city) between 7 and 12 September. The 5-day event gives visitors plenty of opportunities to try this delicious small fish in all its shapes and forms – 1,000kg are dished up free! You can see demonstrations of show cooking and listen to concerts. Find out more.
Love to try local food when you’re on holiday? Then you need the Foodie Experience Costa del Sol Road Trips. Buy your copy here.
Gaze and Marvel at the skies
Torre del Mar, about halfway between Malaga city and Nerja, celebrates its 6th edition of the International Torre del Mar Airshow between 9 and 11 September. This breathtaking display of aeronautical acrobatics attracts crowds in the thousands, but there’s usually plenty of room on the beach for everyone to take in the pilots’ amazing feats.
See the training sessions with historic planes, helicopters, fighter jets, paragliders and parachuters on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 September. Then the show itself takes place on Sunday 11. More information here.
Watch some world-class sport
The Costa del Sol hosts several excellent sporting events this autumn at locations up and down the coast.
Andalucia Masters 2022
The Costa del Sol’s biggest golfing event has its annual date at Real Club Valderrama de Sotogrande between 13 and 16 October. Expect plenty of action around the greens and along the fairways at this event that attracts big Spanish and international names in golf.
The Andalucia Masters is a ticketed event with options to buy a season ticket for all four days, a weekend pass or individual daily tickets. More information and links to tickets here.
Did you know? One of our Costa del Sol Road Trips is 100% dedicated to golf, golf and more golf.
Davis Cup Final
The final of this famous tennis event takes place in Malaga city from 22 to 27 November at the Martin Carpena Sports Stadium. The event starts with the quarter-finals, leads to the semis and then celebrates the final on Sunday 27. Find out more and book tickets here.
Join in sporting events on the Costa del Sol
If participating rather than spectating is your thing, how about these sporting events coming up this autumn?
Marbella 4 days walking
This annual event takes place from 6 to 9 October in Marbella and covers the resort from one end to the other on foot. Days 1 to 3 take in hikes of 10, 20 and 30km in the town itself, the surrounding foothills and of course, the beach. The final day walks along Via Gladiolo to a triumphant arrival in Plaza del Mar.
You can sign up for the whole event or just walk on the dates that suit you.
Malaga Marathon
Only for serious runners prepared to battle their way around Malaga city for 42km (a half-marathon option is also available), this annual event is famous for its warm sunshine and camaraderie from both locals and other participants. Best of all? Running the Malaga Marathon also gives you a chance to explore the city!
And all of it, as you can see from the video of the route below…
It takes place this year on Sunday 11 December. More information and link to sign up here.
Did you know? Our Active Adventure Costa del Sol Road Trip provides just the right adrenalin rush with some fun activities for all ages and abilities. Buy your copy here.
Listen to music at events on the Costa del Sol
The summer is the season for big musical festivals on the Costa del Sol, but the autumn has its fair share of great concerts too. We’ve highlighted the following:
Marbella International Music Festival
The 7th edition takes place at the beginning of September (1 to 10) at several locations in the resort. It includes concerts, masterclasses and competitions. Several concerts are free. Find out more here.
Malaga Jazz Festival
The Costa del Sol’s annual date with world-class jazz includes concerts with some of the finest musicians in the genre. Concerts are at the Cervantes Theatre in the heart of Malaga from 3 to 9 November plus there’s a selection of free jazz events at different venues in the city.
Find out more about Malaga Jazz Festival.
See in the new season
Our last amazing event on the Costa del Sol this autumn goes to Antequera and the town’s unique dolmens. Each of the three dolmens faces a different direction and celebrates a different equinox depending on which way they face.
Guided tours are available coinciding with the change in season:
- Autumn equinox – at the Viera Dolmen on 22, 23 and 24 September at 8.15am.
- Winter equinox – at the Romeral Dolmen on 20, 21 and 22 December from 2pm.
If you’d like to attend one of them, book your place by sending an email to visitasdolmenesdeantequera.ccul@juntadeandalucia.es stating your name and the dates you wish to visit.
Get the guide(s) you need
No visit to the Costa del Sol would be complete without one (or several!) of our Road Trips guides. They cover the entire area and include unique suggestions for things to do and see, as well as the best places to eat and stay. Best of all? Each guide only costs €4.95 and discounts are available as soon as you purchase more than one.