{"id":76903,"date":"2024-05-14T14:42:42","date_gmt":"2024-05-14T12:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=76903"},"modified":"2026-10-01T05:13:04","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T03:13:04","slug":"marbella-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/marbella-fair\/","title":{"rendered":"Marbella Fair: the San Bernab\u00e9 Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Marbella Fair, officially known as the Feria y Fiestas de San Bernab\u00e9, is the town\u2019s main festival. It is held every June in honour of San Bernab\u00e9, the patron saint of Marbella, whose feast day is 11 June, and for seven days the town swaps its usual rhythm for a week of festival marquees, live music, food and flamenco dresses. In practice, it marks the start of summer on the Costa del Sol.<\/p>\n\n

There\u2019s one thing you should bear in mind before you go: it takes place across two venues at different times. During the day, the action is centred in the old town, the Parque de la Alameda and the Avenida del Mar; at night, it moves to the fairground in the La Ca\u00f1ada area. If you\u2019re coming from M\u00e1laga or elsewhere along the coast, you can combine a visit to the fair with a tour of the city by taking a day trip to Marbella and Mijas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

The Marbella Fair, the San Bernab\u00e9 Fair<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The San Bernab\u00e9 Fair brings a lively atmosphere to the centre of Marbella.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The origins of the fair date back to the 17th century, when the festivities in honour of the town\u2019s patron saint gradually took shape to become the celebration we know today. Saint Barnabas is the patron saint of Marbella and his feast day, 11 June, is the focal point around which the entire programme is organised: on that day, the conquest of the town by the Catholic Monarchs in 1485 is also commemorated with a solemn mass at the Parish Church of Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Encarnaci\u00f3n, followed by a procession carrying the saint\u2019s statue through the historic centre.<\/p>\n

Over the decades, the fair has gradually incorporated new activities and expanded its grounds, yet it retains its traditional Andalusian structure: a daytime fair in the streets and a night-time fair at the fairground. It is one of the most important fairs in the province of M\u00e1laga and, unlike other, more tourist-oriented celebrations on the Costa del Sol, it retains a distinctly local character.<\/p>\n\n

When is the Marbella Fair?<\/h2>\n

The Marbella Fair is always held in June, around the 11th \u2013 St Bernab\u00e9\u2019s Day \u2013 and lasts seven days<\/strong>. The exact dates vary from one edition to the next and are set by Marbella Town Council, which usually unveils the programme and the promotional poster during the month of May.<\/p>\n

For reference, the 2026 event took place from 8 to 14 June<\/strong>. That year, the fairground was expanded by more than 10,000 square metres and a new youth area was launched, featuring DJ sets and food trucks. The dates for the next edition are announced in the months leading up to the event, so it\u2019s a good idea to check the official programme of Marbella Town Council<\/a> before organising the trip.<\/p>\n

There are also two events that serve as a prelude and do not take place during the festival week: the Pre-Fair Gala<\/strong> and the San Bernab\u00e9 Pilgrimage<\/strong>, which take place at the end of May. The pilgrimage gets underway early, with fireworks launched from the patron saint\u2019s brotherhood house and a free tasting of churros with hot chocolate. If you\u2019re interested in the more traditional side of the festival, it\u2019s well worth bearing these in mind. The selection of the queens and ladies-in-waiting usually takes place in the Jos\u00e9 Pern\u00eda Auditorium in Parque de la Constituci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n\n

Day fair and night fair: where each one takes place<\/h2>\n

This is the distinction you need to be clear about so as not to end up in the wrong area.<\/p>\n

The day fair<\/strong> It takes place in the city centre: the old town, the Alameda Park<\/strong> and the Avenida del Mar<\/strong>, with open-air bars open from midday until the afternoon, live music, performances by dance schools, shows and children\u2019s entertainment. It is the most accessible part of the city for those just passing through.<\/p>\n

The evening fair<\/strong> It is moving to the exhibition grounds in the Arroyo Segundo area, next to the Camino de la Ca\u00f1ada<\/strong>, a little way from the centre. That\u2019s where you\u2019ll find the stalls, the rides, the games, the concert stages and the food truck area, and the festivities go on until the early hours. The night-time fair officially gets underway when the lights are switched on at the Arch of the Fair<\/strong>, at the entrance to the site. It\u2019s a good idea to plan your journey, as it\u2019s not within walking distance of the old town.<\/p>\n\n

What to see and do at the Marbella Fair<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Stalls, rides and concerts at the fairground after dark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The programme combines festive and traditional elements, with activities for all ages: flamenco, live music concerts, equestrian displays, children\u2019s attractions and an inclusive fair featuring noise-free days and priority access for people with special needs.<\/p>\n\n

Food and festival stalls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The bars and terraces in the city centre are the heart of the daytime fair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Food is a central part of the fair. At the bars in the centre and in the stalls around the site, you can find fried fish, sardine skewers, paella, gazpacho, Iberian ham and traditional Andalusian tapas, accompanied by rebujito, manzanilla or beer. Most of the events, concerts and activities are free to attend; only a few attractions and special events require a ticket.<\/p>\n

As Marbella is on the coast, seafood features more prominently than at inland fairs. If your visit coincides with the daytime fair, going for tapas in the Parque de la Alameda and along Avenida del Mar is the easiest option and the one that best captures the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You may also be interested to know more information about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where to eat in Marbella<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Traditional parades and shows<\/h3>\n

One of the most iconic activities is the parade of giants and big-heads<\/strong>, a popular tradition that\u2019s ideal for families. And the other major event is the historical re-enactment of the arrival of Ferdinand the Catholic<\/strong>: Actors in period costume re-enact the arrival of the Christians in Al-Andalus-era Marbella, with rituals such as the knighting of knights and the handing over of the keys to the city.<\/p>\n

In addition to these, there will be the official opening ceremony with the opening address, the coronation of the festival queens and kings, and the fireworks display, as well as daily performances by local dance schools.<\/p>\n\n

What to see in Marbella apart from the Feria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Plaza de los Naranjos, in the heart of the old town.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re going to be spending the day in the city, it\u2019s worth setting aside some time for other things. Here are the places that go best with a visit to the fair:<\/p>\n