Ferias and Fiestas in Fuengirola

Fuengirola is the place to be when the party gets started!

 Here the principal fiestas in Fuengirola:
   1) The Celebration of Carnaval
   2) Feria Internacional de los Pueblos
   3) Easter Celebrations
   4) Fiesta de San Juan
   5) Feria del Carmen
   6) Feria del Rosario
   7) Christmas

Carnaval is celebrated the week before Ash Wednesday and the 40 days of Lent. This is not recognised as a great tradition in the Fuengirola area, However still celebrated in a few locations. And for those who choose to celebrate this there are several activities arranged for this time, including:

Fancy Dress Costume Carnivals
Carnival of Dancing
Masked Balls
Burial of the Sardine

The Feria Internacional de los Pueblos is a celebration of the food, drink and culture of the international community. It is marked with a 2 day collection of stalls and events from all corners of the world, including all the different regions of Spain. Held anually in the El Recinto Ferial (Fairground) of Fuengirola, it regularly draws in thousands of people each year, who all enjoy sampling the various cultures entertainment on show.

Easter in Fuengirola has become more popular over the last few years, largely due to continuing effort of both local and national brotherhoods together with the Fuengirola Town Council. Previous years of financial struggle with organisation of these celebrations has been alleviated by an annual allowance supplied by the state.
 
Part of the festivities consist of a traditional "Saetas" singing contest, and because of the improvements that have been made through the years to the contests organisation, it becomes more and more popular year after year. It is staged in the Fuengirola House of the Culture each year, and is also free to attend. It is to be held on the 2nd March 2007, starting at 20:30. Some of the artists expected to appear this year are, Antonio de Canillas, Alcala Dew, Manuela Lamb, Paqui Rosales and Anastasio Ortigosa, With musical support coming from the talents of Juan of Cordova (guitar). The event will be hosted by Rufino Rivas.

As you would expect from an area which owes so much of its existence to the sea, the Fiesta de San Juan in Malaga involves the beaches and the sea.
 
It’s no coincidence that the Fiesta de San Juan is held on the day of Midsummer Solstice as this is the day that countries all over Europe celebrate the longest day of the year.
 
The roots of the Fiesta de San Juan can be found in the Pagan Religion but in these modern times the celebration and parties are about an excuse for a good time!
 
The Festival gets going at midnight on the 24th of June with large caricatures being burnt on large bonfires. These bonfires are easy to find as there are many dotted up and down the Costa del Sol. Hordes of people gather around these bonfires jumping and dancing through the night.
 
At the stroke of midnight everyone enjoying the festivities runs to the sea, in the tradition to wash away the evil spirits and be granted eternal beauty.
 
Although traditionally midnight signals the end of the Fiesta de San Juan in Malaga this does not mean the party is over, all it means is that the festivities move to all the bars along the Costa del Sol. Even though you can experience the Fiesta de San Juan in any Costa del Sol town, the celebrations in Málaga are certainly one of the best, and it comes highly recommended. If you find yourself on the Costa del Sol during this time of year, it is well worth the trip to join the party.

La Virgen del Carmen, Protector of Seamen. On the night of the 16th July many people gather whilst an effigy of Carmen is paraded around the town destined for the mariner. Once there the statue is cast off in elaborately adorned boats, to a crescendo of horns and wonderful fireworks.

This celebration is held from the 6th to the 12th of October in honour of the Virgen del Roasrio, the patron saint of Fuengirola, located in the main fairground on Avenida de Jesús Santos Rein.
 
Due to the careful planning and its array of exciting activities on offer, the Feria del Rosario has become one of the most popular ferias in Andalucia. And as always the troops of horseback riders, in traditional Spanish dress, are present continuing the long tradition that horses and their riders play in these festivals.
 
All the activities are centered around the magnificent fairground. With carnival stalls and fairground rides galore. Wonderful, traditional food is available from many locations in and around the fair itself, until the early hours of the morning.

The Christmas festivities traditionally begin on the 1st of December with the introduction of each towns Christmas lights, and finishes with the Fiesta de Los Reyes, on the 5th of January. During the Christmas holiday there are many wonderful celebrations to mark the festivities, some of these are listed below.

A traditional Christmas procession through Fuengirola town.
Children’s Nativity Plays.
Children’s Carol Singing Contest.
Various Christmas related competitions.
Shop window dressing competition.
Annual Choir Contest.