Ferias and Fiestas in Puerto Banus

Puerto Banus is the place to be when the party gets started!

 Here the principal fiestas in Puerto Banus:
   1) The Celebration of Carnaval
   2) Easter
   3) San Bernabé
   4) Fiesta de San Juan
   5) Feria del Carmen
   6) 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

Easter in Puerto Banus has become more popular over the last few years, largely due to continuing effort of both local and national brotherhoods together with the Puerto Banus 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 Puerto Banus 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.

The fiesta of San Benabé is held during the first fortnight of June and for the following weeks the plazas and squares of Puerto Banus are filled with dancing, music and a wonderful carnival atmosphere.

According to the Biblical legend, Saint Bernabé gave money to the Apostles to distribute to the poor. His original name was Joseph, but the new name given by the Apostles means "he who makes an effort" or "he who encourages others".

The last day of the festival is marked by the procession of 'Reconquista', or 'Reconquest'. This is in celebration of the monarchs Isabel and Ferdinand, who drove the Moors from Spain, reuniting this lovely country with its people. The second procession of the day, and the final procession of the week to mark the end of the festivities, is in honour of San Benabé, and is then held in the afternoon of the final day.

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.

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 Puerto Banus town.
Children's Nativity Plays.
Children's Carol Singing Contest.
Various Christmas related competitions.
Shop window dressing competition.
Annual Choir Contest.