Wherever you are staying or residing on the Costa del Sol, you won´t be far from some of the best beaches in Spain, and some of the best summer events in the calendar, including the annual Marbella Feria.

Now that the weather has improved, we have at least four months of warm sunshine to look forward to, and a host things to see and do in Marbella and Puerto Banus. Marbella´s San Bernabé Feria, will be held this year between 7th and 13th June, and the streets of Marbella will come alive with music and dancing.

Passion, colour and noise are the first things to hit the senses as you approach the annual Feria de San Bernabé in Marbella.  The pride of the local people during feria week is wonderful to see – the women showing off their beautiful flamenco dresses as they perch side-saddle behind the elegant horsemen in their red neckerchiefs and braces. Held every June to honour the Patron Saint of San Bernabé, this annual extravaganza is a riot fun and frivolity.

We always visit the fair in the daytime, and usually congregate at the Alameda Park in the centre of the town, right next to the Cafeteria de Marbella. Open air bars, dancing and Spanish music keeps revellers on their toes all day, and there is a wide range of tapas, pinxitos and barbecued food on offer.

From here to the sea, is the magnificent Avenida del Mar, with the Dali statues and the stunning views over the Mediterranean. During feria week, there are also a range of bars and restaurants open along the Avenida del Mar, and live music is also staged by the sea.

Orange Square is also worth a visit during feria week, as many pupils from the Spanish dancing schools perform in front of the town hall.

The Old Town also plays host to some great singers, who seem to perform on every corner during the feria.
This is one of biggest fun events in Andalucia, and the streets of the town, including local bars and restaurants are festooned in flags and bunting to add to the fabulous atmosphere.

On entering the fairground in the evening, the lights and sounds are incredible.  Music booms from every stall and ride, combining excitement and great fun for all ages.  Many local musicians and flamenco dancers perform here to an appreciative audience.

This festival of fun also boasts superb food including such Spanish favourites as tortilla, fried fish, candy floss, locally produced turrón nougat and chocolate covered nuts and popcorn. As you would expect in this part of the world, there are plenty of bars to buy refreshments and to enjoy the live music.

There is no such thing as closing time at this event, and many revellers stay at the feria all night, and enjoy an early morning coffee with churros at one of the many local cafes surrounding the fairground.

Every year there is a special Children´s Evening where the younger members of the family can enjoy discounted or free fairground rides before the ´big kids´ arrive after dark.

The people of Marbella take great pride in their annual festival and the colour and noise created throughout the celebrations are incredible.  Even in the daytime, every bar in the centre of town seems to be competing to play the loudest disco and Spanish music to the great delight of the crowds dancing in the streets.  Visitors and residents mingle in the packed town centre during daylight hours and the whole city seems to vibrate with life.
Traditional Flamenco dresses are worn by many of the ladies, and the city is festooned in bunting and banners to leave you in no doubt what the feria means to the locals.  There is also plenty of street entertainment to keep the children amused, and this really is a fabulous day out for the whole family.

If you fancy eating al fresco, you can find a vast range of bars and restaurants along the sea front in Marbella, or try some of the excellent tapas bars in the town centre. If you want to combine a trip to Puerto Banus, you can take a short boat trip from Marbella leisure marina to the port, or take a bus or taxi from the centre of town.
If you are planning a holiday on the Costa del Sol, make sure you are in Marbella during the feria, as it is one of the most popular events on the Costa del Sol, and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the coast.
This really is a time to embrace everything Spanish, enjoy the Carnival Atmosphere and let your hair down.  Marbella Feria is one of the highlights of the social calendar in the South of Spain, and after one visit, you will definitely want to come back next year!