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• 1st - New Year's Day This is a national public holiday and many shops will be closed.
• 2nd to 4th Royal Mailman. Plaza Costa del Sol. Letters for the Three Wise Men as children in Spain get their presents on the morning of 6th January rather than 25th December.
• Sat 5th - Eve of Three Kings or Three Wise Men There is the Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos or the parade of the three kings. There are many floats often with cartoon characters and sometimes some real camels. The floats are staffed partly by children who throw sweets (several tonnes) to the children waiting at the side with open carrier bags and upturned umbrellas to ensure that they get a good catch.
  Here are some pictures, video and route map of the Three Kings Parade.
  For Spanish kids this is like Christmas Eve when they get their presents. Traditionally they leave their shoes out so that the three Kings can leave something for them. They also leave out food and drink for the Kings and the camels.
• 6th - Epiphany (Three Kings). National Public holiday. Many shops will be closed or will close early as Spanish owners go home for a family meal.
• Fri 25th - Burn's night (It is a UK thing) A few bars will celebrate with haggis and a piper.

• Thu 7th to Sun 10th - Rockin' Race Jamboree. Lots of Rockabilly bands and now over 25 years running. Attracts thousands of visitors from all over Europe. In 2021 it will run from Thu 4th to Sun 7th. More details here
• 14th - St Valentine's Day Many restaurants will be doing special meals. Generally you will need to book in advance.
• 15th - Gala Drag Drag Queen Competition. Selection for Gay Pride. Date will vary a little from year to year.
• 25th - Shrove Tuesday Pancake day in the UK. Traditional preparation for the 40 day fasting of Lent. Pancakes are a way of using up eggs, milk and sugar before the fasting starts. Not many pancakes here - best to make your own.
• 28th - Andalucia Day Regional public holiday. The big supermarkets will be closed.
  There is a market for Andalusian products from 11am to 9pm in Avenida Palma de Mallorca (27th to 1st March) with local gastronomic and handmade products. Probably also some live music and Spanish dancing.

NB Most events cancelled in March 2020 because of Coronavirus.


• 1st - St David's Day (It is a UK thing) Not much happens here or in UK
• Various dates through the month - Artesan Market Held in Avenida Palma de Mallorca and possibly also on the beach.
• 6th to 8th - Carnival Groups Semifinals Held in the Municipal Auditorium, "Principe de Asturias".
• 8th - International Women's Day Some events ???
• 13th - Carnival Groups Final Held in the Municipal Auditorium, "Principe de Asturias".
• 14th - Carnaval Normally held in Nogalera Square. This year's venue hasn't been announced. There is normally a parade and lots of music from Chiringotas (Musical groups that sing witty ditties often making fun of politicians and famous people and often wearing outlandish costumes.)
• 15th - Carnaval Parade on the Carihuela followed by the burning of the Sardine on the beach. Pictures and video of the Carnaval, singers and sardine burning.
• 17th - St Patrick's Day Normally in Plaza de la Nogalera but venue not known for this year. There is usually a fancy dress competition. Some bars will also celebrate and Guinness hats are usually involved.
• Tue 19th - Fathers Day in Spain. Very low key here.
• 20th - March Equinox when we have 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. Normally taken to be the start of Spring.
• 22nd - Mothers Day (UK date only) In Spain it is 3rd May
• 28th - Clocks go forward an hour It will be darker in the mornings and lighter at night.

NB Easter parades cancelled in April 2020 because of Coronavirus.


• 1st - April Fools' Day (This is a UK thing) In Spain, the equivalent is on 28th December, Dia de los Santos Inocentes.
• Fri 12th & Sat 13th - Foreign Residents' Day (2019 dates - 2020 dates not available) Normally in the Plaza de la Nogalera. Noon to 11.30 on both days. Great event with dancing, music, food and drink from up to 18 countries. The date varies - possibly depends on Easter dates.
  Some pictures and video from 2019.
• Sun 5th - Palm Sunday There is a procession through the streets.
  Procession route, pictures and video
• Tue 7th - Holy Tuesday There is a procession through the streets.
  Procession route, pictures and video
• Thu 9th - Holy Thursday National Public Holiday. There is no parade in Torremolinos.
• Fri 10th - Good Friday There is a procession through the streets
  National Public Holiday. Some shops will be closed.
  Some bars and restaurants may do Hot Cross Buns.
  Procession route, pictures and video
• Sun 12th - Easter Sunday There is a procession through the streets.
• Mon 13th - Easter Monday (UK only) Not celebrated in Torremolinos.
• Tue 23rd - St George's Day (UK) Nothing much happens here or in UK.
• 26th to 5th May - Ruta de la tapa (2019 dates - 2020 not released yet) Lots of bars and restaurants invent a new tapa for this event.
  More info and location map
• 27th - King's Day (Konigsdag) Dutch event held in La Carihuela. People dress in orange and there is traditional Dutch food.

• 1st - Labour Day National Public holiday. Many shops will be closed.
• 3rd - Mothers' Day (Spain) Low key event
• 10th to 12th & 17th to 19th - Ruta del Rock (2019 dates) Live music in many bars, cafeterias and restaurants over two weekends.
  Details of 2019 event
• 30th to 7th June - Torremolinos Gay Pride - Postponed in 2020 due to Coronavirus Normally in Plaza de la Nogalera but for 2020 expected to be on the beach.
  Here are some pictures of the procession.
• Wed & Fri through May - Artesan Market in Avenida Palma de Mallorca This was 2019 but expected to be the same in 2020.

• 5th to 7th - Fish & Fresh Lots of chiringuitos will be taking part. Enjoy a ration of boquerones, calamares, rosada, changuetes or sardines for 6€.
• Middle of the month - Festival of Cultures Normally in Plaza de la Nogalera with food and dance from many countries.
• 20th - June Solstice Normally taken to be midsummers day
• 21st to 23rd - Ecoweekend Festival Gardens of the Pablo Picasso Cultural Centre
• 23rd - Noche de San Juan 24th is the Dia de San Juan, the only saint whose birth is celebrated rather than their death.
  Bonfires on the beach at night with much dancing and drinking. Jump over the fire and then dip in the sea to cleanse your sins.
  This was originally a pagan festival based on the June Solstice or Midsummers Day.
• 27th to 12th September - Book fair Normally in Plaza de la Nogalera
• End of June - 'Birra & Art' Beer Festival Plaza Costa del Sol. Beers from local craft breweries. Usually on for three days but it did not happen 2019
• Wed & Fri through June - Artesan Market in Avenida Palma de Mallorca Also a similar market on Saturdays in la Carihuela.

• 13th to 16th - Feria de la Virgen del Carmen Traditional procession in La Carihuela. Tribute paid to the patron saint of fishermen. The statue of the Virgin del Carmen is placed in a boat and goes out to sea as a blessing to the water.
  Dancing, music and amusements in Plaza del Remo. It is said to have started with the Carmelite hermits in 1251.
  The 16th is a local public holiday.

• 1st to 4th - Foodtrucks Festival 2019 dates - nothing announced for 2020 yet
• Tue, Wed & Thu - Cinema on the Beach Popular films shown on Playamar beach in the evenings.
• Wed, Fri & Sat - Artesan Market Wed & Fri in Avenida Palma de Mallorca; Sat in Pasaje La Carihuela
• 15th to 18th - Cuban Festival Was held in Plaza de la Nogalera in 2019. No plans yet fopr 2020
• 15th - Assumption of Mary National Public Holiday
• 28th to 30th - Puppet Festival Held in three different locations in 2019.

• 5th - Tourist Day. No plans yet for 2020 This usually takes place on the first Thursday in September. Celebration of tourists who have been visiting from the 1950's. Usually in Plaza de la Nogalera - No plans yet for 2020.
• 13th to 4th October - Coctelmolinos. No plans yet for 2020 New event in 2019. Various bars, cafes and hotels create a new cocktail.
  Some details of the 2019 event here
• 20th - Romeria Lots of horse men, women and children, horse carts and traps, bull carts and old tractors head through town towards Los Pinares de los Manantiales. Lots of dancing, drinking and eating.
• 24th to 29th - Feria de San Miguel Separate day and night events with a massive fair at night.
• 29th - Dia de San Miguel Patron Saint of Torremolinos and the name of a popular beer.
  This is a local holiday.

• 12th - Spain Day (Dia de España) Also known as Columbus Day. National holiday with parades and municipal band.
• 17th - Oktoberfest Usually last Thursday in the month up to the Sunday. Personally a disappointing event. Just a couple of German beers and expensive hot dogs.
• Date varies - Diwali Festival (Festival of Lights) Hindu New Year celebrated in Plaza de la Nogalera on the last Saturday in October. Food, drink, dance, henna tattoos, handicrafts and craft market.
• 26th - Clocks go back one hour Lighter mornings and darker evenings.
• 31st - Halloween Lots of parties in bars. Nothing official.

• 1st - All Saints Day National Public holiday
• 5th - Guy Fawkes. Bonfire night (UK only) Nothing to do with Spain, though many Spaniards could wish for an equivalent person.
• Middle of the month - Ruta del Rock Cancelled by the Town Hall in 2019
• 30th - St Andrew's Day Nothing happens here.

• 1st to 14th February - King for a Day Shopping promotion with the winner getting 10,000 euros to spend in local shops.
• Early December - Nativity Scene At the Ayuntamiento. Date uncertain but usually on show from early December until early January.
• Early December - Christmas Market Will be held in Plaza Costa del Sol/Avenida Palma de Mallorca.
• 6th - Constitution Day National Public holiday. As this is a Sunday the holiday day will be on 7th.
• 8th - Immaculate Conception National Public Holiday. As it is a Sunday, the 9th is the holiday day this year.
• Mid-December - Christmas lights turned on Always popular with big crowds of locals and tourists.
• 20th to 23rd - Santa's Grotto Plaza Costa del Sol 11.00am to 1.00pm and 5.00pm to 8.00pm.
• 21st - 5th Charity Toy Run Komando Animoto Motoclub meets in Plaza Blas Infante at 11.00am.
  Here is the route as a map. They leave the Ayuntamiento at Noon but other timings are difficult as their speed will vary depending on the type of road.
• 24th - Christmas Eve Party - No details for 2020 so far. Plaza Federico García Lorca at 1.00pm. Performance 'Navidad Flamenca - Casa Pestiño'.
• 25th - Christmas Day. National Public Holiday Possibly a party in the Auditorium, Príncipe de Asturias.
• 26th - Boxing Day UK only Not celebrated in Spain
• 28th - Day of the Innocents This is like the UK April fools' day. A joke on Herod who failed to kill the infact Jesus.
• 31st - New Year's Eve Party in Plaza Blas Infante from 11.00pm in 2019.
  Tradional eating of twelve grapes, one for each time the clock strikes - for good luck in the coming year.

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