Marbella Fair: the San Bernabé Fair

The Marbella Fair, officially known as the Feria y Fiestas de San Bernabé, is the town’s main festival. It is held every June in honour of San Bernabé, 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.

There’s 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 Cañada area. If you’re coming from Málaga 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.

The Marbella Fair, the San Bernabé Fair

The origins of the fair date back to the 17th century, when the festivities in honour of the town’s 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 Señora de la Encarnación, followed by a procession carrying the saint’s statue through the historic centre.

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 Málaga and, unlike other, more tourist-oriented celebrations on the Costa del Sol, it retains a distinctly local character.

When is the Marbella Fair?

The Marbella Fair is always held in June, around the 11th – St Bernabé’s Day – and lasts seven days. 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.

For reference, the The 2026 event took place from 8 to 14 June. 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’s a good idea to check the official programme of Marbella Town Council before organising the trip.

There are also two events that serve as a prelude and do not take place during the festival week: the Pre-Fair Gala and the San Bernabé Pilgrimage, which take place at the end of May. The pilgrimage gets underway early, with fireworks launched from the patron saint’s brotherhood house and a free tasting of churros with hot chocolate. If you’re interested in the more traditional side of the festival, it’s well worth bearing these in mind. The selection of the queens and ladies-in-waiting usually takes place in the José Pernía Auditorium in Parque de la Constitución.

Day fair and night fair: where each one takes place

This is the distinction you need to be clear about so as not to end up in the wrong area.

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

The evening fair It is moving to the exhibition grounds in the Arroyo Segundo area, next to the Camino de la Cañada, a little way from the centre. That’s where you’ll 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, at the entrance to the site. It’s a good idea to plan your journey, as it’s not within walking distance of the old town.

What to see and do at the Marbella Fair

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

Food and festival stalls

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.

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.

Traditional parades and shows

One of the most iconic activities is the parade of giants and big-heads, a popular tradition that’s ideal for families. And the other major event is the historical re-enactment of the arrival of Ferdinand the Catholic: 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.

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.

What to see in Marbella apart from the Feria

If you’re going to be spending the day in the city, it’s worth setting aside some time for other things. Here are the places that go best with a visit to the fair:

• Old town, with its cobbled streets and the Plaza de los Naranjos, surrounded by orange trees and historic buildings.
• Church of the Incarnation, a 17th-century Baroque church in the heart of the historic centre and the venue for the Mass of St Barnabas.
• Avenida del Mar and the Promenade, which link the town centre with the beach and are home to the sculptures by Salvador Dalí.
• Puerto Banús, the marina with its yachts and luxury shops, just a few minutes from the city centre.
• Constitution Park and Alameda Park, two green spaces where you can take a breather between visits.
• Ralli Museum, featuring contemporary and Latin American art, with free entry, right by the sea.

To help you organise your entire visit, you’ll find our guide to What to see in Marbella in a day, and if you’d like to extend your trip to the best-known part of the municipality, you can find the guide at Puerto Banús.

How to get to the Marbella Fair

Marbella is about 60 kilometres from Málaga, just under an hour’s drive along the A-7 motorway or the AP-7 toll motorway. There are direct buses from the airport, and there are also intercity bus services connecting Marbella with Fuengirola, Estepona and the city of Málaga.

During the fair, it is worth bearing in mind the traffic restrictions and road closures in the city centre, so the most practical option is to park in the public car parks around Avenida del Mar and walk around the fairground during the day. To get to the fairground in the evening, the City Council usually increases the number of buses, and there are designated taxi ranks; the journey by car is short, but finding a parking space can be tricky at peak times.

Excursions from Marbella

If you’re staying in Marbella and want to explore the rest of the province, here are the day trips that depart from the city:

And if you’re in Málaga or elsewhere on the Costa del Sol and fancy a day trip to Marbella without having to worry about transport or parking, this tour combines Marbella, Puerto Banús and Mijas Pueblo:

Frequently Asked Questions about the Marbella Fair

When is the Marbella Fair?

The Marbella Fair is held every year in June, around 11 June, the feast day of Saint Barnabas, the city’s patron saint, and lasts for seven days. The dates are not fixed and vary from one year to the next: the 2026 fair took place from 8 to 14 June. It is advisable to check the official programme issued by Marbella Town Council before planning your visit.

Why is it called the San Bernabé Fair?

It is called the San Bernabé Fair because it is held in honour of Saint Bernabé, the patron saint of Marbella, whose feast day is 11 June. That is the official name of the festival, the San Bernabé Fair and Festivities, although it is commonly known as the Marbella Fair. Its origins date back to the 17th century.

What is there to do at the Marbella Fair?

During the day, the festivities take place in the old town, the Alameda Park and Avenida del Mar, with open-air bars, music and flamenco dresses; in the evening, the atmosphere shifts to the fairground on Camino de la Cañada, with marquees, food, fairground rides and concerts. The programme also includes the Mass and procession of San Bernabé on 11 June, the parade of giants and big-heads, and the historical re-enactment of the arrival of Ferdinand the Catholic.

Where is the daytime fair and where is the evening fair?

The daytime fair is centred on the centre of Marbella: the old town, Parque de la Alameda and Avenida del Mar. The evening fair is held at the fairground in the Arroyo Segundo area, next to Camino de la Cañada, some distance from the centre, so it is advisable to plan your journey by car, taxi or bus.

Do you have to pay an entrance fee for the Marbella Fair?

No. Most of the events, concerts and activities at the fair are free to attend, both during the day and at the fairground. Only a few attractions and special events require an admission ticket or a minimum spend.