The Estepona Town Hall reviews its Fair and Major Festivals, which has exceeded expectations with nearly 500,000 attendees and a free programme that has filled the Municipal Pavilion.
The Estepona Fair and Major Festivals have closed their 2026 edition with a balance that few could have imagined: nearly half a million visits in just one week. The Town Hall confirmed the figures this Monday, highlighting that the summer event is consolidating as one of the major tourist attractions of the Costa del Sol.
A municipal pavilion that was the epicentre of Estepona's nights
The Councillor for Culture and Festivals, Macarena Diánez, emphasised that the high level of participation from locals and visitors in all the scheduled activities has been the key to success. “The atmosphere of coexistence and normality has characterised this edition,” she stated. The security device, with Local Police, National Police Corps, Civil Guard, Firefighters and Civil Protection, operated without any notable incidents, allowing the fairgrounds to be a safe space for all audiences.
The Municipal Pavilion was once again the big draw of the fair. The free concerts by Número Uno featuring artists such as Diego Martín, Nuria Fergó, Joana Jiménez, Los Yakis and Paco Candela attracted thousands of people each night. They were joined by performances from Samuel Vélez, Baraka & Ana Soto, Kiko Peña, Juan José Alcántara, Acontratiempo and the Orquesta Roma, which maintained a festive atmosphere throughout the week.
Programming for everyone and traditions that remain alive
The fair was not just about music. The traditional opening speech and the lighting of the decorations marked the start of festivities that included parades of giants and big-heads, dance shows, performances from local academies, a children's party and a tea time dedicated to the elderly. The Children's Day, with reduced prices on attractions, and the Fried Egg and Paella Day completed an offer designed for all budgets.
One of the most applauded moments was the free horse-drawn carriage ride, which allowed dozens of people to enjoy one of the most representative traditions of the fair over several days. The Horse Parade and the IX Andalusian Harnessing Contest brought together numerous horse enthusiasts. The traditional fair bullfight, featuring a lineup led by Talavante, Juan Ortega and Roca Rey, also attracted thousands of fans.
Recognition of the exemplary behaviour of locals and visitors
The Town Hall wanted to thank the involvement of municipal workers, health services, cleaning and maintenance staff, as well as fairground operators and participating groups. “Their work has been fundamental for the proper development of the festivities,” highlighted officials from the Town Hall. Additionally, the exemplary behaviour of locals and visitors was praised, contributing to the fair taking place in an atmosphere of respect and coexistence, without notable incidents.
For Estepona residents, this fair serves as a showcase that reinforces the image of the municipality as a top tourist destination. The massive turnout not only fills the streets with joy but also leaves a significant economic impact on local businesses, hospitality and services. With these figures, the Estepona Fair consolidates itself as one of the major events of the summer on the Costa del Sol, competing with those of neighbouring municipalities like Marbella or Fuengirola.
Looking ahead to next year, the organisation is already working on new proposals to continue surprising. However, surpassing half a million visits will be a monumental challenge. But in Estepona, they know that with a quality free programme, success is almost guaranteed.
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