From August 7 to 16, the Estepona promenade will host the new edition of the World Ham Popi Contest, with tastings, professional cutters, and a free concert every night.
The Estepona promenade is preparing to host a new edition of the World Ham Popi Contest, which will take place this year from August 7 to 16. The event, declared a Festival and Event of Tourist Interest in Andalusia, will combine Iberian gastronomy with a free musical programme that will last throughout the ten nights of the contest.
The event, which in its 2025 edition brought together 65 exhibitors and over 200 professional cutters, has established itself as one of the major gastronomic proposals of the summer on the Costa del Sol. Visitors will be able to taste ham and other Iberian products while observing the work of the cutters, who will showcase their skills live.
The Estepona Town Hall has confirmed that the Ham Festival Music will offer free concerts every night starting from August 7. The programme kicks off with Bordón 4 on the 7th, followed by Justito a Tiempo on the 8th, Nolasco on the 9th, Henry Méndez on the 10th, La Frontera on the 11th, Melón Diesel on the 12th, Piratas Flamencos on the 13th, Burning on the 14th, Dani Márquez on the 15th, and Malamanera on the 16th of August, closing the contest.
The musical line-up covers styles ranging from rumba and flamenco to pop, Latin rhythms, and Spanish rock, providing a varied offer for all audiences. The organisation expects the event to attract thousands of visitors from both the province of Málaga and other parts of Andalusia and the rest of Spain.
The contest will take place in the afternoon and evening, allowing attendees to combine a stroll along the promenade with the tasting of Iberian products and live music. Entry is free, although consumption at the ham and other food stalls incurs an additional cost.
For the residents of Estepona and nearby municipalities on the Costa del Sol, Popi 2026 presents a summer leisure plan that does not require long travels. The event adds to the town's tourist offer, which sees high hotel occupancy in August.
The Town Hall has highlighted that the contest helps to boost the local economy by attracting visitors who also spend in local restaurants, shops, and accommodations. The previous edition left a significant economic impact, although specific figures for 2026 have not yet been provided.
The World Ham Popi Contest was born several years ago as an initiative to promote Iberian ham and the culture of cutting, and it has grown to become a benchmark in the summer calendar of the Costa del Sol. The declaration as a Festival and Event of Tourist Interest in Andalusia recognises its importance for the region's tourism and gastronomy promotion.
The organisers recommend arriving early to enjoy the full experience, as the promenade tends to see a large influx of people during the contest nights. Additionally, extra parking areas will be made available to facilitate access.
For those wishing to know more details about the schedules and participating stalls, the Estepona Town Hall has set up an information point on the promenade during the event days. The official contest website can also be consulted, where information will be updated.
You may also like
