Spring has arrived properly this week — and the Costa del Sol is celebrating.This weekend brings three genuinely special events: a 30-year-old multicultural street party on Torremolinos' waterfront, 12 uninterrupted hours of live music in a bullring for charity, and Andalusia's most unusual festival, where a mountain village transforms into Japan for the day. I'll be at all three. Here's everything you need to know:
TORREMOLINOS · FREE ENTRY · 30TH EDITION
XXX Jornadas del Residente
📅 Fri 17 Apr · 11:00–23:00 📅 Sat 18 Apr · 11:00–23:00 📅 Sun 19 Apr · 11:00–17:00 📍 Plaza del Remo, La Carihuela 🎟 Free
This year marks the 30th edition of one of the Costa del Sol's most heartfelt celebrations — and if you've never been, this is the year to go. Nearly 20 nationalities set up stalls along the Carihuela beachfront: food, crafts, music and dance representing Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Germany, the Netherlands, Morocco, Cuba, Ecuador, China, Chile, and more. Torremolinos is home to over 120 different nationalities — this weekend, they all come out to celebrate.
Participating associations include Argentina Costasoleña, Vive México, Killay Perú, Cubanos Unidos, Amigos de Alemania, Assadaka Marruecos and many more. Expect live folk music, dance performances, and an incredible spread of international food and drink. Entry is free, open to all ages.
MÁLAGA CITY · TICKETS REQUIRED · CHARITY FESTIVAL
Festival Soles de Málaga 2026
📅 Sat 18 Apr · 12:00–00:00 (12 hours) 📍 Plaza de Toros La Malagueta 🎟 tickety.es 🎟 entradium.com
Twelve consecutive hours of live music inside Málaga's iconic bullring — and every ticket sold goes directly to five local charities. Organised by Fundación El Pimpi under the theme Rumbo a la conquista del SOL, this seventh edition combines serious star power with genuine social impact. A nationally recognised headliner leads a packed lineup from rock veterans to local fan favourites. Carpeted standing area with shade. Food and drink at accessible prices.
Artists: Seguridad Social, Broken Peach, SuperHeavySound, Lady Shakes, Dr. No, Súper 8, Zayas, Comando G, Red Vintage Band.
Beneficiaries: AFESOL (mental health) · Nuevo Futuro (foster care) · Prolibertas (social reintegration) · Fundación Betania · ALAS Málaga (child safeguarding).
ALFARNATE, AXARQUÍA · FREE ENTRY · DAY TRIP · 5TH EDITION
Festival Sakura Alfarnate
📅 Sun 19 Apr · 11:00–20:00 📍 Plaza de la Constitución, Alfarnate 🚗 ~60 min from Torremolinos 🎟 Free
Every spring, the mountain village of Alfarnate — cherry capital of Málaga province — turns pink and white with over 1,500 cherry trees in full bloom. This unique festival celebrates that flowering through the lens of Japanese culture, drawing a direct connection between Alfarnate's cherry harvest and Japan's beloved hanami tradition. The Japanese Ambassador has attended in previous years. This edition was moved from 12 April due to weather — meaning the blossoms are at their absolute peak this Sunday.
Bon Odori dance · bonsai and ceramics exhibition · tea ceremony workshop · origami and Japanese calligraphy · shamisen and koto live music · Japanese food stalls · craft market · five giant paper sakura arches handmade by local residents · guided hiking routes through the cherry orchards.
FROM THE EDITOR:
I'll be spending the full weekend out there — Friday evening at La Carihuela sampling food from every corner of the world, Saturday,dancing inside the bullring for Soles de Málaga, and Sunday on the road to Alfarnate for the cherry blossoms. If you spot me, come say hello. And if you go to any of these events, I'd love to hear how it was — just hit reply.
❤️ Andreea, Málaga Weekend Events
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