La Feria de San Bernabé is a festive week long fair that brings peoples (and work!) are cast to one side for the locals. Schools are on holiday,  from all around the world together each June in celebration of Marbella’s town saint, San Bernabé. It is a time of year that all worriebusinesses shut down and the working world is asleep while the town centre and fairgrounds are abuzz with activity from noon to dawn.

This colourful event is a riotous combination of flamenco, typical dances of Andalusia, bullfighting, parades of horse carriages and music for the young and old. Yet, it is on June 11th that the towns people of Marbella comes alive to pay homage to the life of San Bernabé.

According to the Biblical legend, Saint Bernabé gave money to the Apostles to distribute to the poor. Born with the birthname of Joseph, it was after this generous act that the apostles awarded him the name San Bernabé which means “he who makes an effort” or “he who encourages others”. The Bible in the book of the Facts of the Apostles, praises Bernabé as such: “Bernabé was a good, full man of faith and Spirito Santo”.

San Bernabé continued assisting the poor throughout his lifetime and thus became a legend in the villages that he visited. It is this great saint that Marbella has adopted as their patron saint centuries ago and he who Marbella pays homage to on the designated day of June 11th.

San Bernabe definitely takes center stage in the Marbella feria each June but, in fact, there is an additional event that is also being celebrated during these festivities. It is the Commemoration of the Christian Conquest, a significant turning point in the history of Marbella, and of Southern Spain.

On the 11th of June they remember the final defeat of the Arabs in this area in the year 1485. This was led by the Spanish monarchs Isabel and Ferdinand, known as Los Reyes Católicos, who expelled the Arabs and regained control of the kingdom. The resulting significance was the change of Muslims ruling to a Christian ruling. On June 11th locals place lights on balconies and in doorways in remembrance of this day.

What feria would be complete without a grandiose procession? On this day, the 11th of June, the masses of spectators take to the shaded streets to stand and await the patron saints image which slowly and majestically makes its way through the town, carried on the shoulders of important townspeople. There are two separate processions; one in the morning to commemorate the Reconquista, or Reconquest and in the afternoon, there is another procession in honour of San Bernabé.

To the town of Marbella, this is their time to shine, to present to all the visitors from near and far the importance and glory of their town’s history. The music, dance, food and events are all just one way to show their pride in Marbella. Their enthusiasm is contagious and everyone leaves the La Feria de San Bernabé a bit exhausted and a bit better.

One of the most popular beach destinations on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain is Marbella which is home to many of the rich and famous. The wonderful Spanish sun and Mediterranean beaches attribute to much of its desirability amongst visitors. It is a great town that is buzzing with activity but, at the same time, the city center has retained its unique Spanish charm and tranquility.

Marbella’s origins date all the way back to 1600 BC, when it was founded by the Romans and called “Salduba”. In the year 711, the Moors invaded and conquered much of the Iberian Peninsula and under their rule Marbella became a prosperous town called “Marbi-la”.

Throughout its long history Marbella has offered its visitors a typical Andalusian style village, with narrow cobbled streets, charming whitewashed houses, historical town squares decorated with sweet smelling orange trees and the warm blue Mediterranean lapping at its beaches. A paseo (stroll) through the lovely Alameda (park) and Marbella’s promenade, Paseo Maritimo, will give you a good idea of the town’s quaintness and history.

La Feria de San Bernabé in June (7th-13th) is the grandest and most popular fair in Marbella, drawing as many as a million visitors from near and far. The fair celebrates and pays homage to the town’s patron saint, San Bernabé, June 11th being the official feast day. Additionally, Marbella remembers this week as the Commemoration of the Christian Conquest. The lively day includes two processions: one for the Reconquista (Reconquest) and one for San Bernabé.

This colorful feria is a lively combination of bullfighting, flamenco music, traditional dances of Andalusia, parades of horsemen and music for the young and old. For one week Marbella will be awash with makeshift bars, frilly flamenco dresses and major partying from noon until dawn. The Feria only comes to Marbella once a year, but boy do they make the most of it!

Head to the Old Town and lose yourself in the labyrinth of streets for a round of tapas, fino and dancing. Join the enthusiastic groups singing and clapping on every street corner, and soak up the festival frenzy hanging in the air. Dancing horses and their elegant riders trot gracefully through the streets. Feria goers who really want to get into the spirit of the “feria” dress up in their finery, the men in “traje de corto” (short jacket, tight trousers and boots) and the women in “farales” (flamenco style dress).

This is a time of year that all worries (and work!) are cast to one side for the locals of Marbella. Schools are on holiday, businesses shut down and the working world is asleep. For this reason, all of Marbella anxiously gathers on the Paseo Marítimo to await the impressive display of fireworks which officially kicks off the feria …..let the party begin!

Each day starts at 9am with a bang as rockets call for the attention of everyone to start the party. The Day time Fair gets going around noon (until 7pm) as thousands of people parade through the Alameda gardens and around the cobbled streets of Old Town. The Alameda, Avenida del Mar, Plaza de los Naranjos and the squares and of the old town are filled with the lively mood of fiesta. Strangers shake hands to show their friendship, toast each other with a glass of fino, and continue celebrating with a few new friends.

Even the crème de la crème of Spanish society, aristocracy, politicians, actors and artists parade through the town in traditional Andalusian horse carriages….it is a real “who’s who” spectacle.

As evening falls, the action moves to the Fair Ground where people of all ages spin around on the rides, eat cotton candy and enjoy the blend of music, dancing and laughter. The locals set up marquees known as casetas, people socialise, eat typical Andalusian dishes and drink, sing and dance sevillanas to celebrate San Bernabé. Each caseta is like an individual party where fino and manzanilla are served with plenty of chat and good cheer.

Famous Spanish artists are invited to entertain the thousands of feria visitors. You will have the opportunity to see and hear the likes of Niña Pastori, Diane Navarro, Ecos del Rocío, Queco, Junior, La Mala Rodríguez, Hakim, Melody, David Civera and José Mercé…..just to name a few. Concerts are held in Plazas José Palomo and Los Naranjos in the Old Town, and in the Alameda Park and at the Municipal Pavillion and new marquee tent at the feria grounds which holds an impressive 13,000 people. Best of all, these concerts are generally free, but arrive early to make sure you can find a spot.

The Marbella feria has an impressive program of bullfighters that appear to wow the audience with their fluid movements and bravado. Crowds cheer on the likes of toreros Manuel Diaz El Cordobes, Francisco Rivera Ordoñez and David Fandila. If you are a fan of the corrida, you will not be disappointed by the bullfights presented at this feria in the lovely Plaza de Toros El Toreo.

The Feria de San Bernabe is becoming increasingly international and attracting more visitors than ever before. That is because it is such a great atmosphere of jubilant crowds all there for the same reason, to have a good time. The great hospitality, great food and activities of Marbella keep people coming back from one year to the next.

The Marbella fair is better known as the “Feria de San Bernabé”. If you are coming to Marbella in the first two weeks in June you won’t be able to miss it. And if you live here already you’ll know about it! A whole week of sheer fun and hedonism!

San Bernabé is the patron saint of Marbella and in Spain, especially in Andalucía, the birthday of your patron saint is an excuse to party for days. And without a doubt Marbella is no exception to the rule!

There is a bit more history than this-the fair also coincides with the Christian reconquest of the city of Marbella from the Moorish hordes in 1492, in fact on the 11th of June 1492.

Lots to celebrate then! The fair starts on the first or second Sunday in June and continues until the following Sunday. A religious process starts the fair with the effigy of San Bernabé being solemnly carried to the chapel of the Santo Patron. Monday evening kicks of with the crowning of the Queens and their entourage-the “damas”.

There is normally a Juvenile Queen ( 18 years old or thereabouts) and an infantile Queen(about 8 years old). It is a great honour to be a Queen or a dama and the girls all look spectacular in their gorgeous feria dresses!

This is beginning-be prepared for spontaneous and vivacious singing and dancing for the next week. Watch it, however as 2 or 3 “finos” or dry Sherries in the sun can be fatal. Better to have a tapas (snack) with each drink and then you won’t notice it so much!

The dancing is not so much Flamenco as folk dancing. Girls and women together will dance Sevillanas – but with chaps if they are around and wiling!

Sevillana dresses for the women and girls (the traditional feria or flamenco dresses) and high horse riding costumes for the blokes are definitely in but you are just as likely to see office girls in their working clothes letting their hair down dancing vigorously with each other as well. Everything goes as long as the spirit is right.

In the evening the fairground (Recinto Ferial) with all its attractions is the place to be. Here the music is louder and all the fun of the fair is to be had. One sad note only – please make sure your bag is done up and don’t take more money than you intend to spend and then you can’t loose more than you would have done anyway!

Leave the credit cards behind! Not just your extravagance but the presence of the inevitable pickpockets. We won’t mention them again.

Music is all important during the fair and big names are contracted every year to play in the bull ring and in the plazas (squares) in the old town. Previous names have included “Andy and Lucas” and Hakim (harking back to the town’s Arabic roots!)

Many other activities take place during the fair. There is a regatta, football and tennis tournaments and of course bullfighting on the final Sunday. Horses are an important part of the fair as well with a traditional Romeria (horses and small horse drawn carriages and carts) procession to the Chapel as well. A very colourful and traditional sight!

Rockets announce the beginning of the fair each day and the end of the fair is marked by a fantastic firework exhibition! Altogether a week not to be missed!

In time honored Andalusian tradition, Marbella brings out its party spirit to celebrate the town patron, San Bernabé in their Feria de San Bernabé from around June 7th-13th.

This feria will give you a true flavor of Marbella in more ways than one. You will see and hear the traditional music of Andalucia, eat the authentic dishes of the area and drink the local wines.

It is a time to forget the daily routine and fling your self into the festivity of the feria. Don’t miss out on Marbella’s best party of the year!

Your senses will likely be over-stimulated as you walk (or dance) down the shaded Alameda or in the Old Town by the myriad of sights, sounds and smells. Follow the Spanish ladies in the colorful gypsy dresses to the local hotspots and treat yourself to a taste sensation.

The fantastic food found in Marbella should not be missed……quite the contrary, you should take advantage of the opportunity to sample the wide variety of traditional tapas, meals and drinks.

Paella being made in a huge paella dish at the Marbella Feria

The locals usually set up booths in the old town during the day and tents known as “casetas” at the evening fairgrounds. People from around the world gather there to socialise, eat typical Andalusian dishes such as Pescaito Frito (a mix of small fried fish), Jamon Serrano (cured ham), Manchego cheese and Chroizo (rich Spanish sausage), Ajoblanco (chilled garlic soup with almonds, bread, oil and vinegar), Gazpacho (chilled tomato, garlic and vegetable soup), and Paella are also amongst the local specialties that you will see in abundance at the feria.

Another Marbella specialty is grilled sardines….if you are a fish lover, definitely try these.

Your afternoon snack of tapas or your evening meal of fried fish will not be complete without a glass of classic Spanish Sherry, fino and manzanilla being the most popular.

Though sherry is drunk regularly by all Spaniards, during feria time it is obligatory! Another signature drink during feria is “Rebujito”…..a refreshing (but lethal) combination of fino and sprite served in a (supersized) plastic cup to bring along with you on your paseo (stroll) through the fair grounds.

If the music doesn’t get you up and dancing, this drink will!

Whilst you are indulging in the delectable tidbits, make sure to visit as many activities and events at La Feria de San Bernabé as you can. The Day time Fair gets going around noon as thousands of people parade through the Alameda gardens and around the cobbled streets of the Old Town.

There is music with a wide range of appeal in the shows for children, teens and adults…… everything from dance contests, singing contests, comedy shows as well as traditional, international and pop music shows. You can see the handsome bullfighters displaying their grace and bravery at the popular Corrida de toros (bullfights) both during the day and evening.

During the evenings there is much to be seen at the Marbella Feria fair. Lots of rides to be enjoyed by young and old!

As evening falls, the action moves to the Fair Ground where kids spin around on the rides, eat hot dogs and adults enjoy the exhilirating blend of music, dancing and laughter.

If you haven’t been to a feria in Spain, the night feria can be a bit daunting. With the glow and flashing of lights, the ringing of bells and the booming music, you may end up walking in circles. Lines of casetas (as many 80-100) cover the fairgrounds apart from the rides and games.

Each caseta is distinctive in some way, usually catering either to teens or adults. If your preference is flamenco, there will be no shortage of choices, if it is pop music these are abundant as well.

The same is true for food types, some casetas offer more fish dishes and others offer Spanish specialties such as paella or tapas for a light snack. Each caseta is like an individual party cheerfully decorated with colorful paper decorations dangling from the tent tops with dancing and singing, a bar where fino and the lighter manzanilla are served with plenty of chat and good cheer.

There are several processions during the day and the evening

The highlight for all the locals comes on June 11th when true significance of the feria takes to the street in the form of two processions. The first is in remembrance of the Commemoration of the Christian Conquest and the second is to pay homage to the town Saint, San Bernabé.

If you need a break from all the high energy atmosphere of Marbella’s feria, you are in the right place. You can easily find a solitary spot on the luxurious beaches to recuperate or take a day or ½ day drive out of Marbella either inland or further along the coast to catch a glimpse of another white village, equally inviting and worthwhile.

You have the lovely towns of Malaga, Ronda, Torremolinos and Estepona all within a one-hour drive…just to name a few. Then you can return with to the feria rejuvenated and ready practice your newly learned Sevillana dance moves!

Bring out the flamenco dress and head for the Old Town – it’s Feria time in Marbella! Those from Andalucia or, in fact, anyone who really wants to enter into the spirit of the “feria” dress up in their finery. Enthusiastic Spaniards dance through the streets in their best feria dresses and inspire the uninspired to get up and dance and participate in the lively party!

The traditional Spanish gypsy form of dress is the trademark image of Andalusia, and even of Spain, an image of provocative romance. The flamboyant and sexy Flamenco dresses that the Spanish women take such pride in are called “Trajes de farales”, always brightly colored with many layers of ruffles in the skirt and sleeves that swish around as they walk and dance.

A large shawl called a manton is often worn too, intricately hand embroidered with floral patterns. With or without ruffles, polka dots (lunares) or flowers the trajes are always bold and beautiful.

Rich reds, purlples, greens and turquoise contrast against the striking black hair of many Spanish women. Women take great care in their fiesta dresses and equal care with their matching accessories of large earrings and choice of combs and carnation flowers that adorn their hair.

Though the dresses virtually cover a woman from neck to foot, it seductively hugs the beautiful their figures. It is hard to believe that women can dance Flamenco so expressively and aggressively with these restrictive outfits. Thus, adding to the drama and beauty of the dance.

Legend says that when the gypsies originally migrated to Spain, some five centuries ago, they arrived in this manner of dress. Though slight transformations have appeared stylistically, the style has virtually remained unchanged.

Andalucia has a history rich of romanticized stories of bandoleros (rebels/theives) and vaqueros (cowboys) riding through the arid plains and Sierra Nevadas sleeping in caves along the way. The vaqueros have a distinct costume known as the “traje corto” which is short jacket worn with thight highwaisted pants, white shirt, coloured waistband, boots and the notable wide brimmed hat known as the sombrero de alanche.

The famous bandoleros where the similar highwaisted pants and top but with famous red bandana tied around their head. At the local feria you still will see horsemen dressed in this attire with their beautifully adorned horses.

Midday at the fair is the perfect place to stare at all the beauties from Marbella dressed so elegantly in gypsy dress. The streets are a kaleidoscope of all the colors of the rainbow flowing like a river. Age makes no difference whatsoever, everybody sings and dances. Grace and happiness flow all over the place.