Marbella events

* Dia del Pescaito (Fried Fish Day) - early June, a summer seafood festival in neighbouring Torremolinos, just 58 km / 36 miles from Marbella, attracting both locals and tourists, together with beach events on the Playa de La Carihuela.

* San Bernabé Fiesta and Summer Fair - mid-June, held on the week nearest to June 11th, honouring Marbella's Patron Saint, this week-long event features bullfights in the city centre, horse and carriage rides, food and wine, and a fair ground, with many festivities based around Old Town Marbella, the Plaza San Bernabé and Alameda Park.

* Fiesta de San Juan (Feast of St. John) - mid-June, an enormous religious festival throughout Malaga, 58 km / 36 miles from Marbella, with a variety of street entertainers, large bonfires where people jump over the flames, fireworks and midnight swimming in the sea, with similar festivities held throughout Spain, including Marbella, although the festivities are on a much smaller scale.

* The Movies of Summer in your Neighbourhood - late June, the 'Nights of the Movies' festival in nearby Malaga, including many screenings of new summer films, at various cinemas and theatres around the Malaga area.

La Virgen del Carmen - mid-July, a number of towns and villages along the Costa del Sol celebrate this religious festival, including processions of fishermen, chapel masses, a fleet of fishing boats travelling to the Puerto Banús area of Marbella, and religious statues being stored in underwater caves, ending with a stunning fireworks display.

* Feria de Malaga - mid-August, one of Malaga's biggest annual events, just 58 km / 36 miles from Marbella, when the whole city parties, with fancy dress costumes, authentic Spanish music and Flamenco dancing, general street entertainment, outdoor concerts and plenty of night-long parties.

* Nuestra Senora de la Victoria Pilgrimage - mid-August, pilgrims travel to Malaga each year on horseback, and horse and carriages, to celebrate Nuestra Senora de la Victoria, their patron saint.

* Ascension of the Virgin Fair- mid-August, based in nearby Malaga, including dance tents (casetas) and a lively wine festival.

Semana Internacional de Cine (International Movie Week) - early September, based around the Puerto Banús area at the Gran Marbella complex, attracting many famous celebrities and directors promoting their films, with various screenings and awards.

* Fiestas of San Pedro de Alcántara - mid-October, held on the week around October 19th (the Patron Saint's day), when the central streets of San Pedro are decorated, with festivities and partying throughout the day and night.

* Dia de la Hispanidad / National Day Festival - October 12th, a festival celebrating the history of Spain, held at various venues around Marbella.