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Marbella San Bernabe Fair

Every year at the beginning of June, Marbella pays homage to its patron saint San Bernabe (Saint Bernard) with a weeklong fair. The Marbella féria includes all the traditional elements of an Andalusian fair: food, drink, dancing, entertainment and of course, the trademark “casetas” that are set up just for the fair.

The actual date of the Marbella fair is determined by San Bernabé Day, which is June 11th. This is always a local holiday and the fair takes place during the first or second week of June depending on where the 11th falls and how the Town Hall thinks it best fits with all the festivities. The 2008 Marbella Fair therefore, centred around the second week of June running officially from June 9th to the 15th.

The fair itself generally receives an official inauguration the Sunday before the Monday when all the activity really starts. On Monday night everyone heads for the beach near the emblematic El Fuerte Hotel (one of the oldest in town) to see the fireworks before diving in to a full scale feria frenzy the next day. From there, you can expect the “day fair” to take over the old part of Marbella and the “night fair” (féria de noche) to be held outside of town near the La Cañada shopping centre. Bus service connects the city centre with all the action on the outskirts. To really experience the Marbella Fair in style you might like to dress in authentic flamenco fashion. Ask your way to a shop selling “trajes de gitano” in the old town and you are sure to find someone who can deck you out like a native. Do be advised that flamenco dresses run into the hundreds of euros.

However, as an alternative you can purchase a simple black lycra flamenco style skirt – the ones used in dance classes and some performances – and then combine it with a lycra flamenco-style body suit (they come with ruffles on the sleeves). Wear this outfit with your hair slicked back, strategically placed flowers, large plastic ear rings, necklaces and bracelets, artfully applied makeup – and don’t forget the flamenco shoes – and you’ll be ready to sing and dance with the rest of them (for a fraction of the cost of dressing in full flamenco gear)!