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Estepona and Marbella will be dressing up for an exciting Carnival 2026, which will bring laughter, elaborate costumes and live performances to the Costa del Sol as the holiday season begins.
The Ayuntamiento of Estepona has announced an exciting two-day festival on February 7 and 8, which will appeal to all with music, satire and creativity.
Carnival troupes and drag queens entertain Saturday, 7
On Saturday, at 12pm, in Plaza Antonia Guerrero (or in the Caseta Municipal on the fairgrounds in case it rains), local carnival groups will perform: the chirigotas Menuda Noche from Estepona & San Pedro Alcantara ; the comparsa ‘El desvelo de Marbella’ ; and the anthology “Los Mejores (de nosotros casa)” of Estepona.
The evening begins with a supper. Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos starting at 7pm with the highly anticipated Gala Drag Queen Estepona 2026, offering a top prize of €1,500 along with awards for second and third places, Miss Simpatica, and several special mentions. Participants must register via galadragqueenestepona@gmail.com, with full rules available on the municipal website and bulletin board.
Carnival fancy-dress extravaganza
La Gran Noche del Disfraz will also be held concurrently. This fancy-dress extravaganza is open to all, and there are no registration fees. Scouts select the best outfits for Ninfas (Nymphs), and Momos (Carnival Kings/Queens). At 10pm, prizes will be given to individuals, groups and the best collective. At 10.30pm the night will conclude with a concert by Sotano sur, who will take you on a nostalgic journey of Spanish pop songs.
The Sunday event is geared towards families. A Gran Fiesta Infantil will take place from 12pm to 4:00pm at Caseta Municipal. This will include entertainment, bouncy Castles, and children’s costumes. The Ninfa and Momo awards for children will be presented at 2pm. This will be followed by a performance of “Los Mejores” (de nuestra casa).
Tradition of burying a sardine
At 4pm, the grand finale will be the Carnival Parade and Entierro de la Sardina at the fairground. The procession, which starts at the Caseta Municipal ends with a ceremonial burning. This year’s sardine is named “Alice”. The organizers encourage everyone to dress up and join the parade to send off the festivities in style.
It may seem like a strange Spanish tradition, but the tradition of burying a sardine is a way to close Carnival and welcome Lent. On Ash Wednesday (or the evening before), communities stage a satirical funeral procession: participants, often dressed in mourning black with humorous twists like veils or striped outfits, parade through streets carrying a large, colourful effigy of a sardine, typically a giant papier-mâché or decorated figure. Mock wailings, music, dancing and satire are all part of the procession, which is a mixture of joy and grief. The climax arrives with the symbolic “burial”—the public burning of the sardine in a spectacular bonfire, often accompanied by fireworks. This fiery ending represents purging Carnival excesses and saying goodbye to indulgence. It also purifies oneself in preparation for Lent.
Meanwhile in Marbella…
Meanwhile, Marbella’s Carnival 2026 extends over a longer period, running from 7 to 22 February, with a rich lineup of events including group competitions, children’s chirigotas contests (notably on 11–12 February), fancy-dress parades, and the highlight Desfile del Humour (Humour Parade) along Avenida Ricardo Soriano on 21 February at 5pm. The town is offering substantial prize money – up to €20,000 across costume and musical group categories – promising a combination of community spirit, satire, and street celebrations that draw both locals and those just visiting.
The Costa del Sol, with its compact and high-energy weekend programmes in Estepona and Marbella, offers plenty of chances to celebrate the pre-Lent spirit, disguise and irreverent playfulness, beginning early February 2026. These neighbouring towns offer classic Andalusian carnival magic on the coast, whether you are drawn to drag shows, chirigota humor, or the burning of the symbolic sardine. Dress up and join the crowds to start the party!
