Open Air Markets... There are a variety of open air markets held along the Costa del Sol. It is usual to find antiques, brand new ceramics, second hand books, also Moroccan leather, jewellery and wooden and metal goods. Sunday: Estepona (Marina) Fuengirola (Mosque) Malaga (Football stadium) Sotogrande (marina) Monday: Marbella Alora Torrox Tuesday: Fuengirola (feria ground) Nerja Wednesday: La Cala Estepona Thursday: Alhaurin el Grande Torre del Mar Torremolinos Friday: Arroyo de la Miel Elviria Saturday: Puerto Banus La Cala
EVENTS AUGUST 08 Malaga Feria 16-24 August One of the most passionate, vibrant and colourful anual ferias – origionaly held to celebrate the re-conquering of the city of Malaga in 1487 by the King and Queen, and is now one of the biggest street parties in Spain. Many of the revellers arrive on horseback wearing traditional dress, and join others dancing in the streets. Even in the daytime the bars and restaurants are festooned with banners and flags to leave visitors in no doubt how much this anual event means to the locals. The whole city vibrates with life and noise, and the fun continues at the fairground throughout the night. The evening celebration takes place at the fairground, and rides, sideshows and casetas jostle for position while thousands of fun seekers dance the night away to some of the best live bands in Spain. At least during one night of the feria, the attractions and sideshows open early and charge reduced prices for smaller children ensuring everyone can join in the fun. Music and Dance in Marbella in August The Marbella Convention Centre this year is hosting its programme known as “Veranos de Palacio”. This is a series of music and dance shows which cover a wide range of styles from opera and jazz to much more. In total there will be twenty shows held on Thursdays to Sunday, each week between 31 July and 31 August. Some of the highlights include Nono Garcia –flamenco and jazz, Daniel Casares – flamenco guitar. Info: 952828244 Hotel Puente Romano 24 August – Gloria Estefan in Concert. 10pm. Tickets: 902 150025 Olvera Feria 28-31 August Dominating the surrounding valleys of olive groves, Olvera´s castle and churchs epitomise the history and culture of a typical “pueble blance”. At the cross roads of Malaga, Seville and Cadiz provinces, it is one of the frontier towns over which the Moors and Christians fought for during the Moors 700 year occupation of Andalucia. One of the few untouched villages left in Andalucia. The towns anual fair “Feria de San Augustin” is a three-day long party of music, dancing, eating and drinking, enjoyed by young and old alike –visitors are made to feel very welcome to join in. There is a bullfight, and also a cattle fair during the day. Sanlucar de Barrameda horserace August 9,10,11 and 23,24,25th The Sanlucar de Barrameda horserace is one of the oldest and strangest flat race meeting in the world. The race takes place along the beach at the mouth of the river Guadalquivir every August. The racing track itself is the beach at low tide, along a length of approx 1 km. The origin of these unique races goes back to around 1845 and they have been held every hear, except for interruptions in war times. Participants are thoroughbreds not only from Spain, but also from France and the Uk. Total prize money adds up to one million euros. These were the first ever regulated horse races in Spain. Riders wear colours and caps and the distances covered are 1500 and 1800 metres – similar to that of the Derby. The Andalucians breed some of the best bloodstock in the world and many big names in the racing world participate. The races are always at dusk and low tide. Info. www.carrerassanlucar.com Setenil de las Bodegas, Cadiz 10-14 August The village celebrates its annual fair which lasts for five days. The whole village comes alive with music and dancing, lasting far into each night. There is a traditional Spanish horseshow where the best of the local well-known riders show off their magnificent Spanish Stallions with spectacular shows of high school dressage and “vaquera” cowboy dressage. Vejer de la Fronera, 10-14 August The pretty medieval hilltop town of Vejer celebrates its annual fair with fireworks from the castle, and the lovely flower-filled square with its tiled fountain is the centre of fun, dancing and singing, lasting five days and nights. El Gastor 5-7 August The old-fashioned town of El Gastor holds its annual fair, with the running of bulls each day at dawn, through the narrow cobbled streets of the village, with fireworks marking the end of each race. EVENTS SEPTEMBER 08 The Pedro Romero Fair - Ronda The Pedro Romero fair takes place each year at the beginning of September in Ronda, and centres round the famous bullring. The Goyesca-costumed bullfights are the highlight of the event; on Saturday the 6th the much anticipated traditional Goyaesque bullfight takes place, and on the Sunday there is a carriage-contest and in the evening bullfighting from horseback. The Goyesca tradition began in 1954, organised by the legendary bullfighter and good friend of Ernest Hemingway, Antonio Ordoñez, to celebrate the second centenary of the birth of Pedro Romero, the founder of modern bullfighting. Combatants dress in 18th Century costumes typical of the times of the Aragonese painter Francisco de Goya, a contempory of Pedro and his brother Jose Romero, whose portraits he painted. The custom of dressing up has continued to this day, and the Goyesca bullfight is a highlight of the Spanish social calendar - in keeping with family tradition, the event is organised by Francisco Rivera Ordoñez in honour of his grandfather Antonio Ordoñez. The bullfight is only a part of the weeklong festivities. Among other happenings, there is a contest for the Best Carriage and the competition is fierce. The horse-drawn carriages are crafted with incredible details and gilded in golden metal, the finest wood, gleaming leather, and the most beautifully polished upholstery. Ronda also hosts a number of competitions during this week of celebrations. These include the Flamenco Singing Festival and the International Music and Dancing Festival. The streets are lined with people selling arts and crafts from all over the Latin world. There is also a presentation of the “Ladies of the Goyesca” in which the beautiful clothing is highlighted. Jerez de la Frontera The historic city and sherry capital of Jerez de la Frontera puts all its best products on show during the month of September. It is a celebration of the grape harvest, with a programme of events related to wine, flamenco music, Andalucian horses and gastronomy. The show opens with a grape treading demonstration and firework display, marking the start of several weeks of free outdoor concerts and entertainments. There are also music and flamenco events both indoors and out, food and wine sampling, a gala at the Royal School of Equestrian Art, puppet shows, magic shows, theatre performances, bullfights, horseback parades and many other diversions. Among the most popular are the four free, large scale music concerts in the Alameda Vieja which attract contemporary artists to the city, and the “Tapajerez”, a competition among bars and restaurants to promote the citys famous “tapas” (traditional Spanish snacks). | 
