Looking for the best things to do in Costa del Sol this week? From 14 to 20 September 2026, the Costa del Sol offers a completely different atmosphere from the busy summer months.

The huge July and August concerts are mostly behind us. Instead, September brings local festivals, free cultural activities, wellness experiences, exhibitions and events that make it easier to experience another side of the region.

This week, Marbella hosts more than 50 free wellness activities, Estepona welcomes the Costa del Sol Manga Festival, and Fuengirola combines cinema with two fascinating evenings dedicated to space exploration.

Here are our Costa Card picks for the upcoming week.

Editor's Picks This Week

Best Event: World Wellness Weekend – Marbella

Best Family Event: Festival Manga de la Costa del Sol – Estepona

Best Free Cultural Experience: Italian Culture Day – Estepona

Best Evening Activity: Flamenco & Spanish Dance – Estepona

Best Free Film: Soul of the Ocean – Fuengirola

Best Free Educational Experience: NASA & Space Exploration Talks – Fuengirola

Best Live Music: The Stolen Gnomes – Estepona

World Wellness Weekend Takes Over Marbella

When: 17–20 September 2026
Where: Marbella, Nueva Andalucía & San Pedro Alcántara
Activities: More than 50
Admission: Many activities are free

One of the biggest new additions to our list of things to do in Costa del Sol this week is the World Wellness Weekend.

From Thursday to Sunday, Marbella hosts more than 50 free activities dedicated to health and wellbeing at different locations across Marbella, Nueva Andalucía and San Pedro Alcántara.

The initiative forms part of the international World Wellness Weekend and is designed to make wellness accessible to residents and visitors.

Expect activities connected to exercise, relaxation, healthy living and general wellbeing.

It is a particularly good option if you want to balance beach days, restaurants and sightseeing with something more active.

The event also shows another side of Marbella. Beyond luxury hotels, beach clubs and nightlife, the city increasingly positions itself as a destination for health, outdoor living and wellness.

Costa Card tip: Check the programme before visiting. Activities take place at different locations rather than one central festival site.

Festival Manga de la Costa del Sol

When: 18–20 September 2026
Where: Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos, Estepona

Anime, manga and gaming fans should head west this weekend.

The Festival Manga de la Costa del Sol returns to Estepona from Friday 18 until Sunday 20 September.

The festival brings together cosplay competitions, videogame tournaments, exhibitors and activities inspired by Japanese pop culture. It has developed into one of the Costa del Sol's main annual meeting points for manga and anime fans.

For families with teenagers, this is one of the strongest things to do in Costa del Sol this week.

It also offers a useful indoor alternative if you want a break from the beach.

Address: Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos, Avenida Litoral, Estepona

Experience Italian Culture by the Sea

When: Saturday 19 September
Time: 17:00–22:00
Where: Paseo Marítimo – Monumento a la Peseta, Estepona

One of our favourite free additions this week is Compartiendo Culturas.

Estepona is home to residents from many different countries. This new programme celebrates those international communities through several cultural days.

Saturday is dedicated to Italian culture.

The event takes place beside the Paseo Marítimo from 17:00 until 22:00. It is designed as an accessible way to discover another culture while enjoying an evening beside the Mediterranean.

Further editions later in September will focus on British and Ukrainian culture.

Combine the event with an afternoon in Estepona Old Town and stay around the seafront for sunset.

Flamenco, Spanish Dance & Ballet in Estepona

When: Tuesday 15 September
Time: 21:30
Where: Parque El Calvario, Estepona
Admission: Free

Tuesday evening offers a more traditional Spanish experience.

Dance studio La Milana, directed by Gemma Sánchez, presents an outdoor performance combining flamenco, classical Spanish dance, modern dance and classical ballet.

Admission is free.

For international visitors, events like this are often among the most enjoyable ways to experience local culture. They are smaller and less commercial than the large flamenco productions aimed specifically at tourists.

Arrive early, explore Estepona and enjoy the performance after dinner.

Watch Soul of the Ocean in Fuengirola

When: Tuesday 15 September
Time: 20:00
Where: Casa de la Cultura Manuel Delgado Perea, Fuengirola
Admission: Free until full capacity

Looking for a quieter evening?

Fuengirola screens Soul of the Ocean in its original language with subtitles on Tuesday evening.

The screening is organised in collaboration with Bioparc Fuengirola and admission is free until the venue reaches capacity.

It is a useful alternative for families, nature lovers and anyone looking for a cultural activity away from the busier coastal areas.

Address: Avenida Juan Gómez Juanito 12, 29640 Fuengirola

From Apollo to Artemis: Discover the Future of Space Travel

When: Wednesday 16 September
Time: 19:30
Where: Casa de la Cultura Manuel Delgado Perea, Fuengirola
Admission: Free

Wednesday offers one of the week's most unusual free activities.

Professor Valeriano Claros Guerra presents the conference From Apollo to Artemis: NASA Returns to the Moon to Stay.

The presentation looks at the evolution from the historic Apollo programme towards NASA's current Artemis programme and humanity's renewed ambitions for lunar exploration.

Admission is free until capacity is reached.

For families with older children, science enthusiasts or simply curious travellers, this is a surprisingly interesting addition to your holiday itinerary.

Learn About Human Spaceflight

When: Thursday 17 September
Time: 19:30
Where: Casa de la Cultura Manuel Delgado Perea, Fuengirola
Admission: Free

Fuengirola continues its space theme one day later.

On Thursday, Jesús Jiménez Ibáñez presents Human Spaceflight: Evolution, Objectives and Technological Challenges.

Together with Wednesday's NASA presentation, these two evenings create a small but distinctive science programme in Fuengirola.

Both conferences are free.

If the weather is still hot during the afternoon, combine the presentation with a late beach session before walking towards the town centre.

The Stolen Gnomes Live in Estepona

When: Friday 18 September
Time: 20:00
Where: Huber Art & Food, Calle San Antonio 27, Estepona
Tickets: €20

Want live music without attending a huge festival?

The Stolen Gnomes perform at Huber Art & Food on Friday evening.

Their sound combines Irish and Celtic fusion with soul, blues, roots and pop-rock, creating something completely different from the flamenco and Spanish pop that dominate many Costa del Sol programmes.

The smaller venue also makes this a more intimate musical experience.

Combine it with dinner or drinks in Estepona Old Town.

Discover Three Art Exhibitions in Estepona

September is also a good month for art lovers.

At Casa de las Tejerinas, visitors can discover the photography and art exhibition Homenaje a Mario Algaze, based on the private collection of Jorge Reynardus.

The painting exhibition Los cambios en el horizonte by Aga Strauss also remains open until 23 September.

Meanwhile, De la Figura a la Materia by Alejandro Hermann can be visited at Mirador del Carmen until 19 September, making this week your final opportunity.

Admission to De la Figura a la Materia is free.

These exhibitions are easy to combine with a walk through Estepona's attractive Old Town.

Gypsy Jazz on Saturday Night

When: Saturday 19 September
Time: 20:00
Where: Huber Art & Food, Calle San Antonio 27, Estepona
Tickets: €20

Saturday brings another musical option to Estepona.

Corkery Hot Club performs an evening of gypsy jazz at Huber Art & Food.

If the Manga Festival or Italian Culture Day isn't your style, this provides a completely different evening option without having to leave Estepona.

Dance for a Good Cause in Fuengirola

When: Saturday 19 September
Time: 19:00
Where: Palacio de la Paz, Fuengirola
Donation: €8

Fuengirola's Bailando para recordar combines entertainment with a good cause.

The dance performance marks World Alzheimer's Day and raises funds for AFA Fuengirola-Mijas.

It takes place at Palacio de la Paz on Saturday evening.

For visitors staying around Fuengirola, Los Boliches or Mijas Costa, it offers another local alternative to the region's commercial tourist attractions.

San Miguel Sports Weekend in Torremolinos

September also means that Torremolinos is gradually building towards its famous Feria de San Miguel.

Several sporting events take place this week.

The San Miguel tennis tournament runs during the week at the Villa Deportiva.

On 19 and 20 September, padel players compete in the San Miguel tournament.

Then, on Sunday 20 September from 17:00 to 21:00, Plaza Blas Infante hosts a 3x3 basketball tournament.

These events are primarily aimed at participants, but they also signal that one of Torremolinos' biggest annual celebrations is getting closer.

The main Feria de San Miguel follows later in September.

Plan Your Week on the Costa del Sol

Monday 14 September
Enjoy a quieter beach day, explore Málaga Old Town or discover a Costa Card activity.

Tuesday 15 September
Choose between Soul of the Ocean in Fuengirola and free flamenco and dance in Estepona.

Wednesday 16 September
Learn about NASA's return to the Moon in Fuengirola.

Thursday 17 September
Start World Wellness Weekend in Marbella or attend the second space conference in Fuengirola.

Friday 18 September
Visit Festival Manga in Estepona or see The Stolen Gnomes live.

Saturday 19 September
World Wellness Weekend, Italian Culture Day, Festival Manga, gypsy jazz or Bailando para recordar.

Sunday 20 September
Final day of World Wellness Weekend and Festival Manga, or visit Torremolinos for the San Miguel sports programme.

Costa Card Local Tip

Mid-September is an excellent time to explore the Costa del Sol.

Temperatures are generally still suited to the beach, while the intense July and August crowds begin to decrease.

That makes it easier to combine several experiences in one day.

Spend the morning sightseeing or enjoying an activity, relax at the beach during the afternoon and discover one of the local events after sunset.

Also consider exploring beyond the coastline. White villages such as Mijas Pueblo offer a completely different perspective on the region.

Discover More with Costa Card

From manga and wellness to flamenco, science, art and live music, 14–20 September demonstrates how diverse the Costa del Sol remains after the peak summer season.

And there is much more to discover beyond this week's temporary events.

With Costa Card, explore selected attractions and activities across Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella and Estepona while enjoying exclusive discounts.

Choose your day card or week card and experience more during your stay.

Costa Card – Experience more, pay less.