The fifth edition of Gastromar, the food festival celebrating the flavours of the Mar Menor, will finally take place in Los Alcazares on November 6, 7 and 8, after organisers were forced to move the event forward due to forecasts of heavy rain. The festival had originally been scheduled for October and was postponed, but is now ready to impress attendees with a varied programme of culinary celebration.

Restaurants and gourmet stalls take centre stage

Gastromar 2026 will bring together 22 restaurants and 16 stalls at its gourmet market, with activities spread across several locations in town, including Plaza Manuel Floreal Menárguez and Plaza Real de la Feria. The food-based festivities will feature tastings, live cooking demonstrations, music and opportunities to discover fresh regional produce.

Rice-based traditions celebrated through live demonstrations

This year’s ambassador is Edu Torres, a fourth-generation member of the family behind Molino Roca and a prominent advocate of rice culture. Rice will take centre stage during this year’s demonstrations and culinary experiences, highlighting its importance to the region’s gastronomic traditions.

Long-awaited charity ham-cutting event supports AFA Levante

One of the highlights of the weekend will be the charity ham-cutting event in benefit of AFA Levante, an association that supports people affected by neurodegenerative diseases and their families. Taking place on Sunday, November 8, in Plaza Manuel Floreal Menarguez, the event will feature professional ham cutters demonstrating their skills. Plates of freshly sliced ham will cost €5, with all the proceeds going towards the association’s work. Around 30 ham cutters are expected to participate in this traditional solidarity event.

Family activities and entertainment throughout the weekend

Visitors can also look forward to gourmet market stalls, children’s cooking activities, food pairings and entertainment throughout this mouth-watering three-day festival. The programme will connect local food with the Mar Menor’s identity, as well as turn Los Alcazares into the Costa Calida culinary hub of choice, even during the off-peak season.

Those who purchased tickets for the original dates can keep them for the rescheduled event. With delicious food, talented chefs and a wide array of entertainment and family-friendly activities, Gastromar 2026 will be a must-attend event on the Los Alcazares autumn calendar.

A father and son have completed an extraordinary cycling challenge from the French Pyrenees to Camposol, raising funds for three local charities supporting people across the community. Paul Johnson, who owns a property in Camposol, and his son Ashley, a paramedic who lives with Paul in Jersey, set off from Laruns in southwestern France on Tuesday, October 20, cycling approximately 900 kilometres to Spain.

Father and son take on grueling 900km cycling challenge

The pair undertook the journey unaided on gravel bikes, carrying their own equipment and sleeping on the sides of roads along the way. Their challenge tested them physically and mentally, but their determination was driven by a common goal: raising money for FAST Camposol, MABS and Forget Me Not, three established and well-known local charities.

Three local charities to share funds equally

The funds raised will be divided equally between the three organisations, which provide support to vulnerable neighbours in and around the Camposol community. MABS supports people affected by cancer and their families; FAST Camposol provides emergency assistance and support to local people in need; and Forget Me Not offers help and respite to people living with Alzheimer’s and opportunities for their unpaid carers to rest.

Paul and Ashley said they wanted to give something back to the community through a challenge that would push them out of their comfort zones. They also confirmed that their own expenses for completing the ride would not be taken from the money raised for the charities.

Seven days of determination and community support

Over seven incredible days, residents followed the pair’s progress through photographs and daily updates, sharing in the highs, lows and lighter moments of their journey. The challenge brought together the endurance of a long-distance cycle ride and the bond between a father and son, with encouragement from their friends and family and determination helping them keep moving towards their destination.

Supporters welcome cyclists at Camposol finish line

The finish line was located at Bridie Murphy’s Bar in Camposol, where supporters could welcome them after their journey from France. The fundraising campaign invited people to donate or share the appeal to help the charities continue their work.

For this father-and-son team of athletes, every kilometre travelled represented an opportunity to support others and give back to a community close to their hearts.

More than 1,000 people turned the seafront of Los Alcazares pink on Sunday, October 25, as residents and visitors joined a charity march to raise funds for people in the community affected by cancer. The latest edition of Los Alcazares en Marcha contra el Cáncer, or the Los Alcazares Walk Against Cancer, attracted participants from the town and neighbouring areas. Organised by the local branch of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, or AECC, in collaboration with the town council’s Social Policy department, the march brought residents and visitors together for a cause close to the community’s heart.

More than 1,000 people join the charity march

Participants gathered at Paseo Carrión, near the Saza monument, before setting off on a five-kilometre route. The event combined exercise, solidarity and community spirit, with people of different ages taking part to show their support for cancer patients and their families.

Thanks to the march, the local community was able to raise money for the AECC’s work supporting people affected by cancer.

Gabriela Tihan, president of the AECC’s local branch in Los Alcazares, thanked participants for their generosity and enthusiasm. She explained that the funds would help the association support patients and their families, including those facing additional financial pressures during costly medical treatments. The event also received sponsorship from Caja Rural and Aqualia, whose contributions helped make the march possible.

A social day of solidarity for residents and visitors on the Costa Calida

After completing the route, participants were able to enjoy food and drinks together before the long-awaited prize draw brought the morning’s activities to a close. The event’s organisers thanked everyone who took part, along with the volunteers, sponsors and local organisations involved in delivering the march. With more than 1,000 people taking to the streets in solidarity, this year’s event demonstrated the community’s firm support for the fight against cancer, while raising funds for one of Spain’s most significant organisations dedicated to this cause.