If you live in the area or you’re on holiday in Benalmadena Pueblo this week, you picked the perfect time to be here. The annual feria is kicking off, bringing five days of free concerts, traditional processions, and late-night street parties

What’s happening all week

Streets across Benalmadena Pueblo are getting ready to fill with music, processions and fairground lights as the Fair and Festivities in honour of Our Lady of the Cross return from Wednesday, August 12, until Sunday, August 16 2026.

Councillor for Festivities and Popular Traditions, Yolanda Pena, unveiled the programme this week, describing five days built around devotion, live music, children’s entertainment, sport and something for every generation.

“Benalmadena Pueblo is ready to live its big days,” Pena said, calling the celebration part of the town’s identity and roots, and an annual chance for residents to gather around their patron saint.

Five nights of concerts at the Los Nadales fairground

On Wednesday at Los Nadales, rides open from 8pm ahead of an official opening and lighting ceremony at 9.30pm, led by the mayor. Flamenco star La Hungara kicks things off, backed by the Rompeolas Orchestra and the group ElectroDuendes.

A different act plays each evening after that, Los Yakis on August 13, Paco Candela on August 14, Cepeda on August 15, and Javi Medina closing things out on Sunday, August 16, a date set aside as Children’s Day, with discounted ride prices. Every night rounds off with live orchestras and the group Los Papitos playing and keeping you moving until the early hours.

Daytime fair returns to Three Cultures Square

From Friday to Sunday, the Day Fair takes over this spot with free tastings of delicious traditional dishes, live performances and games for younger visitors, plus sporting and cultural events bringing neighbours, businesses and local groups together.

Religious tradition on Saturday with the feast day of Our Lady of the Cross. Mass begins at 11am at the church of Santo Domingo de Guzman, followed at 7.30pm by a procession through the streets accompanied by Malaga’s La Paz Music Band and the Bugle and Drum Band of Las Lagunas de Mijas. A floral offering and pilgrimage mass take place the evening before, on August 14, in the Wall Gardens.

Getting there and settling in

Extra parking has been arranged near Los Nadales, including the underground car park on Santos Mareca Street, plus spaces near the Buddhist stupa, Colomares Castle and the Las Moriscas area. Bus routes 103 and 107 will run later into the night, so nobody needs to worry about the journey home.

Families are especially well looked after, too: identification wristbands for children, hearing protectors, a nursing space and a reserved area for those with reduced mobility have all been laid on, so whoever you bring along, there’s a place for them.

This event is well worth a visit, its warm, inviting and full of fairground rides, food, drinks, tradition and high spirits. For more information and the full programme visit the Benalmadena Town Hall website.

A baby flamingo has been rescued from a Costa del Sol beach after being found at Playa Bonita in Benalmadena.

Benalmadena’s Beach Department helped bring the young bird to safety after it was discovered on the coastline on Tuesday, August 11. Environmental officers from the Junta de Andalucia then took charge of the chick to make sure it receives the care needed during its recovery.

Baby flamingo found at Playa Bonita

Few details have been released about how the flamingo ended up at Playa Bonita or whether it had suffered an injury. Benalmadena Town Hall has not said whether the youngster became separated from adult birds, was struggling to fly or simply needed assistance. Avoiding speculation is important while environmental officers assess the bird.

Once rescued, the chick was handed over to Junta de Andalucia environmental staff, who are responsible for dealing with protected and wild animals requiring assistance. Andalucia has a dedicated network of wildlife recovery centres for animals that are injured, sick or weakened. Their work can include initial treatment, feeding and rest before a decision is made about returning an animal to the wild.

Malaga is home to thousands of flamingos

Flamingos are particularly associated with the Reserva Natural Laguna de Fuente de Piedra in Malaga province, one of the most important breeding sites for the species in the western Mediterranean.

Junta conservation programmes also monitor and ring young flamingos at Fuente de Piedra. In 2025, around 600 chicks were ringed during an operation involving hundreds of volunteers and wildlife specialists.

Playa Bonita is a very different setting, making today’s rescue an unusual sight for beachgoers. Benalmadena Town Hall thanked everyone involved in helping the young flamingo and protecting local wildlife.

Anyone who encounters a distressed wild animal should avoid handling it unless instructed to do so by professionals, allowing trained wildlife officers to assess the situation.

For years, residents say they have endured sleepless nights, mounting stress and a constant battle to be heard. Now, with frustration reaching breaking point, they are taking their fight public.

Torremolinos neighbours accuse hotel and authorities of failing to end noise problem

Upset residents living near the popular Melia Costa del Sol Hotel in Torremolinos have issued a public statement denouncing what they describe as years of continuous noise pollution from the hotel’s air-conditioning, refrigeration and cooling systems. The declaration, published on Facebook, claims the machinery operates around the clock, generating a constant and intrusive noise that has severely affected the quality of life of those living nearby.

According to the residents, official acoustic measurements have repeatedly confirmed levels exceeding those permitted under current regulations. They state that readings have reached 59 decibels, while the maximum permitted night-time level for the area should not exceed 48 decibels, representing an alleged breach of more than 11 decibels above legal limits for residential zones.

The issue has attracted national attention through a report broadcast by Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE, which highlights the complaints from Torremolinos residents who say they are forced to endure day-and-night noise generated by a hotel refrigeration system. In interviews with the Spanish media channel, you are able to see neighbours and residents holding signs and waving banners in desperate efforts for change.

Residents cite insomnia, stress and declining wellbeing

In their statement, affected neighbours describe the situation as an “acoustic nightmare” that has persisted for years and is damaging both their health and wellbeing. Among the consequences they list are chronic insomnia, elevated stress levels, anxiety and ongoing fatigue. Residents also claim many have resorted to coping measures including earplugs, improvised soundproofing and medication, but argue these solutions are no longer sufficient.

One local comment beneath the post reflects the feelings of many supporters of the campaign, “This cannot be allowed. Rest is fundamental to life!!”

Calls for immediate action and possible legal proceedings

Residents claim that despite repeated complaints and council action, the noise has continued. They say a permanent solution has yet to be delivered, leaving neighbours to cope with the disruption year after year. As a result, the group is demanding the immediate and effective soundproofing of the hotel’s machinery, rigorous enforcement of existing noise regulations by the Town Hall and the definitive end of the alleged noise pollution affecting the neighbourhood.

The residents also warn that they are prepared to pursue administrative, civil and criminal legal action if necessary, insisting that their rights to rest, health and privacy within their homes must be protected. For many expat homeowners and long-term residents in Torremolinos, the affected neighbours feel, rest is a right, not a privilege.