Firefighting equipment at Donkey Dreamland bought with community funds. Credit: DD

Fundacion Sierra Blanca held its third annual charity gala on June 25 at La Cabane Marbella, with Antonio Banderas attending as special guest for the third year in a row.

Who was at the charity gala

The incredibly talented Dani Garcia catered the dinner, as he has done for every edition since the gala began in 2024. Lidia Torrent presented the evening, and journalist Ingrid Betancor conducted the charity auction. Guests included business leaders, local officials, and figures from sport and entertainment.

Where does the money go raised from the evening

Funds raised on the evening go towards very special social projects run by Fundacion Sierra Blanca and its partner organisations. This year’s beneficiaries were –

Caritas Marbella – poverty relief and social support
Ciudad de los Niños – care homes for children without stable family support
Despertar Sin Violencia – support for victims of domestic violence
Fundacion Gasol – founded by Pau Gasol, tackles childhood obesity through healthy habits
Fundacion Cesare Scariolo – founded by basketball coach Sergio Scariolo, supports children with cancer and their families
Fundacion Jose Luis Martin Lopez – funds scholarships and support for young people and vulnerable groups
Fundacion Lagrimas y Favores – Banderas’ own charity, funding university scholarships and social projects in Málaga

Official sponsors this year included Bentley Marbella, Banco Santander, Sacyr, and Hospital Recoletas Salud Marbella.

Previous successful galas

Fundacion Sierra Blanca’s first gala, held in 2024, raised more than and incredible €350,000. Its second, in 2025, raised more than €500,000 through an auction that included private dinners with Dani Garcia and sporting experiences with Rafael Nadal. A final total for the 2026 gala has not yet been published.

Praise from the Mayor

Marbella Mayor Angeles Muñoz thanked Banderas for attending and credited Pedro Rodriguez, president of the foundation, and his family for organising the event. She said participation and social impact have grown each year since the gala started.

Fundacion Sierra Blanca was founded by the family behind luxury developer Sierra Blanca Estates. The gala also included live music, surprise performances, and a raffle, in keeping with previous years.

Cuban music, dance and cuisine will fill the Plaza Picasso in Torremolinos this month as the Little Cuba Food and Culture Festival, (Festival Gastro-Cultural “La Pequeña Cuba”) returns with a new date and schedule.

New dates and times confirmed for colourful festivities

Organisers have announced a change to the original schedule, with the festival now running across four consecutive days from Thursday, July 9 right through to Sunday, July 12. Doors open at 4pm each afternoon and festivities continue until midnight, giving visitors plenty of time to sample the atmosphere and get into the Cuban swing.

What’s on offer for guests to enjoy

Guests can enjoy live music, folk dancing, animation and a DJ keeping the party going throughout each fun filled day. Cuban rum cocktails, mojitos and piña coladas will be served with cold crisp Bucanero and Cristal beers, giving visitors a genuine taste of the island. Every evening between 7:30pm and 8:30pm, free face painting will be available for children for the little ones to get in the spirit of the festival not just the adults.

Daily drinks deals worth remembering

Guests will appreciate the daily drinks offers, with all cocktails costing just five euros, with beers and tinto de verano’s priced at one euro each. San Miguel is collaborating on the drinks side of things, ensuring a steady supply throughout the four-day run.

The people behind the event

Asociacion Cubanos Unidos Torremolinos has organised the festival, working in partnership with Torremolinos Town Hall. Their aim is to bring authentic Cuban flavour, tradition and culture to the Costa del Sol for locals and tourists to enjoy together. Dancers in traditional dress, Caribbean rhythms and street food will all come as one, to bring a slice of Havana to Andalucia.

A festival for all to enjoy

Families, couples and groups of friends are all welcome, with the event advertised as suitable for every age group. Plaza Picasso’s central location makes it easy to reach on foot or by public transport, and the extended evening hours mean visitors can drop in after dinner or make a full afternoon of it.

Whether you live close by or are visiting on holiday, if you fancy a change, you can head to the Plaza Picasso for four days of Cuban culture, cocktails, live music and dancing.

For more information visit the Torremolinos Town Hall website