Fuengirola throws huge street party as beloved neighbourhood fiesta turns 30

Music, dancing and free paella return to Plaza Suomi this week as Fuengirola’s Verbena de Los Pacos festival marks its 30th anniversary.

Residents of Los Pacos, together with visitors, will gather from Thursday, August 27 to Saturday, August  29 for the Verbena de Los Pacos, a fiesta that has grown from a small neighbourhood gathering into a wonderful  annual summer tradition.

Organised by the Los Pacos Neighborhood Association in partnership with Fuengirola Town Hall, this year’s celebration carries the slogan “¡Tradición que se siente!” (“Tradition you can feel”), marking three decades of an event that is very dear to locals hearts

Music and dance across the three nights

Festivities start with a bang open on Thursday, August 27 at 7pm, when La Charanga Lanz leads a musical parade through the streets of Los Pacos before arriving at Plaza Suomi. An official opening ceremony follows at 9pm, introducing the association’s new board, with performances from the Academia de Baile Juan Guerrero, singers El Niño de Peñaflor and Maribel La Caletera, and the group Una de Dos.

Friday brings more magical sounds with a tribute organised by the residents’ association, followed by the Coro Santiago choir, the association’s own dance group, and sets from Araceli Gonzalez and La Gramola.

Saturday, which is traditionally the busiest day, opens at 1.30pm with a performance from the Panda de Verdiales Raices de los Moras, before a free traditional paella is served to residents at 2pm. Younger guests will hit the stage from 7.30pm with the Chiquilindungui group and the children’s show “El Capitán Esparrago”, followed by a gymnastics display, performances from HGZ y Adri O and dance group Chassé, comedy from Diego Arjona, and a closing set from Sueño Marismeño.

A special year for the neighbourhood a well-loved fiesta

This year’s edition as particularly meaningful given the milestone, the fiesta has spent thirty years bringing neighbours together. For many families, it is a chance to reconnect, share food and pass local customs on to a new generation.

Anyone visiting Fuengirola this week or living in the local area should to head to Plaza Suomi and see for themselves why this neighbourhood celebration has lasted thirty years. With activities running each evening until 1.30am, there is plenty of time to enjoy the atmosphere and be part of the festivities. For more information visit the Fuengirola Culture website.