Starlite Gala 2026 turns Marbella into a hub of solidarity with Antonio Banderas and Michael Bublé

Marbella once again hosted one of the most special nights on its summer calendar with the Starlite Occident Gala 2026, the charity event that brings together artists, entrepreneurs and personalities from different fields every year at the Nagüeles Quarry with one shared goal: raising funds for social causes.

The event took place on Sunday, 9 August, marking its 17th edition, once again hosted by Antonio Banderas and Sandra García-Sanjuán. The evening was presented by Valeria Mazza and Bertín Osborne and welcomed guests including Michael Bublé, Melendi, Estrella Morente, Plácido Domingo, Irene Villa, Joaquín Cortés and Telma Ortiz, among others.

‘Peace & Love’ takes over the Nagüeles Quarry

The theme chosen for this year’s edition was Peace & Love, inspired by the movement of the 1960s and values such as peace, respect, freedom and coexistence.

The decoration and dress code brought that spirit to the Nagüeles Quarry, transforming Starlite’s usual concert venue into the setting for an evening entirely devoted to solidarity.

The concept also reinforced the message behind a gala that, since its creation in 2010, has sought to use culture, entertainment and the public profile of its guests as tools to support people and communities in vulnerable situations.

Antonio Banderas returns as host

One of the central figures of the evening was once again Antonio Banderas, who returned in person after taking part remotely in the previous edition due to professional commitments.

The date also had a special meaning for the Málaga-born actor. The event continued until midnight, when Banderas celebrated his 66th birthday, a tradition that has become closely associated with this summer gathering in Marbella.

Plácido Domingo joined the celebrations on stage before hosts, award winners and guests marked the occasion together.

Banderas also once again highlighted his close connection to Málaga and the cultural and social projects he continues to develop in his home province.

Michael Bublé and Bertín Osborne surprise guests on stage

Music played a major role throughout the evening.

Performances included appearances by Juan Manuel Restrepo, Juan Peña, Los Alpresa and Bertín Osborne, alongside several surprise moments.

One of the most talked-about moments came when Michael Bublé and Bertín Osborne shared the stage for an unexpected duet, becoming one of the musical highlights of the gala.

Bublé attended the event alongside his wife, Argentine actress Luisana Lopilato, who was also among those recognised during the evening.

More than €140,000 raised at the charity auction

The traditional auction once again became one of the key moments of the Starlite Gala.

Bids for artworks, special items and exclusive experiences raised more than €140,000 from the auction alone.

Among the lots were a trip to Capri, an exclusive experience with Joaquín Cortés, several works of art and a guitar and cajón signed by artists attending the event.

A piece by Swiss artist Raymond Stuwe inspired by David Bowie reached €30,000.

Another particularly unusual lot was added spontaneously during the night: the shirt Antonio Banderas himself was wearing, painted by the actor and eventually sold for €11,000.

A gala with its focus on Venezuela

This year’s solidarity efforts also had an important international dimension.

Part of the charitable support was linked to the Venezuela Recovery and Reconstruction Fund, launched by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean following the severe earthquakes that struck the north of the country on 24 June.

The two earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, caused a major humanitarian emergency.

According to official figures compiled by the United Nations in early August, the death toll had reached 6,125 people, while tens of thousands more had required medical care.

CAF created the recovery fund just two days after the earthquakes to support both the immediate emergency response and the longer-term reconstruction process.

During the Starlite Gala, Telma Ortiz also drew attention to the importance of maintaining support once the initial media focus on a disaster begins to fade, stressing the need to move from emergency relief towards long-term reconstruction.

Niños en Alegría and Lágrimas y Favores

The gala also continues to support projects linked to Fundación Niños en Alegría and Fundación Lágrimas y Favores.

Niños en Alegría develops educational projects in Mexico aimed especially at children and families with fewer resources. According to the Starlite Foundation, more than 75,000 children have benefited from its work.

Lágrimas y Favores, created by Antonio Banderas, supports a range of social initiatives in Málaga and collaborates with projects including scholarship programmes for young students.

The gala has therefore become one of the main platforms for fundraising and increasing the visibility of the social initiatives supported by the Starlite Foundation.

Estrella Morente, Plácido Domingo and Luisana Lopilato among the award winners

Another major moment of the evening was the presentation of the Starlite Solidarity Awards 2026, which recognise personalities who have used their careers or public influence to support cultural and social initiatives.

Among those honoured was Estrella Morente, recognised for helping turn flamenco into an expression of identity and culture with international reach.

Also receiving awards were Plácido Domingo, actress Luisana Lopilato, Venezuelan businessman and lawyer Jorge Neri, communicator and entrepreneur Eglantina Zingg and businessman Enrique Riquelme.

Music, gastronomy, live performances, awards and a major charity auction once again came together at the Nagüeles Quarry, showing that Starlite extends far beyond its well-known summer concert programme.

After seventeen editions, the gala once again places Marbella and the Costa del Sol at the centre of one of the summer’s leading philanthropic events, combining entertainment and social commitment in one of the most recognisable venues of the Marbella season.

The date, venue, hosts and full details of the 17th edition can be found on the official Starlite Occident Gala 2026 page from Fundación Starlite.