Marbella’s Popular Moraga 2026: 1,700 kilos of free sardines across four beaches on 17 September

Marbella will once again fire up the espetos for one of the most popular nights at the end of summer. On Thursday, 17 September 2026, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the 13th edition of the Popular Moraga, a free public event bringing food and live music to four different beaches across the municipality.

The celebration will begin from 8:00 pm, with one of Málaga’s most iconic seaside dishes taking centre stage: grilled sardines.

Around 1,700 kilos of sardines are expected to be served free of charge, accompanied by 1,000 kilos of chopped tomato salad, bread and drinks.

Where will Marbella’s Popular Moraga take place?

One of the distinctive features of the event is that it will not be concentrated on a single beach.

The celebration will take place simultaneously at four locations:

• La Salida Beach, in San Pedro Alcántara
• Levante Beach, in Puerto Banús
• La Venus Beach, in Marbella
• Real de Zaragoza Beach, in Las Chapas

Activities at all four locations will begin from 8:00 pm on Thursday, 17 September.

1,700 kilos of sardines cooked on traditional espetos

The main attraction of the evening will be instantly recognisable to anyone familiar with summers on the Costa del Sol.

The local Fishermen’s Association will supply the sardines and prepare them using the traditional espeto method, skewering the fish and cooking them slowly beside the fire.

Approximately 1,700 kilos of sardines will be handed out for free, reflecting the large turnout the event usually attracts.

The sardines will be served alongside around 1,000 kilos of chopped tomato salad, as well as bread and drinks.

The food is at the heart of an event designed to celebrate Marbella’s historic relationship with the sea and its traditional coastal culture.

Live music beside the Mediterranean

The Popular Moraga will offer more than food.

The four beach locations will also feature live performances by local groups, turning the evening into a wider celebration by the sea.

The combination of espetos, music and open-air socialising reflects the spirit of the traditional Málaga moraga: gatherings on the beach where grilled fish, conversation and the Mediterranean were the main ingredients.

Several local venues are also collaborating with the event, including La Taberna del Alabardero, Paradise Beach, Pepe’s Bar and Siroko.

A tradition revived after the pandemic

The current Popular Moraga began in 2010 under the name ‘Tribute to Tourism and the Municipality’.

The event was created as a way of recognising both the importance of tourism to Marbella and the town’s maritime traditions.

After several editions, the celebration was interrupted, in part because of the pandemic. It finally returned in 2022 and has since regained its place on the end-of-summer calendar.

The 2026 event will mark its 13th edition.

A free way to enjoy the end of summer in Marbella

September may mark the return to routine, but the Costa del Sol usually continues to enjoy warm evenings well into the month.

The Popular Moraga takes advantage of that atmosphere by bringing tourists, residents and families together around one of Málaga’s best-known culinary traditions.

With events spread across four beaches, visitors can choose between San Pedro Alcántara, Puerto Banús, central Marbella and Las Chapas rather than heading to a single crowded location.

With 1,700 kilos of sardines, 1,000 kilos of tomato salad, live music and free access, 17 September is set to be one of Marbella’s biggest free seaside events of the week.

Full timings, participating beaches and event details can be found in the official information published by Marbella Town Hall.