What to do in Málaga and the Costa del Sol this weekend: plans from 1 to 4 October

The first weekend of October is packed with things to do across Málaga city, the Costa del Sol and Ronda. From Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 October 2026, major international events will coincide with theatre, concerts, family activities, sports competitions and traditional local festivities.

The biggest event in Málaga will be the second edition of San Diego Comic-Con Málaga, but there is plenty more going on. Teatro del Soho opens Misery, live music venues return to their autumn rhythm and La Caja Blanca adds theatre, Carnival and music to the programme.

On the Costa del Sol, Marbella concentrates much of the weekend activity, with Marbella 4Days Walking, Marbella Championship, the 40th anniversary of Marbepop, the opening of TodoDanza and the charity Marea Rosa event.

Benalmádena focuses on free cultural activities with ODSFEST, Estepona welcomes hundreds of cyclists for the Costa del Sol Gran Fondo and Ronda hosts a new edition of the Real Feria de San Francisco from Friday to Sunday.

San Diego Comic-Con turns Málaga into a pop culture capital

The biggest event of the weekend begins on Thursday 1 October and continues until Sunday 4 at FYCMA, Málaga’s Trade Fair and Congress Centre.

The second edition of San Diego Comic-Con Málaga will feature more than 300 hours of programming dedicated to film, television, comics, anime, video games, cosplay and tabletop gaming.

Confirmed guests include Karl Urban, Aya Cash, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Paul Bettany, Christopher Lambert, Denise Richards, Iñaki Godoy, Taz Skylar, Charles Martinet, John Romita Jr. and Kevin Smith, alongside artists, voice actors and other industry professionals.

Each day will feature major headline events.

Thursday includes a panel with Karl Urban and Aya Cash and a reunion of the cast of Los Serrano. Friday brings Iñaki Godoy and Taz Skylar, linked to One Piece. Saturday features one of the major Disney blocks, with Paul Bettany and content from Marvel, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation.

On Sunday, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin will appear in the From the Shire to Málaga session, while the cast of Starship Troopers will also take part in a dedicated panel.

When: 1-4 October
Where: FYCMA, Málaga
What: comics, cinema, television, gaming, cosplay, signings and activities.

‘Misery’ comes to Teatro del Soho

Anyone looking for theatre has one of the weekend’s most recognisable suspense stories on offer.

Teatro del Soho CaixaBank will stage Misery from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October, based on Stephen King’s novel later adapted for the big screen.

The production stars Carmen Conesa and Marcial Álvarez, with Alberto Vázquez completing the cast, and is directed by José Saiz.

The story follows writer Paul Sheldon after an accident brings him into the care of Annie Wilkes, a devoted fan whose apparent rescue soon becomes a nightmare.

Tickets start at around €25.

When: 2, 3 and 4 October
Where: Teatro del Soho CaixaBank
What: theatre and suspense.

Live music in Málaga on Friday and Saturday

The city’s live music calendar also offers several options over the weekend.

On Friday 2 October, Sidecars will perform at Sala París 15 at 9:00 pm.

La Caja Blanca will also host Rafa Taleguilla on Friday with a show revisiting some of the best-known songs from recent decades of the Cádiz Carnival.

On Saturday 3 October, the venue will host the II Andalusian Sacred Music Competition Ciudad de Málaga.

Historical theatre to start the weekend on Thursday

The cultural programme can begin as early as Thursday 1 October.

La Caja Blanca will host La Peste, a historical comedy by Historia Viva Málaga, set in 17th-century Málaga during one of the epidemics that affected the city.

It is a good alternative for those looking for a smaller-scale cultural event away from the crowds surrounding Comic-Con.

Marbella 4Days Walking: four days exploring the city on foot

October begins on foot in Marbella.

The 15th Marbella 4Days Walking takes place from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 October, attracting participants from several countries.

Routes begin from Plaza del Mar and combine urban areas, beachfront sections and nature.

Walkers can choose daily routes of approximately 10, 20 or 30 kilometres, and it is not necessary to take part on all four days.

The opening day focuses particularly on the coastline, while the final stage on Sunday ends with the traditional arrival along the Via Gladiolo.

When: 1-4 October
Where: starts from Plaza del Mar, Marbella
What: urban walking and 10, 20 or 30 km routes.

More than 1,500 athletes at Marbella Championship

Sports fans have another major event between Friday and Sunday.

The Marbella Championship holds its fifth edition from 2 to 4 October at Parque del Mediterráneo.

Around 1,500 athletes from more than 40 countries are expected to compete across different CrossFit categories.

The venue will include three competition zones, catering areas, recovery spaces and a fitness-related commercial area.

Some tests will also take place outside the main venue, including swimming from the beach and running along the seafront promenade.

The finals are scheduled for Sunday.

Marbella TodoDanza begins on Saturday with flamenco

The 17th edition of Marbella TodoDanza also starts on Saturday 3 October.

The opening performance will take place at 8:00 pm at Teatro Ciudad de Marbella, with the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía, under the artistic and choreographic direction of Patricia Guerrero.

The opening production, Flamenco Patrimonio, combines several flamenco styles and includes references to Granada, the Albaicín, Sacromonte and Enrique Morente.

The festival continues until 6 November.

Marbepop celebrates 40 years with eight hours of free music

Also on Saturday, Marbella revives one of its longest-running music festivals.

Marbepop celebrates its 40th anniversary on 3 October at Parque de la Represa, with live music from 4:00 pm until midnight and free admission.

The line-up combines national acts with musicians from Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara.

Among the headline names are Malmö 040, Las Dianas and La Leshe Que Mamate, alongside Skabum, Aigy, Klimax, Hizooz, Hako and Ñeco.

There will also be creative projects, local youth initiatives and a charitable component.

When: Saturday 3, 4:00 pm-midnight
Where: Parque de la Represa
Price: free.

Marbella turns pink on Sunday for breast cancer awareness

On Sunday 4 October, Marbella will hold the 14th Marea Rosa, a charity walk and race organised by the Spanish Association Against Cancer.

The start is scheduled for 12:00 noon.

The event aims to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention and early detection, with participants receiving a pink T-shirt as part of registration.

The day will finish at the Marbella Conference Centre, with a charity bar, food, music, children’s activities and inflatables.

It is one of the most family-friendly and charitable plans of the weekend.

Benalmádena hosts four days of free culture with ODSFEST

Benalmádena will host ODSFEST, the Festival of Artists for the Sustainable Development Goals, throughout the weekend.

The sixth edition runs from 1 to 4 October with theatre, dance, music, science, mural art and circus.

One of its main attractions is that all activities open to the public are free until capacity is reached.

On Friday 2 at 7:00 pm, Arroyo de la Miel Public Library will host La maleta de Federico, an interactive activity by Joni Macarroni inspired by Federico García Lorca.

On Saturday at 6:30 pm, the Exhibition Centre will host an immersive concert by Daniel Blacksmith, combining classical guitar, minimalist piano and electronic music.

On Sunday, the festival moves to Parque de la Paloma at 12:00 noon for Artes circenses por los ODS, by El Articuario, with juggling, magic and giant soap bubbles for family audiences.

A visit to the Mexican altar and Pre-Columbian Museum

Benalmádena also offers a quieter plan for Sunday morning.

The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art continues its free guided tours on Sundays at 12:00 noon.

During this period, visitors can also see the Mexican Day of the Dead altar, included in the museum’s seasonal programme.

It can be easily combined with ODSFEST at Parque de la Paloma.

Estepona hosts the Costa del Sol Gran Fondo

On Saturday 3 October, Estepona will be the starting and finishing point for one of the weekend’s major cycling events.

The Costa del Sol Gran Fondo 2026 will bring together more than 600 cyclists for a 127-kilometre route.

The start and finish will be at the Estepona Fair, Sports and Leisure Centre.

From there, riders will pass through Casares, Gaucín, Cortes de la Frontera, Jimera de Líbar, Benadalid, Algatocín and Genalguacil before tackling the climb to Peñas Blancas and returning to Estepona.

Even for non-participants, following the riders from one of the towns along the route can be a good plan for cycling fans.

Ronda celebrates the Real Feria de San Francisco

For those looking for a more traditional local festival, the place to go is Ronda.

The Real Feria de San Francisco will run from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October.

This year’s edition is particularly significant because it coincides with the Franciscan Jubilee Year and the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Friday begins with the switching-on of the lights, the opening of the El Atrio marquee, the presentation of the 2026 Queen and Mister and live music from Orquesta Virtual.

On Saturday, one of the most popular moments will be a paella from 3:00 pm, followed by live performances. The evening programme includes trophy presentations and the traditional Distinguished Resident tribute at midnight.

Sunday will focus more heavily on senior residents and the celebration of Saint Francis. A lunch for older residents is scheduled for 2:30 pm, followed by Mass at the Church of Espíritu Santo at 6:30 pm and the patron saint procession through the neighbourhood.

What to do each day: quick weekend guide

Thursday 1 October: San Diego Comic-Con Málaga begins; first day of Marbella 4Days Walking; ODSFEST starts in Benalmádena; La Peste at La Caja Blanca.

Friday 2: Comic-Con continues; Misery opens at Teatro del Soho; Sidecars at Sala París 15; Marbella Championship begins; ODSFEST activities; opening day of the Real Feria de San Francisco in Ronda.

Saturday 3: major Comic-Con panels; Marbella Championship; Costa del Sol Gran Fondo in Estepona; Marbepop 40th anniversary; Marbella TodoDanza opening; immersive ODSFEST concert; main day of the San Francisco fair.

Sunday 4: final day of Comic-Con; closing stages of Marbella Championship and Marbella 4Days Walking; Marea Rosa in Marbella; free family circus in Parque de la Paloma; final performance of Misery and Saint Francis celebrations in Ronda.

A weekend packed with culture, sport and family plans

The calendar from 1 to 4 October 2026 offers enough variety to build almost any kind of weekend across Málaga and the Costa del Sol.

Pop culture fans have four days of Comic-Con; theatre lovers can choose between Misery and smaller municipal productions; Marbella combines walking, CrossFit, live music and dance; Benalmádena offers free family-friendly culture; Estepona becomes a major cycling hub; and Ronda returns to one of its most traditional neighbourhood celebrations.

For the busiest events, it is advisable to check ticket or registration availability before travelling, particularly for Comic-Con, theatre performances, sports events and activities with limited capacity, as schedules and availability may change.