Estepona Celebrates Stephen King and Halloween

Estepona Town Hall is marking the 50th anniversary of the film 'Carrie' with a week of film screenings, talks, and a grand Halloween party for all ages

Estepona residents and property owners can look forward to a week of thrilling events this October, as Estepona Town Hall, in collaboration with Asociación Cultural Unicornio, prepares a special tribute to horror writer Stephen King. The programme culminates in a large family Halloween celebration. The events mark the 50th anniversary of the film 'Carrie', which premiered in Spain on 3 November 1976 and was the first cinematic adaptation of King’s debut novel.

Stephen King Tribute Week

All commemorative events will take place at the Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI. The tribute week begins on Monday 26 October at 19:30 with the opening of the 'Universo King' exhibition. This display will feature film merchandise, different international poster versions, books, records, magazines, and various collectable items spanning 50 years of the film's history. The exhibition will be available until the end of October.

Later on Monday 26 October, at 20:00, Estepona writer Julio Peces Ruiz will give a talk titled 'Carrie White se quema en el infierno'. This will be followed at 20:30 by a screening of the 1976 supernatural horror film 'Carrie', directed by Brian De Palma.

The programme continues on Tuesday 27 October, with a screening of John Carpenter’s 1983 film 'Christine' at 19:30. On Wednesday 28 October, at the same time, audiences can see 'La Torre Oscura', directed by Nikolaj Arcel in 2017, another significant film based on King's work.

Thursday 29 October begins at 19:30 with the presentation of the book 'Stephen King, The Art Of Horror'. This work features texts by Estepona writer Julio Peces Ruíz and illustrations by Málaga graphic designer and film enthusiast Andrés Antúnez, inspired by Stephen King’s best works. Immediately afterwards, at 20:30, the film 'Cuenta conmigo', directed by Rob Reiner in 1986 and based on King's 1982 novella 'The Body', will be screened.

The activities at Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI conclude on Friday 30 October at 20:30 with the 'Sinfonía del Terror' concert. The Banda Sinfónica Ciudad de Jaén, under the direction of Toni Villanueva, will perform. This concert will pay tribute to King's work by interpreting themes from the soundtracks of films such as Misery, Carrie, The Dead Zone, Salem’s Lot, Jaws, Alien, and Psycho. Invitations for this concert can be downloaded from teatroestepona.com, with a maximum of two per person and no booking fees.

Halloween Night 2026

To round off this tribute to the 'King of Terror', Estepona Town Hall has organised a large family-friendly Halloween Night 2026 party on Saturday 31 October. This event will take place at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos, where the 'Universo King' exhibition will also be available for viewing.

The Halloween party, hosted by 'Maestro de danzas tradicionales' and showman David Suárez, starts at 19:00. It will feature costume contests, DJs, a children’s party with bouncy castles, sweets for the traditional 'Trick or Treat', and an 'Hp Lovecraft' Escape Room, with free registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Other attractions for Halloween Night include the 'Pasaje del Terror', starting at 20:00, a virtual reality horror experience called 'El ascensor', and a dance performance by 'Ocean Danza y Acrobacia'. At 22:00, Dr. Jones, a covers band playing hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s, will perform, followed by a DJ from midnight.

Macarena Diánez, the councillor attached to the Culture and Fiestas delegations, noted that the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos will be transformed to 'host otherworldly and ghostly beings that will set the atmosphere for the party'. In addition to costumes, decorative elements such as pumpkins, skeletons, and mummies will be used.

For the costume contest, no prior registration is required. Estepona Town Hall has set the following categories and prizes for this year, with awards presented at 21:30:

• Five best-characterised groups: €500 for each.
• Ten most terrifying characters: €100 for each.

A bar, managed by the Hermandad Nuestra Señora del Carmen Coronada, will remain open throughout the evening, offering popular prices. Councillor Macarena Diánez encourages citizens to participate in costume, bringing original and creative designs to foster a fantastic and terrifying atmosphere.