The City Council has scheduled more than a hundred cultural activities for this summer

The summer program features the World Ham Contest, free concerts, outdoor movies, and cultural activities for people of all ages

Once again this year, the Estepona City Council has put together a comprehensive program of cultural and recreational activities, aimed at audiences of all ages, which will take place during the summer months. Concerts, festivals featuring various musical genres, theater, and traditional festivals, among many other events, make up the Summer Cultural Calendar, which includes more than a hundred events for all audiences.

Macarena Diánez, the councilwoman in charge of Culture and Festivals, has presented the full program, in which, once again this year, events for children and families will take center stage. First, the popular Summer Film Series includes free screenings of eight recently released movies, with titles such as *Flow: A World to Save*, *Minecraft: The Movie*, *Jurassic World: * The Awakening,’ ‘Superman,’ ‘I’m Gonna Have the Best Time,’ ‘The Karate Kid: Legends,’ ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch.’

In addition, the Estepona City Council and the Unicornio Cultural Association will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the theatrical release of ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ with three days dedicated to the Harry Potter universe, featuring a program of exhibitions, games, parades, music, and a screening of the film.

In addition to the movies, children can enjoy various musical tributes, such as ‘The Lion King,’ on July 30 at Parque de Los Niños; the musical tribute “K-POP Hunt” on August 6 at Parque El Calvario; and “Alice in Wonderland” on August 20 at Parque El Ángel.

The Councilwoman for Culture also noted that the DINO EXPO XXL exhibition, featuring more than 120 life-size dinosaurs that move and breathe, will be open to the public at the Exhibition and Convention Center through September 13.

Another event generating a lot of interest this summer is the World Ham Contest, which will take place August 7–16 on the Paseo Marítimo. In addition to the finest Iberian products, it will feature free concerts every night: Bordón 4, Justito a tiempo, Nolasco, Henry Méndez, La Frontera, Melon Diesel, Piratas Flamencos, Burning, Dani Márquez, and Malamanera.

As a new addition, the summer program includes two new culinary events. The first will take place from August 11 to 16 at the Plaza de Toros, where THE BURGER CUP festival will be held, featuring national burger joints, music, and activities for all ages. The other event will take place on September 5, featuring one of the most popular traditions on the Málaga coast: a GRAN ESPETADA with free sardine tastings at the Escollera del Puerto Pesquero.

The performing and visual arts will also take center stage. Every Tuesday, there will be dance performances at various outdoor venues in Estepona and Cancelada, featuring all the Municipal Dance Classes and various private dance academies. Thus, we’ll be able to enjoy performances by students from the Municipal Dance Classes led by Eva Alarcón and Mariví Rodríguez, as well as from the “=ES” (Iguales) Dance Therapy Workshop run by the municipal Department of Social Services and Social Integration, directed by Inmaculada Chacón. In addition, professionals and students from academies such as “El Taller del Arte,” “La Milana,” Mónica Peña, the “Martina Tessaro” School, the “Escuela Ocean de Danza y Acrobacia” run by Laura and Sara Perea, and Ana Guerrero and Claudia Ramírez’s “La Marivilla.”

Furthermore, on August 22, two generations united by blood, art, and passion will present the Flamenco Show: “Roots and Heritage” at the Orquidario Botanical Park. Professional flamenco dancer Lourdes Bazán and her young son will engage in an emotional dialogue on stage, where they will express their love for flamenco.

The Estepona Municipal Band will kick off the new Summer Concert season on July 26 in the Plaza del Reloj.Performances will take place every Sunday through August 23, featuring themed nights dedicated to original band music, zarzuelas, great classical works, modern popular music, and “Music and Cinema”: a journey through the Wild West via the most iconic Western film scores.

As for classical music, on July 4 we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a candlelit musical experience in El Calvario Park, featuring a piano concert—a tribute to Ludovico Einaudi—by Rafael Montalvo, while the Cologne Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra will perform on July 17 at the Auditorium. The “Ciudad de Estepona” Lyric Festival, organized by the Teatro Lírico Andaluz company, will also feature prominently in the cultural program, with a performance of the opera “Madama Butterfly” on July 24, and the zarzuela “Agua, azucarillos y aguardiente” on the 25th at the Plaza de Toros. Swing and jazz will also have their special moment on August 21 at the Plaza del Ajedrez, with a performance by La Insostenible Big Band.

As for concerts, on July 18 we’ll enjoy a night of bachata and Latin music at Parque El Ángel with the renowned artist Dani J., and on July 23, the Orquidario will host the all-female soundtrack concert “Esencia de Mujer,” featuring local artists Ana Fargas, Virginia Alexandre, Juana Escribano, Candela Vergara, and La Negra Mayté.

Another musical highlight of the summer will take place on July 23 at the Plaza de Toros, where the atmosphere of 1950s and 1960s Cuba will be recreated with the concert “Una noche en la Habana,” performed by La Bernáldez Latin Jazz, and on July 26, the Plaza de Toros will also host an afternoon filled with art and rhythm featuring Alba Moreno and Canelita.

August will kick off with the third edition of La Movida Flamenca at Parque El Ángel, featuring an evening dedicated to flamenco and Spanish music with Zenet, Felipa del Moreno, Gaspar Rodríguez, and Jassy Ojeda.

The Summer Book Fair will be another highlight along the Paseo Marítimo. This cultural event, now in its 31st year, is notable for the fact that 90 percent of the books cost no more than five euros. It will be open to the public from July 18 through September 13, and there will be daily book signings by authors.

The Felipe VI Auditorium Theater will host a tribute to the legendary group ABBA, featuring live vocals and their greatest hits, on September 13. It will also host Luis Piedrahita’s stand-up comedy show on September 12 and the comedy show *NADA…* on September 25, featuring Pablo Puyol, Miguel Ángel Martín, and Álvaro Carrero.

In addition to musical performances, the Plaza de Toros will be the venue to see the best freestyle motocross riders up close on July 18, and it will also host a spectacular equestrian show on July 19.

Comedy will also feature in the program, with two shows taking place at the Felipe VI Auditorium Theater: the stand-up special “Apocalípticamente correcto” with Luis Piedrahita, and “Nada…” with Pablo Puyol, Miguel Ángel Martín, and Álvaro Carrero.

Finally, Fashion Week will take place from September 23 to 26 and will include the 7th “Estepona de Moda” Young Designers Competition, which this year will award 3,000 euros to the top finishers.