Social Scene Costa del 11 – 17 Dec 2025 Issue 2110
26 Years of ACE
MIJAS animal rescue centre, Animal Care España (ACE), also known as SHIN, is celebrating its 26th anniversary with a special Christmas Open Day on Sunday, December 14, from 1pm to 4pm. The charity is one of the only shelters in the region that maintains a strict ‘no-kill’ policy, refusing to euthanise healthy animals.
Under the leadership of founder Fabienne Paques, ACE-SHIN has rescued and rehomed tens of thousands of abandoned and mistreated dogs and cats.
The centre, located in La Cala de Mijas, is currently at crisis point, providing
temporary refuge for 500 dogs and 200 cats awaiting adoption. Despite local authorities frequently bringing abandoned animals to the shelter, the charity receives no public funding and operates solely through private donations and volunteers.
The Christmas Open Day is a crucial fundraising event. Entry requires a simple donation: a bag of dry dog or cat food. Attendees can enjoy food stalls, music, games, a barbecue, mulled wine, and mince pies while meeting the animals.
Jack & the Beanstalk
FUENGIROLA’S Salón Varietés Theatre launches the Costa del Sol’s only English-language pantomime when Jack and the Beanstalk opens later this month.
The festive favourite runs from Friday, December 19 to Tuesday, December 23, then returns from Friday, January 2 to Monday, January 5. Evening performances begin at 7.30pm (7pm on Sundays), with 2pm matinees on Saturdays, Sundays and Monday, January 5. There is no evening show on Saturday, December 20 or Sunday, January 5.
Laura Carter stars as Jill, alongside Jacob Botha, but the spotlight will fall on veteran panto dame John Sharples, loved for his cheeky humour that keeps adults grinning and children gi-
ggling.
Written by Nigel Holmes, directed by Keith Spitalnick and choreographed by Alexandra Avery, the high-energy production promises dazzling costumes, traditional mayhem and plenty of audience participation.
The Salón Varietés, the coast’s sole English-speaking theatre, expects packed houses for what has become a cherished Christmas tradition.
Tickets are selling fast. Book online at salonvarietes.com or telephone 952 474 542 (weekdays 11am2.30pm).
Celebrating doggy Christmas.
Credit: Ace/Shin FB
IN the heart of Nueva Andalucia, within the well-known La Dama de Noche urbani sation, Cortes Garden has quickly be come one of Marbella’s most versatile and appealing dining spots. Its concept blends international cuisine with Mediterranean and European influences, paired with a relaxed atmosphere and a service style desig ned to make every visit feel special.
The menu is varied and contemporary, featuring dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and a balance of flavours that attract a wide range of guests: local residents, tourists, families, couples and groups seeking a pleasant setting for anything from a casual lunch to a more refined dinner. From refreshing starters and Italian-inspired options to dishes with Asian touches and nods to Spanish classics, Cortes Garden combines creativity with comfort food at a very competitive average
price of around €23 per person.
The venue itself is one of its strongest assets. Its spacious terrace, surrounded by greenery, is ideal for enjoying the Costa del Sol climate nearly all year round. Inside, the modern and cosy décor creates a relaxed atmosphere perfect for gatherings, celebrations or more intimate meals. The restaurant is also pet-friendly, offers private parking, and provides takeaway options, making it a
convenient and flexible choice for different types of guests.
With friendly, attentive service and a dynamic approach, Cortes Garden is steadily positioning itself as a local culinary reference point. Its mix of quality cooking, accessible prices and an inviting ambience makes it one of those places people are keen to return to, to recommend to friends, and to rediscover with new dishes on each visit.
A modern twist Beat December blues
ON Friday, December 12, El Lago restaurant invites gastronomy enthusiasts to a dinner that promises to delight the senses.
Under the title ‘Modern Twist on Mediterranean Seafood’, international and accomplished chefs, Kevo Etoyan and Milos Zdravkovikj, create a unique culinary experience blending creativity, local ingredients and surprising flavour. Born and raised in Beirut, Kevo Etoyan trained with acclaimed chefs, and currently leads the Eccentrico Kitchen in Lyon, France. Milos Zdravkovikj is originally from Serbia, and joined El Lago as Executive Chef in 2020 where he combines his passion for local products and sustainability, reinforcing El Lago’s position as a standout restaurant on the Costa del Sol.
ner will be held at El Lago, a renowned restaurant on the Costa del Sol.
Located in Marbella, dinners will enjoy beautiful views over the lake, the perfect place to enjoy a memorable culinary experience in an elegant and relaxed atmosphere.
The one-of-a-kind din-
A carefully curated tasting menu that respects local products and highlights innovative tech-
niques will delight guests. Highlights include delectable plates of tartelette with tarama and bottarga, Motril shrimp tartare with Palo Cortado caviar, and Wagyu and lobster duo with foie gras sauce and confit peppers. The tasting menu costs €185 and the wine pairing €45. This combination transforms the dinner into a true sensory journey, full of flavour, elegance, and surprise.
WHILE Christmas is a time of joy for many, it can also be a period of deep loneliness and darkness for others. The Costa del Sol community is offering multiple social events designed to combat isolation, encourage conversation, and help residents make new connections during the festive season.
Age Concern Fuengirola, Mijas & Benalmadena is hosting a special Social Lunch on Monday, December 16, at 1.30pm at Bodeguita el Tejo in Mijas Pueblo.
Attendees can enjoy a three-course meal plus a drink for the discounted price of €18 per person. Bookings are essential via Michelle on 619 792 738.
Elsewhere, Age Concern Marbella - San Pedro continues its regular 11am coffee mornings at venues including Hapimag and Urban Chai, drawing a friendly and chatty crowd.
At the other end of the coast, The ACE Club in Estepona is holding a Christmas Carols Afternoon on Friday, Decem-
ber 20, from 2pm to 4pm at their social club on Calle San Roque 69. All are welcome to join.
For those planning into the New Year, the Simply Thriving Group’s January and February events are now booking. Future socials include Karnali Yaks in La Cala on Thursday, January 16, and Tapa y Tai in Fuengirola on Thursday, February 6. Contact Val Williams or the group’s Facebook page for details and reservations. There’s plenty going on and no need to feel alone.
El Lago invites you to experience a unique culinary journey.
Time for a cuppa? Credit: MagdanatkaShutterstock
Christmas at La Fonda
LA FONDA HERITAGE Hotel Relais & Châteaux, a boutique gem in Marbella’s Old Town, is preparing a festive December programme following its recent Michelin Key award for exceptional hospitality.
Housed in a restored 16th-century building overlooking the picturesque Plaza de Santo Cristo, the hotel blends Andalucian heritage with modern luxury. Its spaces, including covered courtyards, a tapas bar, and rooftop Sky Bar, offer ideal settings for holiday gatherings.
Groups can enjoy a tailored menu or elegant Afternoon Tea with refined teas, pastries, savoury items, and signature Crumbz Cookies.
Key events include: On Saturday December 13, Saint Lucy’s Day features a candlelit procession on the plaza, with a family-friendly atmosphere and special menu
fusing Nordic traditions with local flavours.
On Wednesday December 24, Christmas Eve offers an intimate set menu dinner at €155 per person from 7.30pm, with live music.
On Thursday December 25, Christmas Day brings à la carte lunch from 1pm, accompanied by live music.
On Wednesday December 31, New Year’s Eve celebrates with a DJ, midnight grapes tradition, and party accessories.
On Thursday January 1, New Year’s Day serves à la carte lunch from 1pm with live music.
Overlooking the festively lit plaza, La Fonda promises culinary delights inspired by Mediterranean and seasonal ingredients. Reservations are recommended. La Fonda Heritage is in Plaza Santo Cristo, 9 & 10 Marbella. Web: lafondaheritage.com.
Festive TAPAS
THE Andalucia Performing Arts Society (TAPAS) delighted a sold-out audience with its ‘Voices of Christmas’ concert on Saturday, December 6 at the festively decorated clubhouse of Alhaurín el Grande Golf.
True to its mission of fun for performers, pleasure for spectators and funds for charity, the evening proved a resounding success.
Exuberant MC Lee Jay kicked off proceedings, introducing the popular Sibling Duo, Nick and Eliza Handley, who launched into uplifting numbers with lively audience participation.
They were followed by Ruth and Craig Norris, performing as ‘Naughty But Nice’ with classic favourites.
The multinational TAPAS choir, directed by James Burn, then delivered what many called their finest
performance yet. A raffle with prizes worth €650, donated by local businesses, raised at least €750 through enthusiastic ticket sales.
All proceeds will support 2025’s chosen charity, the Alzheimer and Dementia Support Group (ADSG), which aids carers.
The choir’s second set sparked equal enthusiasm, before a joyous sextet pre-
miered an original medley, ‘All I Want For Christmas is Tunes’, including a hilarious audience version of ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’.
The evening closed with a jazzed-up ‘Feliz Navidad’, leaving everyone in high festive spirits. TAPAS will return with its next showcase in late spring or early summer. Details at www.tapassociety.com
TAPAS choir giving it their all.
Cookie Crumz Christmas tree at la Fonda.
Leon’s Sol journey
LEON PATRAS, singer, MC and entertainer brimming with charisma and boundless energy, has become a much-loved figure on the Costa del Sol. Known for his ability to read crowds and energise dance floors, he brings boundless energy to every performance.
From the UK to Zambia to studying theatre in South Africa, he was born to perform. “What I love about drama is that it is constantly changing. No two days are the same,” he says.
Family drew him to life in Alhaurin el Grande in 2017. “For me, Spain is like a small piece of Africa in Europe,” he says. Inland, he volunteered at a horse sanctuary and organised charity fashion shows promoting sustainability, and even
MCs at the Cricket Oval in Cartama.
A pre-pandemic steampunk event proved popular, followed by a 2022 ‘Slow Fashion Show’ at Artsenal Inoxis, aiding Cudeca cancer hospice and ARCH horse rescue.
But, the stage beckoned. Patras sings only songs he connects with emotionally, from The Pixies to 90s hits plus a brief stint at Salon Varietes. He improvises sets and engages with audiences, inspired by local acts like New Tricks.
In late 2024, he launched Leon Events at Alhaurin Golf Hotel and began hosting talent showcases at Artsenal Inoxis.
From corporate roles to party nights, Patras embodies dedication, lighting up the Costa del Sol with his energy.
Anniversary special
CLARENCE JAZZ CLUB in Torremolinos will celebrate its 12th anniversary in spectacular style with an exclusive double concert by internationally acclaimed singer and trumpeter Andrea Motis. Known for selling out major theatres and festivals worldwide, Motis rarely performs in intimate venues - making this appearance a rare treat for Costa del Sol jazz heads.
Discovered at age 12 by bassist and educator Joan Chamorro in Barcelona’s Sant Andreu Jazz Band, Motis quickly drew global attention.
Legendary producer Quincy Jones invited the teenager to join his Global Gumbo All-Stars after hearing her play, declaring she performed trumpet like Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, alto saxophone like Johnny Hodges, and sang like Billie Holiday.
At just 20 she became the first Catalan artist to record for the iconic Impulse! label - home to John Coltrane and Charles Mingus - with her critically acclaimed album Emotional
Dance.
Now with 10 albums exploring classic jazz, Brazilian music and funk, Motis has shared stages with Milton Nascimento, Omara Portuondo, Esperanza Spalding and Yo-Yo Ma.
The evening will also include the presentation of the annual Clarence Jazz Club Award for the Promotion of Jazz, plus gifts and surprises. Clarence Jazz Club, Torremolinos. Tickets: Zone A (rows 1–3) €45 | Zone B (row 4 onwards) €40 Reduced Visibility/General €35. Tickets available now at clarencejazzclub.com.
Andrea Motis in concert.
Leon is a much-loved figure on the Costa del Sol.
Celebrate the Wyndham Way
festive season at Wyndham Costa del Sol
AFTER the whirlwind of festive gatherings, late nights and overflowing Christmas cheer, there is nothing more welcome than a moment to relax and let someone else take care of you. This year, make Boxing Day and New Year’s Day wonderfully effortless with our indulgent Festive Brunches at Safari Restaurant, right here at Wyndham Costa del Sol.
Designed as the perfect post party treat, our brunch experience features a generous Continental Brunch Buffet, a tempting choice of delicious mains, and an array of desserts and ice creams. Adults can unwind with bottomless Cava, Mimosas, Bloody Marys and Virgin Marys, while children enjoy unlimited soft drinks.
Whether you are winding down after Christmas Day or starting the New Year on a relaxed and flavour filled note, our team will ensure you are spoiled from the moment you arrive.
The celebrations are enhanced with
live entertainment that brings a warm and festive atmosphere to every table. On Boxing Day, the wonderfully versatile Michelle Jane performs an uplifting selection of favourites. On New Year’s Day, the iconic duo Terri Ryan and Ian Jacks set the tone for the year ahead with their engaging style and unmistakable musi-
Brunch is served from 11.30am to 4pm. At just €50 per adult and €22 per child under 12, it is a delightful way to extend the holiday spirit wi thout any of the effort.
However you choose to celebrate, do it the Wyndham way this year.
Reserve your spot now - Limited spaces available! Tel: (+34) 952 669 988 • Email: restaurant.booking@wyndhamcds.com
cal charm.
Lots of cheese delights
FROM Friday December 12 to Sunday 14, Estepona’s picturesque Paseíllo on Calle Real will host the 11th Feria del Queso ‘Popi’ Sabor a Malaga, one of the Costa del Sol’s most popular food events.
Organised by Estepona Town Hall with renowned ham cutter José María Téllez - known as ‘Popi’ - and backed by the Diputación de Malaga’s ‘Sabor a Malaga’ brand, the fair runs daily from 12pm to 10pm with free entry.
More than 30 producers, 80 per cent from Malaga Province itself, will offer an impressive array of artisan cheeses. Visitors can expect fresh goat’s milk rounds, sharp cured Payoyo, and mature cow’s milk wheels that rival top Manchegos. Sliced portions typically cost €5, but ge-
nerous free tastings and buying by weight often prove better value.
The stalls go far beyond cheese, brimming with extra-virgin olive oils, marinated olives, pâtés, nuts and selected regional wines - making the event a full gourmet market under the mild Andalucian winter sun.
Now a firm fixture before Christmas, the fair has grown from humble beginnings into a major showcase for Malaga’s finest produce, while boosting Estepona’s international profile.
Cheese lovers and casual visitors alike will find tempting discoveries, warm hospitality and the chance to stock up on luxurious, locally made gifts or create memorable festive cheese boards.
Thousands of cheeses and 1,000s of flavours.
Bubble Fest by Invinic triumphs
THE first Bubble Fest, organised by Invinic Wine Collection Boutique, has been hailed an outstanding success after attracting 370 sparkling-wine enthusiasts to an exclusive premium tasting event held on Saturday November 29 at El Gamonal restaurant in San Pedro de Alcantara.
Described as the Costa del Sol’s first festival dedicated solely to high-end sparkling wines, the event featured almost 100 international references spanning Champagne, Cava, Corpinnat, Prosecco and Crémant de Bourgogne.
the day.
Twenty-five prestigious houses and producers, including Laurent-Perrier, Louis Roederer, Gosset, Pol Roger, Moët & Chandon, Gramona, Recaredo and Juvé & Camps, presented between two and five cuvées each, with more than 300 bottles popped open throughout
Guests enjoyed a freeflow premium tasting format, receiving a crystal glass and a detailed tasting guide upon arrival. Exclusive discounts of up to 45 per cent were offered only during the event, driving exceptional on-site sales.
Sebastián Lozano, founder of Invinic Wine Collection Boutique, said “We wanted to create an elegant yet accessible celebration of the world’s finest sparkling wines just before the festive season,
and the response from both the public and participating producers has far exceeded our expectations.”
Following the triumphant launch, Invinic has confirmed that Bubbles Fest will return with new editions and additional enogastronomic experiences planned for 2026.
SPAIN’S number one Guns N’ Roses tribute band, Gansos Rosas, return to Estepona’s iconic Louie Louie venue on Saturday, December 13 for a midnight headline show that is expected to sell out.
Regarded as the country’s most authentic recreation of Axl Rose, Slash and the original line-up, the five-piece have spent over 10 years mastering every riff, scream and stage move from the classic catalogue. Fans can expect a two-hour-plus onslaught featuring ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’, ‘November Rain’ and more, delivered with leather-clad attitude, pyrotechnics and note-perfect Slash solos from a top-hatted lead guitarist.
From Axl’s bandana, snake-hipped swagger and rasping vocals, creating the raw,
dangerous energy of late-1980s Sunset Strip rock ’n’ roll, it’s all there.
Louie Louie, the harbour-side live music institution, has hosted Gansos Rosas many times before. Doors open at 11.30pm after the resident KP band, with Gansos Rosas taking the stage at midnight. The late start ensures the party spills into Sunday morning.
Advance tickets cost €17.88 and are available now on Entradium.com. Previous shows have sold out weeks ahead, and with Christmas party season underway, organisers say demand is at an all-time high. For die-hard fans of Appetite for Destruction or anyone craving high-voltage rock, Gansos Rosas on Saturday, December 13 is the Costa del Sol’s must-see winter gig.
Best festive markets
COSTA DEL SOL offers a unique, sun-drenched festive experience, with major towns transforming into Christmas market havens throughout December and into January.
Malaga, the region’s capital, is an essential stop. The scenic Muelle Uno market, complete with sea views, runs until Monday, January 5. For sheer scale, visit the many stalls in the central Parque de la Alameda.
In Estepona, the focus is on family attractions. The Felipe VI Auditorium hosts an ice rink and Santa’s house until Sunday, January 4. Additionally, the popular ‘Santa’s Christmas Village’, featuring artificial snow, will be set up on Sunday, December 21 at Plaza del Ajedrez.
Further west, Marbella hosts a festive village on the Avenida del Mar Esplanade. Over 30 stalls offer gifts, fashion, and crafts, alongside shows and children’s workshops. The market is open daily until Monday, January 5. Nearby, the San Pedro Market opens on Saturday, December 13.
The town of Mijas features two markets: Mijas Pueblo until Monday, January 5, and a cosy market at La Cala de Mijas until Tuesday, January 6, known for its traditional wooden kiosks and hot drinks.
The Benalmadena market, in Arroyo de la Miel, runs the longest until Wednesday, January 7.
However, visitors should note that the charming market in Fuengirola, offering nativity scenes and local crafts, closes earliest on Sunday, December 21.
Christmas donkeys
sanctuary is also working to protect the endangered Andalucian donkey breed.
DONKEY DREAMLAND, the Mijas-based sanctuary that rescues and rehabilitates donkeys, will hold its annual Christmas Fair - the charity’s biggest fundraiser of the year - on Saturday, December 20.
The event helps fund veterinary care, feed and upkeep for dozens of donkeys, many retired from the controversial donkey-taxi trade in Mijas Pueblo or saved from neglect. Founded five years ago by Amaya Isert, the
The family-friendly fair runs from 1pm to 5pm at the finca in La Cala de Mijas. Visitors can meet the donkeys, browse market stalls with unique gifts, enjoy cakes and mulled wine, and play traditional games.
Children can visit Santa in his grotto and sleigh, while adults relax in the festive atmosphere.
Entry costs €5 per per-
son, with under-twos admitted free. Every euro raised goes straight to the animals’ care.
The sanctuary, run by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, relies on events like this to cover rising costs and ensure the donkeys enjoy a comfortable Christmas and a strong start to 2026.
Address: Diseminado la Rosa, 79, Las Lagunas de Mijas. Advance tickets are available at www.donkey dreamland.com/events.
