The biggest Gay Pride event on the Costa del Sol is held in Torremolinos. It is a vibrant celebration of love, music and life which brings around 40,000 people to the area to party. This year Torremolinos Pride is taking place between May 29th and June 2nd and the themes are embracing cultures, creating bridges and promoting diversity.
Gay Pride in Torremolinos 2024
Events around Pride start on May 17th, with theatre performances, talks, exhibitions and events. However, the event really kicks off in earnest on the 29th of May at 9pm, with the opening speech and the raising of the LGTBIQ+ flag, at the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Cultural Centre.
If you’re not due to be visiting at this time, don’t worry, there are plenty of Pride events throughout the year in Torremolinos. Plus, on the Western Costa del Sol, you can find Manilva Pride, which is scheduled for the 15th and 16th of June 2024 and features lots of great music, parties and parades. They also hold other smaller Pride events at other times of the year, and there are some great gay bars on the Costa del Sol which run regular events, so look out for what’s happening when you visit.
Activity Program
There’s a packed calendar of activities surrounding the Pride weekend, starting on the 17th of May with a contemporary dance performance. There are smaller activities such as an exhibition on LGTBI rights around the world, talks, film screenings, book presentations and more. However, the majority of these will not be suitable if you don’t speak Spanish. The main activities take place between the 29th of May and the 2nd of June and here are the highlights.
Wednesday 29th May
12:00 – Unfurling the flag in the Plaza de la Nogalera
21.00 – Opening speech from journalist Toñi Moreno and the raising of the flag at the Centro Cultural Pablo Ruiz Picasso
21.30 – Musical performances at the Centro Cultural Pablo Ruiz Picasso, including the LGTBI Torremolinos Choir, Suhaula, Steve Drag and Apotheosika.
Thursday 30th May
18.30 – Games and activities for families promoting diversity, Plaza Costa del Sol
19.00 – Beach Volleyball Tournament, in the sports area of the Paseo Marítimo de Playamar
20.00 – Musical performances at the Centro Cultural Pablo Ruiz Picasso, including Mario Jefferson, E’femme, Amatria, Trashi and many more.
Friday 31st May
18.00 – Pet Pride Competition – Avenida Palma de Mallorca
18.30 – Family Diversity Day, Plaza Costa del Sol
19.30 – High heel Race through the streets, leaving from Avda. Palma de Mallorca to the Plaza Costa del Sol
20.00 – Musical performances at the Centro Cultural Pablo Ruiz Picasso, including Rocío Saiz, Falete, Nebulossa and many more
Saturday 1st June
09.00-12.00 – Inclusive sports event – Calisthenics, El Bajondillo Beach
From 17.00 – The Pride Parade, leaving from the Torremolinos Town Hall, and going through the streets of Torremolinos, finishing at the Centro Cultural Pablo Ruiz Picasso
20.00 – Musical performances at the Centro Cultural Pablo Ruiz Picasso, including Sharonne, Varry Brava, Chanel and many more.
Sunday 2nd June
17.00 – Beach Party – Bajondillo beach, by the Eden Beach Club
Download the full event programme from the Torremolinos Pride website (currently only in Spanish).
Torremolinos Pride 2024: Event of Tourist Interest in Andalusia
Torremolinos Pride is one of the youngest Pride events in Spain, but has become a very important event for tourism in the area and positions Torremolinos as one of the top Gay destinations in Spain. It brings together around 40,000 people each year and attracts tourists from all over the world to the town.
In fact, it was recently officially named an “Event of Tourist Interest in Andalucia” by the government, thanks to its social impact, promoting inclusivity and having an international impact. It was awarded this distinction as it has transformed and benefited the area and put Torremolinos on the map as an inclusive and diverse place, where tolerance and equality are paramount.
At the presentation of the programme, the Mayor commented that, “in this Pride event, we don’t only celebrate sexual diversity, but also cultural and social diversity, understanding that everything that we do that is different, is an opportunity to learn, connect and exchange ideas.” She added, “Diversity is in the DNA of Torremolinos.”
Road to Europride 2027
This year is a particularly important year for Torremolinos Pride, as it’s a crucial step in their application to host EuroPride 2027. Torremolinos is a Candidate City for this event, which is the most important in the Gay calendar in Europe. Letters of intent to host this event were submitted by five cities in total, including Torremolinos, and the full bids are being prepared for presentation in September. We wish Torremolinos lots of luck in their bid and hope they can bring it home!
Where to stay near Torremolinos?
Torremolinos Pride is one of the highlights of the gay calendar on the Costa del Sol and it’s a great idea to time your visit to coincide with this amazing event. If you are visiting from abroad and looking where to stay to be in the centre of all the action, then the areas of Punto Blanco and La Nogalera are the main gay districts in the town. The beaches of Playamar and Bajondillo are also excellent locations to base yourself in.
Torremolinos is also on the train network which runs between Malaga and Fuengirola, so you can easily stay in one of the nearby towns, and escape the madness and noise and then take the train or bus in, or use the local taxi service.
We’d recommend booking a holiday rental in Benalmadena, as you can actually walk between the two towns along the seafront promenade in an hour, they are both on the trainline and Benalmadena offers lots to do and see. This includes a stunning and buzzing marina, beautiful park, cable car to the top of the mountain, great shopping, nightlife and restaurants.
Malaga and Fuengirola are also good options, slightly further from Torremolinos, but within easy reach via public transport.
Wherever you stay, we hope you have an amazing time! Let us know if we can help find you a holiday rental property near Torremolinos.
