The Costa del Sol is about to celebrate its final long weekend of the year and possibly its busiest, as Constitution Day (Saturday, December 6) and the Immaculate Conception (Monday, December 8) create a perfect three-day festivity.
Saturday, December 6, will be the 47th anniversary of the 1978 Spanish Constitution. Although it is officially a national holiday, falling on a Saturday means almost all shops, supermarkets and shopping centres (Plaza Mayor, La Cañada, El Corte Inglés, Miramar, etc.) will open normal hours. Only banks, some smaller shops and some public offices close.
Monday, December 8, however, is a full public holiday across Andalucia. Schools, town halls, health centres and most smaller, independent local shops will remain closed between Torremolinos and Estepona. Buses (Avanza Portillo) will run on Sunday timetables, and coastal trains on the C-1 line will operate a reduced holiday service. Aldi and Lidl stores will open their usual hours, while Mercadona supermarkets are all listed as remaining closed.
Official events, flags raised and family
Official events on Constitution Day morning include the traditional flag-raising ceremony at 12 noon in Marbella’s Plaza de los Naranjos and Tenencia de Alcaldia de San Pedro Alcantara, followed by a civic reception hosted by the mayor. In Torremolinos, the Ayuntamiento will also be raising the flag at 12pm in a solemn service with military, Guardia Civil, local and national police standing to attention for the national anthem.
However, for thousands, the long weekend means one thing: family. Restaurants from Benalmadena Costa to Puerto Banus to Manilva will book out quickly for Saturday lunch or Sunday midday. In many cases, tables would have been reserved long in advance for larger extended family with restaurants not considering second sittings.
Long weekend – heavier traffic
Traffic on the A-7 will be noticeably heavier from Friday afternoon and again on Monday afternoon, especially around the Torremolinos to Benalmadena stretch and the San Pedro tunnel as families come together for the weekend.
Whether toasting 47 years of democracy or attending solemn masses for the Immaculate Conception, the western Costa del Sol will pause, gather, and celebrate before the Christmas rush truly begins.