Manga Festival

Manga, anime and gaming fans have another reason to head to Estepona this September, as the Costa del Sol Manga Festival makes its fourth appearance in town from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th. Since launching a few years back, the event has steadily grown into one of the coast’s go-to gatherings for anyone into Japanese and Asian pop culture, drawing enthusiasts from across the province and beyond.

Run by the non-profit group Pax Cultural, the weekend takes over the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos with three days dedicated to everything from manga and anime to gaming and K-pop. Expect elaborate cosplay contests where attendees show off costumes ranging from fan favourites to original creations, competitive gaming tournaments for those who’d rather battle it out on screen, and K-pop dance competitions bringing plenty of energy to the stage. Alongside the main events, the hall fills with exhibitions, artist stalls selling prints and merchandise, and specialist traders offering everything a fan could want to take home.

It’s as much a place to browse and soak up the atmosphere as it is to compete, so whether you’re coming in full costume, hunting for something special at the trader stalls, or simply curious to see what the fuss is about, there’s something to hold your attention across the three days.

Doors open from 4pm to 9pm on the Friday, then 10am to 9pm across Saturday and Sunday.

Friday entry is €3, though anyone who turns up in cosplay gets in free. Weekend tickets are €5, dropping to €3 for costumed visitors.