There’s a particular hum that settles over Mojácar as early spring spills headlong into summer. It’s not just the rising mercury or the cicadas tuning their nightly orchestra. It’s a palpable shift, a collective inhalation before the joyful exhale of peak season. Here, perched dramatically between the rugged Sierra Cabrera mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean, Mojácar is stirring, shaking off the gentle slumber of spring and preparing to dazzle once more.

For the uninitiated, Mojácar exists in a captivating duality. There is Mojácar Pueblo, the old town: a labyrinthine marvel of blinding white cubes tumbling down a hillside, crowned by its resilient church and castle viewpoint. Its Moorish soul whispers from narrow alleyways, geranium-filled balconies cascade color, and every corner turned reveals a vista more breathtaking than the last. Then, there is Mojácar Playa, the vibrant coastal strip stretching below: miles of diverse beaches, bustling chiringuitos serving up grilled sardines and ice-cold cerveza, and a contemporary energy that complements the ancient wisdom of the village above.

Right now, the Pueblo feels particularly alive. The morning sun, already potent, casts sharp shadows that dance as you navigate the inclines. Local shop owners, custodians of ceramics painted with the town’s iconic Indalo Man good luck symbol, are meticulously arranging their wares. You can hear the cheerful clatter of cups from cafés tucked into tiny plazas, where conversations drift in Spanish and a growing number of international tongues. There’s an air of preparation; a fresh coat of white paint here, a newly planted bougainvillea there, all contributing to the town’s immaculate charm.

“It feels like a proper return,” muses Elena García, whose family has run a small artisan crafts shop near the Plaza Nueva for three generations. “The last few years had their uncertainties, but this year… this year feels fuerte. There’s a real optimism, a readiness to welcome everyone back to the Mojácar we love.”

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This optimism is translating into tangible energy down on the Playa too. The promenades are busy with morning joggers and evening strollers. The diverse beaches, from the family-friendly sands of Playa de las Ventanicas to the more rugged coves further south, are being claimed by sun-seekers. New menus are appearing outside restaurants, promising the fresh bounty of the Almerian coast and land – gambas rojas, flavorful local tomatoes, expertly grilled meats. The beach clubs are tuning their sound systems, preparing for lazy afternoons that melt into starlit nights.

What truly marks the shift this year is the return and expansion of smaller, more intimate cultural events alongside the town’s established fiestas. Whispers abound about the upcoming ‘5 Estrellas’ a series of planned evenings throughout July and August. Imagine candlelit routes through the old Pueblo, pop-up acoustic music performances in hidden corners, perhaps even storytelling under the stars at the Castillo viewpoint, celebrating Mojácar’s myths and legends. While official details are still emerging, the anticipation adds another layer to the pre-summer buzz. It speaks to Mojácar’s enduring ability to blend its historical mystique with contemporary experiences.

Yet, even amidst the heightened energy, the soul of Mojácar remains constant. It’s in the enduring silence you can still find in a secluded alleyway at midday. It’s in the unwavering gaze of the Indalo Man, painted onto doorways. It’s in the staggering panorama from the Mirador del Castillo, where Africa feels tantalizingly close on a clear day. It’s in the simple pleasure of a ‘tinto de verano’ enjoyed as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in impossible shades of orange and purple.

Mojácar isn’t just preparing for visitors; it feels like it’s reclaiming its full, vibrant self. The light seems brighter, the sea bluer, the smiles wider. Whether you seek the timeless charm of the Pueblo or the lively pulse of the Playa, Mojácar stands ready, its ancient heart beating in time with the rhythm of the approaching summer. It’s a story written in sunlight on whitewashed walls, a story waiting for you to step into its pages.

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The Mojácar rhythmic gymnastics team had an outstanding participation in the 2024/2025 Educational Promotion Rhythmic Gymnastics Circuit held on the 8th of March in the locality of Balanegra. The event brought together teams from different municipalities in a competition which challenges the technical and artistic level of the young gymnasts.

The Mojácar athletes achieved podium positions in several categories:
• Prebenjamín Category: Gold medal, demonstrating great coordination and precision in their performance.
• Infant Category: Bronze medal, with an outstanding execution of their routines.
• Carmen Torres (Infant Category, individual): Silver medal, with a brilliant performance that secured her second place.

The event saw a significant turnout of family members and supporters, who travelled to Balanegra to support the Mojácar gymnasts, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and motivation during each performance. The educational circuit’s main aim is the promotion of rhythmic gymnastics and sporting development in schools, allowing participants to improve their performance and strengthen their technique in a competitive environment.

The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, gave a positive assessment of the local team’s participation in the competition: “These kinds of events are essential for encouraging sports among the youngest. We take pride in seeing our gymnasts stand out on the provincial circuit, continually demonstrating their talent and effort.”

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The Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya, underlined the municipality’s commitment to grassroots sports development: “The Local Council will continue supporting our athletes, providing them with the necessary resources for their growth and encouraging participation in competitions like this, which are key for their development.”

The Mojácar gymnasts will continue their preparation for upcoming competitions, with the aim of continuing to represent the municipality and consolidate their progress in this discipline.

Pignoise, Paula Matheus, Marlena, Me & The Reptiles and Michael Foster complete the line-up headed by Iván Ferreiro. Mojácar 5 Estrellas or, in other words, a delicatessen menu for a festival that has already left its mark with just one edition and will do so again in its second edition next October.

This is what you can conclude from the new ingredients that are gradually being announced. Following the big surprise of Iván Ferreiro as the headliner, this week the line-up of Pignoise, Paula Matheus, Marlena, Me & The Reptiles and Michael Foster has been announced.

These are the names of the musical side of an event, the gastronomic part of which is still ‘slow-cooking’, and which will be announced shortly and will feature renowned chefs who will create the perfect pairing.

Mojácar 5 Estrellas will continue combining music and cuisine in an exceptional tourist enclave like the Almería locality on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of October. An extension of the dates that means numerous complementary events will be added to the main day (Saturday the 4th) for the preceding and following days.

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Mojácar 5 Estrellas is organised by Crash Music and Mojácar Council’s Culture Department and is sponsored by Almería Provincial Council, Costa de Almería, Sabores de Almería, the Junta de Andalucía, Macenas, Estrella de Levante, Cupra and Ecoinver.

The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, maintains that “this festival is a demonstration of Mojácar’s commitment to culture, music and gastronomy. We want to consolidate our position as a benchmark for tourism and leisure, and events such as Mojácar 5 Estrellas reinforce our position as a quality destination.”

Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, emphasizes that “Mojácar 5 Stars not only reinforces our image as a destination of excellence, but also boosts our local economy, attracting visitors and promoting our culture and traditions. It is a key event for continuing to position Mojácar on the national and international tourism scene’.

Diego Ferrón from Crash Music points out that “the second edition of Mojácar 5 Estrellas aims to grow both in the number of days and with a first-class line-up for lovers of multi-sensory experiences by bringing together the best music and cuisine in a quality setting’.

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Iván Ferreiro (Nigrán-Galicia) is a composer of indie rock and pop rock music. He was for 13 years of his musical career the leader, singer and main songwriter of the renowned band Los Piratas, with whom they released 12 albums and left a great musical legacy that is still revered today. After separating from Los Piratas at the end of 2003, Iván decided to continue in the world of music, becoming an indisputable benchmark of quality with a creative talent that over the years has yet to reach its peak .

Pignoise is a Spanish pop punk band made up of former Real Madrid footballer Álvaro Benito (singer, guitarist and composer), Pablo Alonso Álvarez (bass and backing vocals) and Héctor Polo (drums). They recently celebrated their 20th anniversary, bringing together artists from different generations and with popular support at concerts. It is clear that Pignoise is a band that transcends generations. You only have to go along to one of their concerts to see it for yourself.

Hailing from Getxo, Paula Mattheus has won over the public with her mix of pop rock and sincere lyrics, full of experiences and emotions that reflect the heart of an authentic and approachable artist. Her music, marked by honesty, has consolidated her as one of the most promising emerging figures of recent years. Her constant exploration of sounds and themes and her connection with the public make her considered one of the artists with the brightest future.

Marlena has become one of the most iconic, brilliant and energetic pop and rock duos on the current scene. Formed by Ana Legazpi and Carolina Moyano, they are already one of the most powerful and promising acts in our country, with the authenticity of songs as successful as ‘Amor de verano’, ‘Último baile’, ‘Red flags’, ‘Me sabe mal’ and ‘Te vas a inventar’

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Me & The Reptiles is a project made up of Mamen (Me DJ) and René (Reptile DJ), in which they mix the best national and international indietronica tracks, with occasional electric violin interventions. Their show is pure energy and fun, as they will demonstrate at Mojácar 5 Estrellas.