London-based DJ and creative Donnie Sunshine took to the Kimpton Marbella, pool stage at sundown © Michelle Chaplow
Kimpton Musik Fest - 9th 10th 11th October 2026
Contemporary music and dance festivals in Andalucia
By Chris Chaplow
Kimpton Musik Fest: A Stylish Farewell to Summer in Marbella
Music, poolside dining and sunset vibes at Kimpton Los Monteros
The Kimpton Musik Fest brought a fresh, boutique feel to Marbella’s summer social scene, combining live music, international DJs, poolside food stalls and laid-back luxury at the stylish Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella. Designed as an intimate celebration rather than a large-scale festival, the event offered a relaxed way to bid farewell to summer on the Costa del Sol.
From sunset drinks on the rooftop to poolside food stalls and late-night sessions, the festival followed the natural rhythm of the day, building from a chilled Friday evening into a lively Saturday party before winding down with a Sunday morning wellness session.
The concept was simple: good music, great food and a carefully curated atmosphere, bringing together local insiders, creatives, international visitors and travellers who appreciate Marbella’s more sophisticated side.
Never ending October summer nights at the Kimptom Marbella
Friday: Sunset Sounds on the Rooftop
The festival opened on Friday evening at the Escondido Rooftop terrace, where guests gathered to enjoy the sunset and cool sea views. DJ Pepe Marino set the tone for the weekend with a warm-up session designed to ease guests into the festival mood.
With its relaxed rooftop setting, the opening evening offered a chance to catch up with friends, enjoy a drink and watch the light fade over the coast before the main event the following day.
Marbellí nights, feeling the groove at the Kimptom Musik Fest
Saturday: Poolside Beats and International Flavours
Saturday was the main event, with the action moving to the pool area from late afternoon and continuing into the evening. Music, food and the festival atmosphere came together in a setting that felt more like a stylish summer gathering than a traditional music festival.
DJs take centre stage
London-based DJ Daisybelle opened the musical programme, bringing her Colombian and Puerto Rican roots to the decks. At 21:30, Donnie Sunshine took to the stage, keeping the energy going as the afternoon gave way to night.
The party later moved indoors to the lounge bar, where Kansha played the After Dark session, extending the evening with a change of setting and atmosphere.
A poolside feast with an international twist
Food was an important part of the experience, with poolside food trucks offering an appealing range of dishes, including fresh oysters, tacos and paella. Spanish flavours also featured, including jamón serrano and traditional tapas adding a local touch to the international menu.
Live carving stations beside the pool brought a sense of theatre to the dining experience, while the sweet selection offered plenty of temptation for dessert lovers. Options ranged from coconut energy balls to homemade ice creams, providing a refreshing finish to an afternoon and evening spent in the Marbella sunshine.
The mix of casual food stalls, Spanish favourites and international street-food influences complemented the festival’s informal, sociable atmosphere.
Kimpton Musik Fest Marbella 2026
Sunday: A Softer Landing
It was a fitting end to an event built around more than just music, balancing late-night entertainment with a slower, wellness-led approach to the final morning.
A Boutique Alternative to the Big Festival
What sets the Kimpton Musik Fest apart was its deliberately intimate approach. Rather than relying on enormous stages, packed crowds and the scale of a conventional festival, it offered a more personal experience, where music, food, design and the setting are equally important.
The result was a curated summer closing party that reflected Marbella’s contemporary lifestyle: international in outlook, relaxed in atmosphere and with a strong emphasis on enjoying the moment.
For those looking for a different way to mark the end of summer on the Costa del Sol, the Kimpton Musik Fest brought together the essential ingredients — sunset views, poolside dining, DJs, late-night music and a Sunday morning reset — in one stylish setting.
More than simply a music event, it was a celebration of the Marbella summer lifestyle, with one last dance before the season drew to a close.
Kimpton Musik Fest: Meet theThe DJs Who Brought Global Sounds to Marbella.
An international line-up with a Costa del Sol connection
The DJ line-up for the Kimpton Musik Fest brought together artists associated with London's eclectic club scene, Paris's house and disco culture, and Marbella's beachside music community. From vinyl-led selections and soulful house to contemporary club sounds, the programme reflected the variety of electronic music being played across Europe's nightlife circuit.
Poolside at the Kimpton Musik fest
About the artists
Daisybelle: London-based DJ with international influences
Puerto Rican-Colombian DJ and music producer Daisybelle has established a presence on London's electronic music scene through her eclectic approach to house, disco and global sounds. A dedicated vinyl collector, she draws on musical influences from different continents and eras, combining warm, soulful selections with deeper underground grooves.
Her production work includes releases on New York's Nervous Records, Razor-N-Tape and Future Disco. Her performance history includes recognised venues and festivals such as fabric, Printworks and Lost Village, alongside appearances on music platforms including My Analog Journal.
For the Kimpton Musik Fest, her broad musical palette offered a link between London's underground house scene and the international influences that shape her sets.
The Kimpton Musik Fest featured Mx Cartier back-to-back with Eva Ciano
MENU Collective: Mx Cartier and Eva Ciano bring Parisian house and groove
Paris-based collective MENU centres on house, disco and groove-led music, presenting DJ sessions in distinctive settings beyond the conventional club environment. Its events and filmed sets showcase a mix of established influences and contemporary underground selections.
The Kimpton Musik Fest featured Mx Cartier back-to-back with Eva Ciano. A back-to-back, or B2B, set sees two DJs share the decks, taking turns to select and mix tracks.
The pairing reflected MENU's emphasis on house and disco, with deep grooves and club-focused rhythms at the heart of its musical identity. The duo have also appeared together at Paris events promoted under the MENU name, including a 2026 takeover at Sacré.
Their appearance added a Parisian perspective to a programme that connects international electronic music with Marbella's social and outdoor setting.
DJ Donnie Sunshine on stage
Donnie Sunshine: Eclectic sounds from London's club scene
London-based DJ and creative Donnie Sunshine took to the Kimpton's pool stage just after dark. Donnie is known for sets that move between musical genres and eras. His approach combines contemporary club sounds with less familiar selections and cult dance-floor favourites. He has been a DJ for 20 years and this was his first time in Marbella. His set took us on a journey around the world with music from all five continents. It was clear when the tempo and style had changed that we had switched a continent.
Donnie’s sets draw on styles including baile funk and Jersey club edits, with an emphasis on maintaining energy and introducing audiences to unexpected tracks. His work spans London's club, festival, fashion and cultural scenes, with appearances at events and venues including Body Movements, Wilderness, Somerset House and Southbank Centre.
His open-format approach brought a different dimension to the festival programme, moving beyond a single house or disco sound.
La Siesta Records Hotel Kimpton Musik Fest
La Siesta Records: Marbella's beachside music culture
La Siesta began on Marbella's beaches in 2022, growing from informal gatherings among friends into a wider lifestyle and music project. Its own account of its origins places community, beach-side events and shared musical experiences at the centre of the brand. Three DJ from La Siesta together played a two hour set to close the Kimpton's pool stage.
La Siesta Records developed as an extension of that project, providing a platform for musical talent. Its connection to Marbella gave the collective a local dimension within the festival line-up.
The beach setting and the Costa del Sol's outdoor social culture provide a natural context for the laid-back sounds associated with Balearic music, deep house and sunset DJ sessions.
Marbella Nights - Noches marbellíes
Kansha took to the lounge bar stage
Kansha took to the lounge bar stage pretty much as La Siesta played the last note shortly before 01.00 The festival goers moved inside
Kansha is a musical DJ duo based in Marbella, Spain, formed by Nirvana Villar and Marco Reyes. Both coming from strong backgrounds rooted in art and music, they originally established the project after drawing inspiration from the backstages and live sets of top international electronic artists.
Musically, Kansha played a blend of melodic house and afro house. Their sonic signature revolves around creating dynamic, emotionally driven performances designed to forge an intimate connection with the dance floor, combining carefully structured mixes with fluid rhythm and movement.
The duo performs regularly across high-end lounge venues and international guest residencies, such as special appearances at the Nobu Lounge in Marrakech and key festival events on the Coast. Through their sets, they continue to build a distinct presence within the Mediterranean and global electronic music circuit.
A meeting of international and local sounds
The Kimpton Musik Fest 2026 line-up brought together different approaches to electronic music: Daisybelle's globally influenced selections, Donnie Sunshine's genre-spanning sets, MENU's Parisian house and disco aesthetic, and the beach-side roots of La Siesta Records.
Together, these artists connected international club culture with Marbella's established identity as a destination for outdoor music and social events, offered festival-goers a varied soundtrack on the Costa del Sol. One set included a long and anthem-like mix of the 1977 Donna Summer "I feel love".
As the final set drew to a close, festival goers began making their way out, filtering into the iconic central courtyard of Los Monteros. The fortunate few simply had to walk down the corridor and take the elevator up to their rooms. Others crossed paths with hotel guests returning from evening galas in full black-tie and elegant ball gowns. Nobody batted an eyelid—this was, after all, Marbella.
Location
Kimpton Musik Fest at Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella