Events

La Cala de Mijas Lions celebrate a Festive Gastronomic Christmas Lunch at Cyrano Bar & Grill The La Cala de Mijas Lions Club returned to La Cala’s Cyrano Bar & Grill on Saturday, 6 December, for their 2025 Christmas Lunch – marking the second consecutive year the popular venue has hosted the Club’s seasonal celebration. Styled as “a social and taste extravaganza, a complete gastronomic experience,” the occasion more than lived up to Lion social secretary Sandie’s promise, drawing around 100 guests for an afternoon of exceptional cuisine and festive cheer. Cyrano Bar & Grill delivered a seamless service, presenting a three-course meal that showcased both creativity and tradition. Alongside the classic Christmas turkey dish, guests had options to enjoy the restaurant’s signature specialities, including spicy Thai noodles and an eye-catching chicken pâté crafted in the shape of black glazed pear – demonstrating the venue’s flair for culinary artistry and attention to detail. As lunch progressed, the atmosphere grew ever more lively. Well-known entertainer Ricky Lavazza provided upbeat live music, filling the restaurant with beloved hits from the Sixties and Seventies, inspiring many guests to take to the dance floor. His performance added a warm and nostalgic touch to the afternoon’s celebrations. The generosity of those attending was equally uplifting. Guests enthusiastically supported the raffle and auction, featuring a range of local prizes donated by businesses and friends of the Lions. Funds raised from these activities will contribute directly to the La Cala de Mijas Lions’ ongoing commitment to support individuals and groups in need within the local community.The Lions were heartfelt in their thanks. Don’t forget the Lions Charity Shops for your Christmas Gifts. Something there for everyone and we are busy getting together gifts to distribute to the Local families in need so if you have any treats we can donate – chocs. toys, cakes anything really to bring a smile on a dull day.

La Cala de Mijas Lions Club -VERY Merry Christmas Market Brings Community Together The La Cala de Mijas Lions Club held its annual Christmas Market on Sunday, 30 November, turning Butibamba Park into a festive hub of community spirit, charity, and holiday cheer. Many thanks to Mijas Town Hall Sports Dept. And La Cala Foreign Residents Dept for all their help. Despite a slightly delayed start while early rain clouds passed, the sun soon emerged – and so did the crowds. Local residents and visitors arrived in great numbers intent upon doing some serious buying for the perfect gifts for Christmas and to enjoy a lively and heart-warming day out. This year’s Market, as in previous events, featured a wonderful variety of stalls offering Christmas crafts, handmade gifts, and festive presents, creating plenty of opportunities for early seasonal shopping. The café served excellent food throughout the day, whilst one of the busiest spots was the Lions’ own stand, where Sandie and fellow Lions kept spirits high with glasses of cava and their much-loved sausage rolls. Entertainment was a highlight, with vibrant performances from The Beachside Strummers Ukulele Band, the Victor Rojas Flamenco Group and Vocalist – NIKKI and the ever-popular Drang drummers, whose rhythms filled the park and drew enthusiastic applause. Children enjoyed not only the swings and attractions of the park’s play area, but also creative sessions hosted by local Scouts, along with Hanna’s painting and play zone beside the café All were delighted to see the arrival of Father and Mother Christmas with their bag of goodies for the little ones. The Fayre once again demonstrated the strength of community support for the Lions’ ongoing charitable work. As the festive season approaches, the La Cala de Mijas Lions continue their commitment to helping those in need. The Club is currently assembling its annual Christmas shoeboxes and bags of goodies filled with toys, treats, and small gifts for local children for distribution in collaboration with Cáritas to families who need it most. The Lions Club extends heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, performers, stallholders, and visitors who helped make this year’s Fayre a joyful success. Don’t forget the Lions Charity Shop is your one-stop shop for fashion and gifts for Christmas. Thanks again for all your support. We’ll also be at the Solidarity Market outside the Town Hall every Wednesday and Saturday from 11am to 2 pm until Christmas. ……together with our Diabetic Support Group and their nurses. (See photo)

Successful 7th Annual Diabetes Walkathon The charity Diabetes Awareness Walkathon held on Sunday, 2 November, proved to be a wonderful success, drawing an enthusiastic crowd and generating a warm sense of community spirit. More than 200 walkers took part in the five-kilometre route along the beautiful Boardwalk at La Cala de Mijas, enjoying the fresh air, the camaraderie, and the opportunity to contribute to a good cause. This was the seventh annual walkathon organised by the Diabetic Support Group, part of the La Cala de Mijas Lions Club, and it once again demonstrated the group’s dedication to raising awareness and support for those living with diabetes. The event was extremely well attended by members of the public, including families, local residents, and visitors who came out to show their encouragement. Many participants commented on how well organised the Walk was and how enjoyable the route proved to be, offering lovely sea views and plenty of space for walkers of all ages and fitness levels. A light breeze drifted in from the coast, helping to keep everyone cool as they made their way along the Boardwalk. In addition to the Walk itself, a lively market area was set up nearby, featuring a variety of stalls offering arts, crafts, handmade goods, and local products. Shoppers and onlookers enjoyed browsing the stands both before and after the Walk, adding to the festive atmosphere. The sound of bagpipes added a unique touch to the day, thanks to the talented bagpiper Leslie Thompson, who kept spirits high as he played cheerful tunes while piping among the market stalls. Musical entertainment continued throughout the event, thanks to Sean with several local performers taking to the stage to provide lively background music and encourage the public. The combination of warmup exercises before the Walk by Lisa of Thrive , community participation, and entertainment made for a truly memorable day. The day was made possible by Mijas Town Hall Sports department and the La Cala de Mijas Foreign Residents department. Organisers from the Diabetic Support Group expressed their gratitude to all who took part, including the La Cala Lions Club members and volunteers, the sponsors, including restaurant El Cortijillo for their generosity this year, and the many Walkers who helped make the event such a success. Funds raised will go toward supporting diabetes awareness and educational initiatives in the local area, ensuring that the Walkathon’s positive impact continues long after the final steps were taken. Watch out for further activities throughout November for World Diabetes Day celebrations