Dreambeach is moving to Vélez-Málaga (Málaga) for its 2026 edition, leaving behind its traditional location in Almería (Villaricos) and most recently Retamar to begin a new chapter on the Costa del Sol.

DreamBeach 2026 will be held on July 31 and August 1, 2026, to bring the best electronic music to Vélez-Málaga.

Dreambeach Costa del Sol 2026 marks a new horizon for the Andalusian festival, betting on a new location in Málaga and beginning a stage of changes and evolution toward a new format. The 12th edition will take place at the  Recinto Ferial de la Avenida Juan Carlos I de Vélez-Málaga, right on the Costa del Sol, which also brings a new name: Dreambeach Costa del Sol.

This new concept and relocation to the province of Málaga marks the start of a new trajectory linked to the most powerful brands on the electronic circuit, which will be announced in the coming weeks. Dreambeach is embracing a format that breaks from its traditional programming and will develop a lineup where the strongest projects in the electronic scene—alongside the most prominent national and international artists—will be a new attraction.

Dreambeach was originally a two-day dance festival featuring top electronic music that has now grown to a four or five day event. This festival usually takes place in the run up to the first weekend (Thursday to Saturday plus Sunday close) in August. Around 30.000 festival goers attend the auditorium each day. There is camping zone for 30.000. The Villaricos site was strictly over 18 years old however at the Retemar site the organisors have changed this policy permitting those 16 and 17 to attend withparents signed permission. Dreambaeach was the effective successor to Creamfield Andalucia which was held in Playa Villaricos from 2004-2007 and then in other locations until 2012 when Dreambeach started in 2013.

Antecedentes del sitio de Retemar.
On 2024 festival site was controversial. At Retamar there was strong opposition from local residents who formed a pressure group called 'No al Dreambeach en El Toyo' (No to Dreambeach in El Toyo) and generated much media coverage. They pointed out that the natural environment on land ajacent to the festival site, which is classified as 'red Natura 2000', is not protected. They are concerned about the proximity to Almeria airport, although Aviacion Civil's filed a non-objection. They also had concerns about noise pollution especially when the Almeria City suspended local noise limit by-laws for the weekend. However, the authorities at all levels did not supported their position. The residents claimed that permission was given first and then environmental studies and conditions were imposed later. the National Police force took responsibility for security at the festival for the forst time and reported positively tha there were only nine arrests. An edition that has seen 120,000 people attend the festival during the three days. In other words 40.000 over three nights. The Hotels (Asociación Provincial de Empresarios de Hostelería de Almería) announced there had been a drop od 25-45% in occupancy around the festival and a income loss of 450.000 €. Meanwhile the Almería City Council, the Regional Government and the festival organisers anounced together an economic impact of 12 million euro.