In Malaga there is never a lack of desire to celebrate. Throughout the year there are numerous occasions to immerse yourself in popular festive activities at the most important festivals and fairs in Malaga.
Below, discover not only the big and multitudinous fairs. We have also prepared a section with the unique festivals in the municipalities of the province that offer an enormous gastronomic wealth.
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Calendar of the most important fairs in Malaga
The fairs of Malaga are synonymous with lively joy, lots of folklore, lots of colour, lots of music, food and drink. If you like to celebrate as much as you can, the Malaga fairs are a must.
Easter Week Malaga March/April
Easter has a variable date depending on Lent, taking place in March or April.
Although it has nothing to do with a Fair, it is one of the most important events of the year in Malaga, attracting thousands of worshippers and visitors every year.
We have put together a special edition of the Easter Week in Malaga with everything you need to know if you are planning to visit.
International Peoples Fair, Fuengirola April/May
It is the most colourful and international fair on the coast, attracting a million visitors every year.
More than 30 nationalities exhibit their culture, dance and gastronomy at the fairgrounds. The dates are usually the last days of April until the 1st of May.
Romantic Ronda May
This event takes place in Ronda and takes us back to the time of the Bandoleros (Highwaymen).
The locals take part in this festival in period costumes, there are historical representations in the streets and squares during a weekend in a very lively atmosphere, where there is no lack of gastronomy and there is also a medieval market.
Feast of St. John 23 June
In all coastal towns thousands of people gather with family and friends on the beach to celebrate the beginning of summer. Food, drink, dancing and the traditional bonfires are the stars of the night.
There are also the traditional San Juan rituals such as getting your feet wet at midnight to bring good luck. The party lasts practically all night long and many people stay on the beach until dawn.
Estepona Fair July
Estepona’s fair is also one of the most popular and fervent. For six days and six nights, practically the whole town celebrates in the streets, squares and the fairgrounds.
Malaga Fair August
One of the most lively and multitudinous fairs in Andalusia, along with Seville. We have for you a special edition of the Feria de Malaga, with everything you need to know.
Pilgrimage and Fair of San Miguel, Torremolinos September
The Pilgrimage of San Miguel is the most multitudinous urban pilgrimage in Spain, which every year attracts some 200,000 people who accompany the procession to the city’s pine forests, where a large country festival takes place.
This is followed by the week-long San Miguel fair, with numerous activities and live music in the streets and squares, as well as in the fairgrounds.
Rosario Fair Fuengirola October
One of the most classic fairs in Andalusia, where predominate horse-drawn carriages through the streets of the city, flamenco singing and dancing or bullfights.
The fairgrounds are full of life, colour and joy, with many booths for all tastes to eat, drink and dance.
Halloween in Malaga
Malaga’s locals love to celebrate, so you can imagine that they have also been quick to adopt this celtic celebration.
If you want to join the party in the streets and squares of the city or any other municipality on the Costa del Sol, in our special edition about Halloween in Malaga you will find everything you need to know.
Christmas in Malaga
December is the Christmas month par excellence in Malaga. In many municipalities there are Christmas Markets.
Calle Larios in Malaga dazzles with its magnificent Christmas lights, which are among the best in the world.
If you are in Malaga at this time of year, you may be interested to know which restaurants are open during the festive season.
Calendar of popular festivals in Malaga
Discover the best of the counties of Malaga through their folklore and gastronomy. It’s well worth taking the car and exploring the province’s marvellous interior.
January
Patron saint festivities, Canillas de Albaida
On the weekend closest to 27 January, this festival takes place in honour of its patron saint, San Anton.
The peculiarity of this celebration is that this saint is the protector of pets, so many villagers come with their pets, which are blessed in the village square. There is a procession, fireworks and a verbena in honour of San Anton with dancing and gastronomy.
February
7 Branches Soup day, El Burgo
This gastronomic festival takes place during the Day of Andalusia, on 28 February.
The sopa de los siete ramales (named after its ingredients) is an emblematic dish of the village. It is made in the traditional way and then distributed free of charge among the thousands of visitors.
Almond Blossom Day, Guaro
This event takes place every year on different dates in this white village in the Serranía de las Nieves.
Two routes of varying difficulty are offered free of charge through the beautiful countryside with almond trees in blossom. You can register for the routes here.
Slaughter festival, Ardales
Dates vary, from February to March.
During this gastronomic festival visitors can taste more than a thousand kilos of products derived from the pig.
Carnival of Malaga
With a variable date, depending on Lent. Specifically, it takes place from Sunday to Sunday, in the week before the beginning of Lent.
There are many leisure activities in the streets and squares of the historic centre. The people of Malaga love to dress up and celebrate these days.
Special mention should be made of the Battle of the Flowers on Friday and the Burial of the Boqueron (Anchovy). It is a parade through the streets to the Malagueta beach. It takes place on the Sunday before
Ash Wednesday and is the grand finale of the carnival in Malaga.
March
Tagarnina Day, Villanueva del Rosario
This gastronomic festival takes place on the last weekend of March.
Visitors can taste for free the typical soup of the village, the “Guiso de tagarnina”.
There are also hiking activities, a popular race “subida a Hondonero”, live music, children’s activities and stalls with typical gastronomic and artisan products.
Fennel Day, Algatocin
Gastronomic fair dedicated to fennel. It normally takes place on the last weekend in March.
The villagers prepare this traditional stew with peas, chorizo and black pudding, which is then distributed free of charge to visitors.
In addition, there are live cooking workshops, live music, workshops for children and a big verbena on Saturday night.
April
Countryside Festival, Benamargosa
A culinary festival in this white village in the Axarquia region, where the locals offer the best of their harvest.
There is a large free popular paella and visitors can try the local drink, Baticate (an avocado and cinnamon milkshake).
There is also live music. Date variable, more info here.
Verdial Olive oil Day, Periana
Gastronomic festival dedicated to the “liquid gold” of the verdial variety which is produced in this village and is characterised by its fruity flavour.
Visitors can enjoy the tasting of this oil in one of the most important gastronomic events in the province of Malaga.
The festival begins in the morning at 10 am with the typical miller’s breakfast, consisting of bread, cod, green beans and verdial olive oil.
In addition, there are verdial music groups. Variable date, more info.
Black pudding day, Canillas de Aceituno
This gastronomic festival takes place on the last Sunday in April to coincide with the patron saint’s festivities.
The locals distribute several hundred kilos of black pudding among the visitors, accompanied by wine and live music.
Passion of Christ, Istan
In the village of Istan a special performance takes place every Maundy Thursday.
Hundreds of inhabitants take part in the re-enactment of the Passion of Christ in the natural setting of the Sierra.
Sakura Alfarnate
A new event inspired by the Japanese sakura, the cherry blossom.
The cherries of Alfarnate are famous and in the village there are many “Fusion activities” such as sakura market, fantasy parades, Japanese fashion, workshops, walks to the sakura (cherry blossom), origami workshops, Japanese writing, hanami, Japanese clothing or aikido exhibitions.
Snail Day, Riogordo
Gastronomic feast of this typical dish, snails in stew, prepared locally, served with olives and local wine. There is also a big festival with a parade, choirs, dances and a livestock fair.
Orange Day, Istan
Gastronomic festival in this village located in Sierra de las Nieves.
Visitors can not only taste many recipes with oranges, but also old culinary recipes such as fennel stew, fried pumpkin with cod and clams, migas and desserts such as zahínas, fried porridge or rice pudding.
There are also dances and music by different “pandas de verdiales”.
Monda Soup Day, Monda
Monda, another village in Sierra de las Nieves, celebrates its famous “Día de la Sopa Mondeña”, a typical dish of the farm workers, which is prepared in the traditional way.
There are also musical performances and a street market with typical local craft and food products.
Loquat Day, Sayalonga
A culinary festival in this village located in the Axarquia region. Visitors can taste the typical products of the municipality such as its famous liqueurs and medlar jams. There is also theatre, exhibitions and a craft market.
Asparagus Day, Sierra de Yeguas
This village dedicated to the cultivation of asparagus invites visitors to taste asparagus cooked in the traditional way, in omelette, scrambled, and grilled, along with a large paella with more than a thousand portions.
San Isidro Pilgrimage, 15 May
A colourful festival dedicated to San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers, with decorated streets and lots of gastronomy and traditional dances.
The villages that are most involved in these festivities are Estepona, Periana, Alcaucín, Churriana, Alfarnate, Ardales, Nerja, Cártama.
June
Cherry Day Alfarnate
This village produces probably the best cherries in the whole province of Malaga.
During this day, more than 600 kg of cherries are distributed for tasting, which can also be purchased.
There are also stalls with other local products, such as bread, sweets, vegetables and olive oil. All this in a festive atmosphere with fandango and traditional dances.
July
Virgen del Carmen seafaring festivities, 15 July
One of the most emotional processions of the whole year. The Virgen del Carmen is the patron saint of fishermen.
The procession passes through the streets and finally embarks into the sea, accompanied by hundreds of worshipers.
The municipalities that are most involved in this tradition are Estepona, Torremolinos, in La Carihuela, and Malaga in El Palo.
August
Gazpacho festival, Alfarnatejo
When the August heat gets too hot, we can go to Alfarnatejo and try the traditional Andalusian cold soup to beat the heat.
This village, located more than 700 m above sea level, has a peculiar way of preparing Gazpacho, with the ingredients chopped entirely by hand, which visitors can try for free.
Verbenas and flamenco performances complete the programme.
Muscatel Grape Day, Iznate
This village is located in the Axarquia region and is dedicated to the cultivation of this special grape variety. The festival is in thanksgiving for the harvest that is about to be taking place.
Wine night, Competa
Competa is also dedicated to the cultivation of grapes. Every 15th of August the fiesta begins with the traditional grape treading.
There is a lot of traditional music, a picnic lunch at midday and the party goes on until the evening with wine and the distribution of migas, salads and cod among the visitors. All enlivened by flamenco singing and a craft market.
Three cultures Festival, Frigiliana
One of the most beautiful events in the Axarquia is this festival that takes place every year in this famous white village located a stone’s throw from Nerja.
The festival pays homage to the peaceful coexistence of the 3 great religions during the Muslim rule in the Middle Ages.
There is a lot of music, juggling, fakir, belly dancing and also children’s activities with traditional games, storytelling, children’s theatre and puppets. There is also plenty of gastronomy. More info here.
Moors and Christians Festival, Benadalid
This theatrical performance takes place in the streets and squares of the eastern part of the Serranía de Ronda.
For two days the inhabitants recreate the battle of the historic Mudejar uprising that took place in Sierra Bermeja in 1501.
September
Ajoblanco Festival, Almachar
A gastronomic festival that takes place every first Saturday in September. This cold soup of Arabic origin is made with almonds and garlic and is ideal for the hot summer months.
Visitors can quench their thirst with free tastings. The whole village is decorated and there are also “Pandas de verdiales”. In the evening the fiesta continues with a large moraga and free sangria.
Grape harvest festival, Manilva
Manilva was once dedicated to the cultivation of vines. This tradition is still alive in the Grape Harvest Festival, with the traditional treading of the grapes.
The grape juice from the first treading (mosto) is then distributed to visitors, and there is no lack of gastronomy and music to liven up the event.
Victorian Anchovy Festival, Rincon de la Victoria
One of the great multitudinous gastronomic events in the province. For several days there are many activities around the famous Victorian anchovy product:
Showcookings, live music, workshops and stalls with agri-food products. And of course, several thousand kilos of the prized delicacy are distributed in all its forms of preparation.
Maravillas Fair, Maro
This small village very close to Nerja celebrates every year the fiestas in honour of its patron saint, the Virgen de las Maravillas, from the 6th to the 10th of September.
Moorish Moon Festival, Guaro
This popular and multitudinous event takes place over an entire weekend.
In this village in Sierra de las Nieves, Andalusian music and culture are celebrated in the light of thousands of candles. There is plenty of gastronomy, music, workshops and a large souk with handicraft products.
Enchantment of Al Andalus, Carratraca
This event also takes place in Carratraca to celebrate Al Andalus culture. With more than 20,000 candles, visitors can enjoy a craft market, live music and lots of gastronomy.
Malaga Goat Festival, Casabermeja
A gastronomic festival revolving around goat’s cheese. With live music, craft market, cheese tasting and much more.
Raisin Day, El Borge
El Borge is a raisin-producing village par excellence.
Thousands of visitors gather there every year for this gastronomic event with tastings of sultanas, gazpacho, muscatel wine, sausages and other typical products of the gastronomy of the Axarquia region. And of course there is no shortage of music.
Almond Day, Almogía
This gastronomic event is held every last Sunday in September in this village in the Guadalhorce region.
There are exhibitions of craft trades, live music and tastings of chanfaina, cheese, almendrado, desserts and local wines.
October
Perota Soup Day, Alora
A gastronomic festival based around the most important traditional dish of this town, accompanied by the famous Aloreña olives, local bread and local wine, as well as many parallel activities.
Artisan Cheese Fair, Teba
Lovers of artisan cheese will find the best Andalusian cheeses and the most important designations of origin of the Iberian Peninsula at this fair.
There are cheese tastings and sales, as well as typical products of the local gastronomy such as sausages, honey, wines and pastries.
More info.
Monfí Festival, Cutar
This village of Arab origin pays tribute to its past with a colourful street market, gastronomic tastings, and a wide programme of activities such as parades, workshops, music, archery and exhibitions of birds of prey and the art of falconry.
Chestnut and wine Festival, Yunquera
The large chestnut forests of Sierra de las Nieves are famous for the excellent fruit they produce.
This festival takes place at the time of the chestnut harvest. There is an extensive programme with tourist routes and tastings, competitions, concerts and parades.
November
Chestnut Festival, Pujerra
This village in Serranía de Ronda is another one that celebrates on All Saints’ Day its product par excellence, the chestnut.
Not only is there chestnut roasting, but there is also a tasting of products made with chestnuts and lots of music. If you arrive early around 9:30 am, you can sign up for free churros with chocolate for the whole village.
Tostón Festival, Ojen
The fiesta of the Tostón in Ojen is one of its most traditional celebrations.
It takes place on the first Sunday after All Saints’ Day. There are tastings of roasted chestnuts, sultanas in brandy, chorizo sausage and freshly grilled bacon.
There is also a market with crafts and local products.
Grape must Festival, Atajate
Fiesta del Mosto is held on the last Saturday in November. In the town square you can taste the different varieties of must produced by each family free of charge.
Grape must and cured meat Festival, Colmenar
A gastronomic festival that revolves around the meat products of the municipality, accompanied by the famous local must.
Chacina Fair, Benaojan
This village in Serranía de Ronda celebrates this gastronomic day with stalls selling artisan products from the region, such as cold meats and sausages, sweets, breads, preserves, honey and desserts.
And of course, there is no shortage of live music.
Chanfaina Day, Totalan
This village located in the Axarquia region celebrates on this day the typical dish par excellence of the locality. During the last Sunday in November, thousands of portions of this dish are handed out free of charge.
There is also a street market where you can buy local products such as extra virgin olive oil, fruit, bread, meat and handicrafts.
December
Purple carrot Festival, Cuevas Bajas
This village specialises in the cultivation of a rather peculiar purple-coloured carrot. Every first Sunday in December it pays tribute to this vegetable, along with a tasting of migas.
There is also a street market with local products, children’s activities and live music.
Feast of the Virgen de los Rondeles, Casarabonela
This centuries-old tradition takes place in this village in Sierra de las Nieves at night, starting at 10.30 pm.
On the 12th of December, on the eve of Santa Lucia, the town of Casarabonela celebrates the Fiesta de los Rondeles.
It is an emotional journey through the village by the light of homemade torches, accompanied by carols from the pastoral groups.
The procession ends in the early hours of the morning, with tastings of toast with oil, fritters and hot chocolate.
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