Fairs and festivals in Antequera

Antequera’s Real Feria de Agosto

The Real Feria usually takes place in the second half of August. Its origins date back to 1748, when Ferdinand VI granted Antequera permission to hold an annual fair. Over time, celebrations became part of the trading event, eventually turning it into one of the city’s main festivals.

The exact dates change each year. Before planning your trip, check Antequera’s official festival programme (in Spanish) for concerts, competitions and other activities.

Daytime celebrations on Paseo Real

Paseo Real hosts much of the daytime fair, with live performances and casetas: venues specially prepared for people to gather, eat, drink and celebrate. Other bars and fair venues around the town centre also take part.

You can spend the morning exploring Antequera before heading to Paseo Real for tapas. One local speciality is porra antequerana, a thick, chilled soup made with tomatoes, bread and olive oil. The dish even has its own competition during the fair.

Evening celebrations at the fairground

In the evening, much of the activity moves to the Parque Norte fairground. Here you will find casetas, stalls and funfair rides, as well as the live music performances listed in the programme.

Paseo Real allows you to combine the fair with a stroll through the town centre. For the rides and many of the evening concerts, head to the fairground.

Opening celebrations, competitions and shows

The opening address, known as the pregón, and the switching on of the decorative lights mark the start of the Real Feria. Over the following days, the programme includes live music, competitions for flamenco dresses and traditional riding outfits, equestrian activities and bullfighting events.

The performers, times and closing show vary from year to year. Some events, such as the Señor de la Verónica pilgrimage, take place before the main fair begins.

Visiting the fair with children

The funfair rides are one of the main attractions for families. Recent editions have included Children’s Days with reduced ride prices, alongside quiet periods for visitors who are sensitive to noise. Check the programme to choose a suitable day and time.

In August, save longer walks for the cooler parts of the day. If you plan to enjoy both the daytime and evening celebrations, take a break before heading to the fairground.

Señor de la Verónica pilgrimage

The Mass and pilgrimage in honour of the Santísimo Cristo de la Verónica take place each year in the days leading up to the Real Feria de Agosto. This religious tradition brings together Antequera residents, worshippers from the surrounding area and visitors.

The celebration begins with a Mass at Antequera’s bullring, accompanied by the choir of the local Rocío brotherhood. Afterwards, the image of Christ is carried in a pilgrimage procession to the Señor de la Verónica chapel.

Recent editions have taken place in the late afternoon, avoiding the hottest part of the day. If you would like to attend, check the date, time and route in the official programme. The pilgrimage takes place before the fair begins and does not always fall on the same day of the week.

Spring Fair and AGROGANT

The Spring Fair, also known as the Feria de Mayo, usually takes place in late May, although some editions extend into early June. It began in 1856 to encourage trade and agriculture in Antequera, and retains its rural connections through AGROGANT, Antequera’s agricultural and livestock fair.

Casetas, concerts and funfair rides run alongside food exhibitions and livestock events. The Malagueña goat breed plays a prominent role, with exhibitions, competitions and professional meetings devoted to it.

For visitors, the fair offers a chance to sample produce from across the province and learn about the area’s farming traditions. The programme may include tastings, family workshops and children’s activities. The Expomaq agricultural machinery exhibition is held at selected editions, so check the programme if you are particularly interested in attending.

Floral offering to the Virgen de los Remedios

The floral offering to Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, Antequera’s patron Virgin, is one of the Spring Fair’s traditional events. A procession makes its way through the town centre to her church, where flowers are offered and traditional dances are performed.

Residents wearing traditional Antequera dress and local folk groups take part. Alongside the casetas and rides, this is an opportunity to discover some of the city’s customs.

You can find more information on the official Spring Fair and AGROGANT page (in Spanish).

Other festivals and celebrations in Antequera

Carnival

Carnival features fancy dress competitions and performances by carnival groups. If you are visiting Antequera during this period, check the municipal events calendar for parades, performances and family activities.

Holy Week

During Holy Week, or Semana Santa, religious processions make their way through the old town. One distinctive local tradition is correr la vega: at the end of their routes, some of the platforms carrying religious images are carried rapidly up the slopes towards their churches. It is one of the most characteristic moments of Holy Week in Antequera.

Noche Flamenca de Santa María

This flamenco evening is usually held in early August near the Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor. It brings singing, guitar playing and dance to the city’s historic quarter. The date and line-up are announced in each summer’s cultural programme.

Patron saints’ celebrations

• Cristo de la Salud y de las Aguas: religious services and a procession honouring this image of Christ form part of the May calendar.
• Virgen de los Remedios: her feast day is celebrated on 8 September.
• Santa Eufemia: celebrations honouring the patron saint take place around 16 September, with a procession and traditional bonfires.

Broad Bean Day in Villanueva de la Concepción

If you are looking for a food festival nearby, Día de la Haba, or Broad Bean Day, takes place in April in the neighbouring municipality of Villanueva de la Concepcion. The celebration centres on broad beans and local produce. Check the date for the year of your visit before setting off.

Getting to Antequera’s fairs

From Malaga city, take the A-45 towards Cordoba and follow the signposted exits for Antequera. From Malaga Airport, allow around an hour by car, depending on traffic and your chosen route.

For the Real Feria de Agosto, there are two main locations: Paseo Real, which hosts much of the daytime fair, and the Parque Norte fairground, with rides and evening entertainment. Road closures, parking arrangements and special transport services are announced for each edition.

Driving to Antequera and exploring the area

A hire car allows you to combine the fair with a visit to the dolmens or El Torcal and arrange journeys from your accommodation around your own plans. Park and continue on foot to explore the town centre. If you intend to drink alcohol at the fair, arrange another way to get back.

Car hire Malaga airport

Taxi or private transfer to Antequera

A private transfer takes you from Malaga Airport to Antequera without having to drive. Provide your destination address when booking and arrange the return journey too if you plan to travel back after the fair. Agree on a pick-up point that takes account of access restrictions and road closures.

Book a taxi or transfer

*No advance payment is required and cancellation is free. We therefore recommend booking ahead to secure vehicle availability and the price.

By bus

Bus services connect Malaga’s bus station with Antequera. If you are travelling from the airport, you can first head into Malaga and connect with an intercity bus there. Check the outward timetable and, especially, the last return service before planning an evening visit.

By train

Antequera AV is the closest station to the city, around 2 km from the centre. Do not confuse it with Antequera-Santa Ana, which is around 18 km away and requires an onward journey by road. Check the arrival station and train times with Renfe before buying your ticket.

Getting around during the fair

Paseo Real and the town centre can be explored on foot. To reach the fairground, check the special transport services announced by the council. Tourist road trains have provided shuttle services at various editions, with routes and times set for each fair.

The official Antequera Tourism travel information page outlines the options for reaching the city by car, bus and train.

Dates and official programme

To plan your visit, check Antequera council’s official festival programme (in Spanish). It lists the dates, concerts, children’s activities and traditional celebrations for each edition.

For performances and cultural events throughout the rest of the year, see Antequera’s cultural calendar (in Spanish).