Malaga Calendar

In Malaga, as in the rest of Spain, numerous festivities are celebrated throughout the year. Here is a summary of the most notable ones:

January

1st January: New Year's Day. A national holiday.
5th-6th January: The Procession of the Three Wise Men. Celebrated with grand parades for children, where various notable individuals have the honour of portraying one of the Three Kings. On the morning of the 6th, children receive their presents.

February

From 23rd February: Carnival. Celebrated nationwide with events like parades, and mask and costume parties.
28th February: Andalusia Day. A regional holiday throughout Andalusia.

May

1st May: International Workers' Day. A national holiday in Spain.
3rd May: May Crosses. Celebrated mainly in Granada with competitions to decorate the most beautiful floral cross, but it is not a holiday in Malaga.

June

18th June: Corpus Christi. A religious event marked by processions in central Malaga, although not a public holiday.
23rd June: Saint John's Day. The longest day of the year, celebrated with bonfires and beach parties, but not a holiday.

July

16th July: Virgin of Carmen. The patron saint of the sea, formerly a holiday in Malaga.

August

Mid-August: Feria de Agosto. A week-long town festival with daytime celebrations in the city centre and nighttime festivities on the outskirts. It features dancing, singing, eating, drinking, horse parades, flamenco concerts, and locals in traditional attire.
15th August: Assumption of Mary. A national holiday honouring one of Spain's patron saints.
19th August: Incorporation of Malaga into the Kingdom of Castile. A local holiday in the province of Malaga.

September

8th September: Virgin of Victory. A local holiday in Malaga's capital.

October

12th October: Hispanic Day. A national holiday celebrated with official parades to commemorate Spanish identity.

November

1st November: All Saints' Day. A national holiday. Halloween is observed in some areas of Malaga, though it is not a traditional Spanish celebration.

December

6th December: Constitution Day. A national holiday marked by official events.
8th December: Immaculate Conception. A national holiday celebrating Spain's patron saint.
25th December: Christmas Day. A national holiday.
28th December: Holy Innocents' Day. Known for pranks akin to April Fools' Day, it is also a day for Flamenco dancing and festivities in Malaga.

History of the Malaga Calendar

The calendar of Malaga is steeped in the rich history of one of the oldest cities in Europe. Founded by the Phoenicians, Malaga was later incorporated into the Roman Empire. As the Roman Empire declined, Malaga became part of the Germanic tribes, but ultimately fell under Arab rule within the kingdom of Al-Andalus.

With the Christian conquest, following a prolonged siege by Christian armies against the Muslims, a significant number of religious buildings were constructed with the aim of stablishing the dominant religion. These buildings brought with them religious celebrations and cattle fairs. One of the most notable dates from this period is the 19th of August, the day Malaga joined the Kingdom of Castile.

During the initial expansion of Christianity, many dates of celebrations and pagan rites were adopted and made their own. These include the 25th of December, which celebrates the winter solstice, and the 24th of June, which celebrates the summer solstice. The latter is celebrated with particular intensity on the coast, where bonfires on the beach are a standout feature. Other celebrations that have endured over the centuries include Holy Innocents' Day on the 28th of December, and Halloween, celebrated on the night of the 31st of October to the 1st of November.

Today, the calendar of Malaga reflects the city's diverse cultural heritage, with a mix of Christian, Muslim, and pagan traditions. Each celebration is a testament to the city's rich history and the resilience of its people.

More Holidays in Malaga

You can visit our blog to learn more about the holidays and events in our province.

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