Feria de Málaga, the biggest party of the year
Anyone who has been to Andalucía will have heard about the Feria de Málaga, the largest summer fair in southern Europe.
Officially known as the Feria de Agosto, Malaga fair is the city’s biggest annual festival. It’s a week-long celebration in mid-August full of music, dancing, food, drink and traditional Andalusian culture.
It commemorates the Catholic Monarchs’ entry into Malaga on 19 August 1487, when the city became part of the Crown of Castile. Today, it’s one of Spain’s most famous summer ferias, drawing locals and tourists alike.
It brings normal city life to a standstill. If you need to run errands, forget it. A five-minute walk will become 45 minutes, and when you get there, it will likely be closed.
The daytime fair in Malaga city centre
Throughout the week, the fair becomes divided between the day and night ferias.
Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución become the focal point of all daytime activities with a large tent set up in the middle of the square, selling beer and, of course, Cartojal wine.
This sweet wine is the official drink of the fair. You won’t have to go far to get your hands on a (plastic) bottle of the stuff. Doorways and windows throughout the city suddenly become unofficial outlets, with everyone keen to get in on a bit of business.
Almost every square in the historic centre, but especially Plaza Las Flores, Plaza del Obispo, Plaza de Merced and Plaza de San Pedro de Alcántara, hosts live music of various styles.
There, you’ll find ‘pandas’ (singing and dancing troupes), dressed in typically Andalusian attire, playing traditional music such as verdiales, sevillanas and flamenco.
This more family-oriented part of the fair must finish by local law at 6pm, with activities typically beginning around 1pm.
Malaga Feria at Cortijo de Torres
The parallel part of the Malaga fair takes place at the fairground on the outskirts of the city.
Whether by bus from the Alameda, on the Cercanías trains (nearest stop Victoria Kent) or by Metro (nearest stop Ciudad de la Justicia), people flock en masse to Cortijo de Torres throughout the day, but especially at night.
During the daytime, decorated horses and carriages will be on the fairground every afternoon, providing the most typical images of an Andalusian fair.
However, at night, the atmosphere changes significantly, with large numbers of young people drawn to the fairground rides and cheap alcohol.
Alongside the rides, there are around 200 ‘casetas’. These are bars run by various associations and businesses, including nightclubs, that offer a wide range of entertainment.
These casetas, which are all free to enter, will be open from 2pm daily and may end their daily activities between 2am and 6am. On the public holiday (19 August), they may extend their opening hours until 7am.
Alongside these, the municipal auditorium will also host concerts each night.
It is a strange mix, but every night, without fail, the people get drunk until sunrise, before coming back the following night.
The highlight of the Malaga social calendar
Malaga Fair is not for the faint of heart, but it is an integral part of the city’s calendar and cultural offering.
If you live in the city centre and you’re not a fan of large-scale gatherings (and litter!), it’s best to book a trip away well in advance!
But if you’re looking to party, make the most of the national holiday on 15 August and the local holiday on 19 August and get your pretty frock on!
If you’re planning to visit Malaga especially for the festivities, check hotel availability for Feria de Málaga well in advance.
2026 Feria de Málaga
In 2026, this week of fun will take place from 14 to 22 August.
The festivities kick off just before midnight on the evening of Friday 14 August, with the traditional light and pyromusical show on the city’s beaches.
On Saturday 15 August, the celebrations continue with the traditional pilgrimage in the historic centre, along with the official opening and lighting ceremony at the fairground in the evening, led by the ‘pregón’.
This year, the festivities will conclude on Saturday 22 August.
The full schedule will be published on the Malaga city hall website closer to the date.
Daryl is the co-founder of Malaga Guru. He is a copywriter, editor and translator who moved to Malaga over a decade ago, having first fallen in love with the city on his Erasmus year. After working for many years at local expat newspaper SUR in English, Daryl gained expert knowledge in life from the perspective of foreign residents and decided to co-found this site in 2016.