Malaga Carnival

After the Christmas and Kings’ festivities are out of the way, we have to wait until around mid-February for the next big party of the year in Malaga. That said, it’s a big one.

Like in many towns and cities across Spain, the Carnaval de Málaga is a big deal – a week-long celebration filled with music and colour.

Much like Holy Week, the date of the carnival varies from year to year. In this case, it falls on the week before the start of Lent.

Colourful, comedic competitions

This extravagant celebration of Spanish life and culture has enthusiasts preparing for months. There are several competitions organised, which feature groups of performers (‘comparsas’) competing to be declared the winner.

These musical, theatrical or comedic performances are typically very colourful and can be satirical interpretations of current affairs, typically mocking the government of the day or the Church.

The competition actually begins weeks before, with those who progress battling it out in the Grand Final. This takes place on the first Friday of Carnival, hosted at the Cervantes Theatre.

After the competition, the singing groups disperse into the streets of Malaga, where they can be found all week, impressing the crowds with their extravagant outfits and humorous lyrics.

Though the carnival atmosphere can be felt all week, most of the main events take place on the two weekends. Some of the highlights include the children’s parade and the Drag Queen Gala, with Plaza de la Constitución as the centre of the action.

Burial of the anchovy

Carnival in Malaga comes to an end with the famous Entierro del Boquerón parade. This is a mock funeral procession with pallbearers carrying a large ‘anchovy’ from Calle Larios to La Malagueta beach.

This fish, one of the main symbols of Malaga, is decorated differently each year, in a topical manner. Once at the beach, a fireworks display coincides with its burning and “burial” at the shore.

2026 Carnaval de Málaga

The 2026 edition of the Carnaval de Málaga takes place from 7 to 15 February.

For more information and a timetable of events, visit www.carnavaldemalaga.es.

Daryl Finch

Daryl is the co-founder of Malaga Guru. He is a copywriter, editor and translator who moved to Malaga 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.