Malaga Carnival

After Christmas and the Three Kings celebrations fade away, Malaga enters a quieter period. However, that calm doesn’t last long.

By mid-February, the city explodes back into life with the Malaga Carnival, one of the most colourful and humorous events in the Andalusian calendar.

Known locally as Carnaval de Málaga, this week-long celebration fills the historic centre with music, costumes and satire.

It’s a major cultural event, not just a party, and it attracts both locals and visitors from across Spain.

When is Malaga Carnival? Why do the dates change?

Much like Holy Week, the Malaga Carnival doesn’t have fixed dates. That’s because the carnival’s timing is linked to the Catholic calendar.

In fact, it always takes place in the week before Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. This means the Malaga Carnival usually falls between early and late February.

Each year, the exact dates shift slightly, so checking the programme in advance is important when planning a visit.

‘Comparsas’, satire and street performances

At the heart of the Malaga Carnival are the comparsas, organised singing groups that compete in a highly anticipated contest.

Each comparsa performs theatrical songs that combine humour, irony and pointed social or political commentary.

Some focus on national or local politics, while others draw on everyday life in Andalucía, using wordplay and regional humour that strongly resonates with locals (you’ll need a fairly advanced level of Spanish to understand!).

These performances are the result of months of preparation, with groups refining lyrics, choreography and costumes.

The official competition begins weeks before carnival week, primarily inside theatres, but many groups also perform informally in the streets during the festivities.

Where are the main Malaga Carnival events held?

Most Malaga Carnival events take place in the historic city centre.

Plaza de la Constitución serves as the main outdoor hub, particularly during the weekends, hosting large public events and performances.

Meanwhile, the Cervantes Theatre plays a key role in the comparsa competition, with tickets for the later rounds and final often selling out well in advance.

Throughout the week, spontaneous performances pop up in squares and side streets, turning much of the centre into an open-air performance space.

What happens during carnival week?

Despite taking place in winter, the Malaga Carnival has a lively, high-energy atmosphere. Events run from morning until late at night, with the busiest periods falling on the two weekends.

Daytime activities are often family-friendly, including children’s parades and early performances.

As evening approaches, the tone becomes more adult, with bolder humour, elaborate costumes and packed crowds.

One of the standout events is the Drag Queen Gala, a flamboyant, satirical show that has become one of the programme’s most popular highlights.

2026 Malaga Carnival dates and key highlights

In 2026, the Malaga Carnival takes place from 7 to 15 February, featuring a full schedule of parades, galas and street celebrations.

Highlights include the Gran Desfile del Carnaval on Sunday 8 February, when floats and performance groups parade through the city centre.

The main weekend features the official opening speech (pregón), the Drag Queen Gala, the Batalla de las Flores with petals and confetti filling the square, and a live concert by local band Mr Proper on the traditional fancy-dress Saturday.

Festivities conclude on Sunday 15 February with Domingo de Piñata, a family-oriented day that includes the Gran Boqueroná, a free anchovy tasting, alongside parades and street animation.

The burial of the anchovy: Malaga’s carnival finale

The Malaga Carnival ends with one of its most distinctive traditions: the Entierro del Boquerón, or burial of the anchovy.

A giant anchovy effigy is carried in a mock funeral procession from Calle Larios to La Malagueta beach.

The boquerón, a symbol of Malaga’s fishing heritage and local identity, is typically decorated to reflect current events.

Once at the beach, it is ceremonially burned in a firework-lit finale, marking the symbolic end of excess and the beginning of Lent.

Daryl Finch

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.