{"id":74206,"date":"2023-08-04T09:53:53","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T07:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=74206"},"modified":"2026-10-29T19:59:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T18:59:20","slug":"malaga-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/malaga-fair\/","title":{"rendered":"M\u00e1laga Fair: dates, programme and things to do"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The M\u00e1laga Fair is the city\u2019s big summer festival and, in its 2026 edition, it will be held 15\u201322 August<\/strong>. Admission is free and open to all, and it has two very distinct sides: the daytime fair, which fills the historic centre with music and an open-air atmosphere, and the night-time fair, which moves to the Real del Cortijo de Torres with stalls, stages and attractions until the early hours. Understanding this dual nature is key to planning your visit effectively.<\/p>\n\n

One key difference compared with other Andalusian fairs: In M\u00e1laga, almost all the festival tents are free to enter<\/strong>, unlike in Seville, where most are private and require an invitation. Here, you can get into almost any caseta without knowing anyone.<\/p>\n\n

If you\u2019re staying on the coast and want to pop into the capital during those days without having to worry about the car or parking, you can do so with a day trip to M\u00e1laga from the Costa del Sol<\/a>, which covers the journey and leaves you with some free time to wander around the city centre. Below you\u2019ll find the dates, the programme and some practical tips to help you make the most of the fair.<\/p>\n\n

When is the M\u00e1laga Fair: 2026 edition, from 15 to 22 August<\/h2>\n

The 2026 M\u00e1laga Fair takes place from 15 to 22 August, from Saturday to Saturday. It comprises eight full days of festivities, kicking off on the evening of the first Saturday with the opening speech and the switching on of the lights at the Real, and ending the following Saturday.<\/p>\n

The day before, the 14 August<\/strong>, has its own programme: the Historical Parade, the fireworks display and a drone show on the city\u2019s beaches. There\u2019s no fair at the Real that night yet, but lots of people take the opportunity to head into the city centre. The best spots to watch the fireworks are the the beaches of La Misericordia, Huelin and La Malagueta<\/strong>, as well as Gibralfaro Castle.<\/p>\n

The dates do not remain fixed from year to year, but always revolve around 19 August, the day on which M\u00e1laga\u2019s incorporation into the Crown of Castile in 1487 is commemorated, following the conquest of the city by the Catholic Monarchs. That is why the fair takes place in the middle of the month and usually falls between two weekends. If you\u2019re planning your trip in advance, bear in mind that accommodation in the city fills up weeks in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fireworks
The fireworks on New Year\u2019s Eve, seen from the beach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Brief history of the Malaga Fair<\/h2>\n

The origins of the festival are directly linked to that historic date in 1487, when the Catholic Monarchs captured the city. To mark the anniversary, the city council organised a series of celebrations which, over time, became established as M\u00e1laga\u2019s main festival. This is where its other popular name comes from: the August Fair<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

That historical legacy remains evident in the programme through the Historical Horse Parade<\/strong>, a parade featuring period costumes that re-enacts the entry of the Catholic Monarchs into the city and winds its way through the city centre to the Cathedral.<\/p>\n

During the 20th century, the fair grew to the point where it spilled over into the city centre. The night-time section, with its marquees and fairground rides, eventually moved to its own site on the outskirts \u2013 the Real del Cortijo de Torres \u2013 whilst the historic centre retained its daytime atmosphere. This separation between the daytime and night-time parts of the fair, which today defines the festival, is the result of this evolution and the need to accommodate hundreds of thousands of visitors.<\/p>\n\n

When does the fair start and when is the opening speech?<\/h2>\n

The fair begins on the first Saturday, which in 2026 is the 15 August<\/strong>. The event marking the official start is the opening speech, which takes place that very evening and is followed by the lighting of the main entrance and the fairground.<\/p>\n\n

The opening speech and the switching on of the Christmas lights<\/h3>\n

Since 2022, the opening speech has been held on the first Saturday of the fair at the Royal Farmhouse of Torres<\/strong>, on a stage set up in front of the main entrance, on Avenida de Las Malague\u00f1as, a few minutes before the lights were switched on.<\/p>\n

The town crier of the Juan Francisco Funes is the 2026 M\u00e1laga Fair<\/strong>, the M\u00e1laga CF manager, who will deliver the opening address on the evening of Saturday 15 August. He thus joins a list of previous speakers that includes Antonio Banderas, Pablo Albor\u00e1n, Mar\u00eda Teresa Campos, Chiquito de la Calzada, Dani Rovira, Estrella Morente and El Kanka.<\/p>\n

That same Saturday also sees the pilgrimage with the standard-bearer<\/strong>, which starts at the Town Hall and ends at the Santuario de la Victoria, where the town\u2019s flag remains hoisted throughout the week of the fair. The 2026 flag-bearer is the actress Mar\u00eda Barranco<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

From that very first night, the festivities are in full swing: throughout the week, the daytime fair in the town centre and the night-time fair at the Real run side by side, each with its own opening hours and atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n

What to see and do at the M\u00e1laga Fair<\/h2>\n

The fair is enjoyed in very different ways depending on the time of day. In the morning and until mid-afternoon, the action is in the city centre; as night falls, the focus shifts to the fairground. If you\u2019re planning to spend the whole day in the city, combine the fair with a tour of the monuments: here\u2019s a handy guide to what to see in Malaga in one day<\/a> to make the most of the time when you\u2019re not in the thick of the party.<\/p>\n\n

The daytime market in the historic centre<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Calle
Larios Street, decked out for the daytime fair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The daytime festivities take place in the historic centre, particularly in the Marqu\u00e9s de Larios Street<\/strong>, the Plaza de la Constituci\u00f3n and the surrounding streets. There are live music every day from 12:00<\/strong> in the Plaza de la Constituci\u00f3n, Plaza del Obispo, Plaza de las Flores and Plaza de San Pedro de Alc\u00e1ntara, until 6.00 pm, at which point the street music stops and the festivities continue inside licensed venues.<\/p>\n

The atmosphere is daytime and open-air: groups playing verdiales, people dressed in flamenco attire, the gateway at the start of Calle Larios, and lanterns and flowers lining the route. It\u2019s the most accessible and family-friendly side of the fair, ideal for a leisurely stroll.<\/p>\n

For the little ones, the Plaza de la Merced<\/strong> It features a play area, theatre workshops and puppet shows, running from 12.00 to 15.30 from Sunday onwards. It\u2019s also the perfect time to take a break and have lunch in the area: if you\u2019re new to the city, our selection of where to eat in Malaga<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

The night-time fair at the Real del Cortijo de Torres<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Illuminated
The Real del Cortijo de Torres, with its stalls and illuminated entrance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As night falls, the party moves to the Cortijo de Torres Exhibition Centre<\/strong>, on the outskirts. This is where you\u2019ll find the marquees, the concert stages, the illuminated entrance arch and the fairground, which stays open well into the early hours. The festivities take place across the Auditorium, the Explanada de la Juventud and the marquees.<\/p>\n

In the There are free live performances in the auditorium every night from 10.30 pm<\/strong>, and the Municipal Children\u2019s Marquee is organising activities for children from 9.30 pm. The fairground area is set slightly apart from the marquees, designed with families in mind.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth bearing in mind that the Real is some way from the city centre, so you\u2019ll need to plan your journey accordingly, especially for the return journey in the early hours.<\/p>\n\n

M\u00e1laga Fair Programme<\/h2>\n

The official programme is published each year by the Town Council and via municipal channels a few weeks before the festival begins, featuring the concerts, timetables and a map of the venue. You can view it at the official website of the M\u00e1laga Fair<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The structure is the same in every issue, giving you an idea of what to expect. The programme usually includes:<\/p>\n