What's on in Malaga
Malaga is such a vibrant city. No matter what time of year you come, there’s always something happening!
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Halloween in Malaga
Though not an occasion historically celebrated in Spain, as each year goes by, Halloween manages to get more and more people into the spooky spirit. Every year now, the streets of Malaga are especially busy with families and those who are young at heart donning extravagant costumes. As ever, the people of Malaga love to celebrate with good humour, dressing up either in slasher-movie-style gore or in a satirical interpretation of current events (much like during Carnival). Halloween parties in […]
November 1st: Día de Todos los Santos, Spain’s Day of the Dead
Across much of the Latin world, November 1st is a massive occasion. In Spain, Día de Todos los Santos (or All Saints’ Day in English) directly follows Halloween and is a public holiday across the country. It’s a day when families and individuals remember those who have died – and the occasion is marked in many different ways. Celebrating Día de Todos los Santos in Malaga Typically, Día de Todos los Santos in Malaga is marked by cemeteries filling up […]
Cine Abierto
With the summer heat suffocating at times, getting outdoors once the sun has set could well be the perfect remedy. That’s why, as part of the Festival de Málaga, the city hall every summer launches the Cine Abierto series of open-air screenings in various locations. The showings cater for wide audiences, especially families, and are free to view though some venues are subject to capacity controls. All films are shown in Spanish, with subtitles. Open-air cinema in every neighbourhood Cine […]
Virgen del Carmen
In Malaga, we’re used to seeing processions of all kinds. However, on 16 July every year, a procession of unique characteristics takes place as local fishing communities honour the Virgen del Carmen. Malaga’s most emblematic fishing neighbourhoods, such as El Palo, Huelin and Pedregalejo, become the focal point for this unique festivity. The celebration combines a procession of an exquisite figurine, crafted from wood and porcelain, of the Virgen del Carmen (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) through the streets, followed […]
Noche de San Juan: fireworks, bonfires and a midnight dip in the sea
On the night of 23 June every year, the Malaga coast is lit up, both literally and metaphorically, as thousands of people head to the beaches to enjoy the Noche de San Juan (Saint John’s Eve). This festival, which marks the beginning of the summer, is full of pagan rituals centred around fire and, of course, water. As part of the festivities, you have to jump three times over one of the blazing bonfires which are seen for miles along the […]
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. This week-long party, which happens in the middle of August, 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, chances are it will be closed. The daytime fair in the city centre Throughout the week, the fair becomes divided between […]
Semana Santa: Easter in Malaga
Semana Santa (Holy Week, or simply Easter Week in English) is not just a religious festival, it’s a deep-rooted tradition dating back centuries. This week-long event brings together whole communities and has in recent decades become a major tourist attraction, especially in the major cities in the south of Spain, such as Malaga and Seville. In Malaga during this week, the city is paralysed by religious fervour. So if you’re counting on getting around without problems, or expecting to have […]
Malaga Film Festival
Every March, Malaga city centre gets yet another glamorous makeover when the Festival de Málaga, Malaga’s much-loved film festival and 11-day celebration of Spanish-language cinema, commences its annual run. Over 200 films are shown at spectacular venues across the city – including Teatro Cervantes, Cine Albéniz and even the Picasso museum – with Calle Larios and Calle Alcazabilla serving as both a red carpet and an exhibition space. The star-studded opening night, historically attended by the biggest names in Spain’s film […]
February 28th: Día de Andalucía, a celebration of regional identity
Every year, Día de Andalucía (Andalucía Day) is celebrated on February 28th. The day marks the anniversary of the 1980 referendum in which the people voted for the region of Andalucía to become an Autonomous Community of Spain. It’s marked by a number of official events and distinctions, including the naming of Hijos Predilectos (Favourite Children) and awarding Medallas de Andalucía (Medals of Andalucía), for local-born personalities and community organisations. Seville, the focal point As to be expected, much of […]
La Noche en Blanco de Málaga
Over 200 different events, including free access to museums, art galleries, concerts and theatres are scheduled every year for the annual ‘Noche en Blanco’ (White Night). There is always a special ambience around the city as many cultural institutions, normally shut in the evenings, open up their doors to the public and have large queues of people waiting outside. For fans of live music, many open-air concerts take place in various spots, including in Plaza de la Constitución, in Plaza […]
Malaga Carnival, the first big party of the year
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 changes every year. In this case, it falls on the week before […]
Día de Reyes: The day the Three Kings come bearing Christmas presents in Spain
The Christmas festivities in Spain don’t officially come to a close until January 6th when Los Reyes Magos (the Three Kings or Wise Men) come from the East bearing gifts. It’s a national holiday in Spain (yes, another!) and is definitely the most popular among children as this is when they receive their holiday gifts. Although many families will also now give gifts on Christmas Day, Día de Reyes is when the biggest, most-anticipated presents arrive. Cabalgata de Reyes Across […]