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, 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 and 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 hosts live music of various styles. There are also ‘pandas’ (singing and dancing troupes), dressed in typically Andalusian attire, playing traditional music such as verdiales, sevillanas and flamenco.
The nighttime fair on the fairground
This more family-orientated part of the fair finishes at 6pm at which point everyone moves to the fairground on the outskirts of the city, whether by bus from the Alameda (expect massive queues) or on the Cercanías trains (nearest stop Victoria Kent).
The atmosphere changes a lot because there are more young people, attracted by the fairground rides and the cheap alcohol. Alongside the rides, there are around 200 ‘casetas’ (bars run by various different businesses and associations), offering a multitude of entertainment, including nightclubs.
It is a strange mix but every night, without fail, the people get drunk until sunrise, before coming back the next night.
The highlight of the Malaga social calendar
Malaga Fair is not for the faint of heart, but it forms an integral part of the calendar and the cultural offering of the city.
If you live in the city centre and you’re not a fan of large-scale gatherings (and litter!), it’s best to book your holidays away well in advance!
But if you are, make the most of the national holiday on 15 August and the local holiday on 19 August and party away!
2024 Feria de Málaga
In 2024, this week of fun will take place from 17 to 24 August.
The festivities kick off at midnight on Friday 16 August, with the traditional light and pyromusical show on the city’s beaches.
On Saturday 17 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 24 August.
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.