The 2026 Málaga Fair is just around the corner. The city is preparing for another edition of its August celebrations, featuring nine days of activities, including the Historical Parade, fireworks, fairground attractions and free concerts. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, here's everything you need to know, including dates, key venues, the official programme, information about the casetas (fair tents) and the concert schedule.
History and origin of the Málaga Fair
The Málaga Fair originated as a commemoration of the city's incorporation into the Crown of Castile on 19 August 1487. Over the centuries, the celebration has evolved into one of Andalusia's most important festive events.
Religious tradition remains central to the festivities through the pilgrimage to the Santa María de la Victoria Basilica Sanctuary, patron saint of Málaga. Alongside this, visitors can enjoy verdiales music, flamenco, copla performances, horse and carriage parades, local food and traditional open-air casetas.
When is the Málaga Fair 2026?
The Málaga Fair takes place this year from Saturday 15 August to Saturday 22 August. However, celebrations begin on the afternoon of Friday 14 August with the Historical Parade, followed by a drone show at 11:50 pm and a music and fireworks display at midnight in the Port of Málaga area.
On Saturday 15 August, the Pilgrimage of the Virgin of Victory will take place in the morning. Later, at the fairgrounds, Juanfran Funes, the coach who guided Málaga back to Spain's First Division, will deliver the official opening speech at 9:30 pm ahead of the traditional switch-on of the fair lights.
Public holidays for the Málaga Fair
The Málaga municipal calendar designates Wednesday 19 August as a local public holiday, coinciding with the August Fair and the anniversary of the city's incorporation into the Crown of Castile. Many non-essential businesses and workplaces will close for the day.
Málaga Fair 2026 poster
The official poster for the 2026 Málaga Fair is titled "Flowers for Victory" and was designed by artist Patricia Castro Bohórquez. The artwork was selected through a public voting process organised by Málaga City Council's Festivals Department.
The winning design received 38% of nearly 7,000 valid votes. It references the Virgin of Victory, Málaga's patron saint, while incorporating some of the visual and festive symbols most closely associated with the city's August celebrations.
Where is the Malaga Fair 2026?
As every year, the Málaga Fair is split between two main locations with distinct atmospheres: the Historic Centre, where daytime celebrations take place, and the Cortijo de Torres Fairgrounds, which become the focus in the afternoon and evening.
- City Centre Fair: The historic centre is the hub of verdiales performances, music in the squares, folk music, flamenco, and family activities. Calle Larios, Plaza de la Constitución, Plaza de la Merced, Plaza de las Flores, and the Peña Juan Breva are some of the locations with events. The atmosphere is primarily during the day, with streets full of visitors, bars and cultural activities.
- Cortijo de Torres Fairgrounds: The fairgrounds house the casetas, the amusement park, the Municipal Auditorium, the Caseta de los Verdiales, the children's area, the Equestrian Exhibition Centre, and the Youth Plaza. It is the main meeting point at night, although there are also daytime activities, such as horse and carriage rides.
"Casetas" at the Málaga Fair
The 2026 Málaga Fair will feature more than 120 casetas spread across the streets of the Cortijo de Torres fairgrounds, including those run by social clubs, associations, organisations, restaurants and municipal entities.
One of the Málaga Fair's distinctive features is that entry to the casetas is free, meaning visitors do not need membership to enter. Notable municipal casetas include the Flamenco and Copla Pavilion, the Verdiales Pavilion, the Children's Pavilion and the San Miguel Municipal Pavilion.
Málaga Fair 2026 agenda
The Málaga Fair agenda includes traditional events, family shows, verdiales music, flamenco, equestrian activities, and entertainment spread between the Historic Centre and the Fairgrounds. The main events are listed below:
- Friday 14 August
- 8 pm | Plaza de la Merced and Historic Centre: Historical Cavalcade of Málaga. The procession will depart from Plaza de la Merced and will symbolically hand over the keys to the city in Plaza de la Aduana at 8:30 pm.
- 11:50 pm | Port of Málaga: Drone show.
- Midnight | Access to the cruise terminal: Fireworks and music show.
- Saturday 15 August
- 10 am | Park Walk: Gathering of carriages, horses and pilgrims for the pilgrimage.
- 11 am | Historic Centre and La Victoria Sanctuary: The pilgrimage sets off to the Santa María de la Victoria Basilica.
- Midday to 5 pm | Calle Larios: Verdiales festival and performances of popular Málaga folklore.
- 4 pm and 10 pm | Equestrian Exhibition Centre: "Málaga dreams on horseback" show.
- 9:30 p.m. | Avenida de las Malagueñas: Opening speech by coach Juanfran Funes.
- 10 pm | Fairgrounds: Official switch-on of artistic lighting.
- Sunday 16 August
- Midday to 3:30 pm | Plaza de la Merced: "Feria Mágica" - "From the Earth to the Moon" children's entertainment, with games, workshops, theatre, puppets and magic.
- Midday to 5 pm | Calle Larios: Verdiales and popular folklore from Málaga.
- Midday to 8 pm | Real de Cortijo de Torres: carriage and horse parade.
- 4 pm and 10 pm | Equestrian Exhibition Centre: "Fishing boats and horses" show.
- 7 pm | La Malagueta Bullring: bullfight on horseback.
- Monday 17 August
- Midday to 3:30 pm | Plaza de la Merced: "Feria Mágica" - Family entertainment.
- Midday to 5 pm | Calle Larios: Verdiales and performances by choirs and dance academies.
- Midday to 8 pm | Faiground: Horse and carriage parade.
- 4 pm and 10 pm | Equestrian Exhibition Centre: "The equestrian rhythm of Málaga" show.
- 7 pm | La Malagueta Bullring: Bullfight in honour of Málaga CF.
- 10 pm | Avenida de las Malagueñas: Election of the Fair's Queen and King.
- Tuesday 18 August
- Midday to 3:30 pm | Plaza de la Merced: "Feria Mágica".
- Midday to 5 pm | Calle Larios: Verdiales and folklore.
- Midday to 8 pm | Royal: Horse and carriage parade.
- 3:30 pm | Side-Saddle Parade: Andalusian Association of Side-Saddle Riding.
- 4 pm | Equestrian Exhibition Centre: XXIII Juan Alda Memorial Equestrian Clothing and Harness Competition.
- 7 pm | La Malagueta Bullring: Youth Bullfight.
- 10 pm | Equestrian Exhibition Centre: "Málaga cradle of the horse" show.
- Wednesday 19 August
- Midday to 3:30 pm | Plaza de la Merced: "Feria Mágica", family entertainment.
- Midday to 5 pm | Calle Larios: Verdiales, choirs and popular dance.
- Midday to 8 pm | Royal: Horse and carriage parade.
- 4 pm and 10 pm | Equestrian Exhibition Centre: "Aires de gallope por la serranía" show.
- 7 pm | La Malagueta Bullring: Bullfight.
- Thursday 20 August
- Midday to 3:30 pm | Plaza de la Merced: "Feria Mágica" family entertainment.
- Midday to 5 pm | Calle Larios: Verdiales and popular folklore shows.
- Midday to 8 pm | Royal: Horse and carriage parade.
- 4 pm and 10 pm | Equestrian Exhibition Centre: "Málaga's passion for the horse" show.
- 7 pm | La Malagueta Bullring: Bullfight.
- Friday 21 August
- Midday to 3:30 pm | Plaza de la Merced: "Feria Mágica" family entertainment.
- Midday to 5 pm | Calle Larios: Verdiales, choirs and dance academies.
- Midday to 8 pm | Fairgrounds: Horse and carriage parade.
- 4 pm and 10 pm | Equestrian Exhibition Centre: "Horse, bull and Málaga tradition" show.
- 7 pm | La Malagueta Bullring: Bullfight.
- 9:30 pm | Children's Municipal Caseta: "Operación Chicle" by La Carpa Teatro.
- Saturday 22 August
- Midday to 3:30 pm | Plaza de la Merced: Last day of "Feria Mágica" family entertainment.
- Midday to 5 pm | Calle Larios: Verdiales, choirs and folklore activities.
- Midday to 8 pm | Royal: Horse and carriage parade.
- 4 pm and 10 pm | Equestrian Exhibition Centre: "Málaga dreams on horseback" show.
- 7 pm | La Malagueta Bullring: Bullfight for the 150th anniversary of the arena.
- 9:30 pm | Municipal Children's Caseta: "The Journey of Tan Tan and Yiya", by Indigo Teatro.
- 10 pm | Caseta Verdiales: Panda Santa Catalina and Panda Los Moras.
- 11 pm | Caseta Municipal de Flamenco and Copla: performances by Rosa Linero, Lola García and Rocío Alba.
Málaga Fair concerts
The Cortijo de Torres Municipal Auditorium will once again host some of the most outstanding free concerts of the 2026 Málaga Fair. The lineup features local Málaga artists and national names in pop, flamenco, Andalusian rock and show music.
- Saturday 15 August
- 9:30 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Showcase of Málaga and Flamenco Dances.
- 10 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Encarni Navarro and Diana Navarro.
- Sunday 16 August
- 9:30 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Showcase of Málaga and Flamenco Dances.
- 10 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Ana Romma and David DeMaría.
- Tuesday 18 August
- 9:30 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Showcase of Málaga and Flamenco Dances.
- 10 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Tabletom and Medina Azahara.
- Wednesday 19 August
- 9:30 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Showcase of Málaga and Flamenco Dances.
- 10 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Hoffman and Nancys Rubias.
- Thursday 20 August
- 9:30 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Showcase of Málaga and Flamenco Dances.
- 10 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Tonia Rodríguez and Zenet.
- Friday 21 August
- 10:30 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Antonio Carmona.
Saturday 22 August
10:30 pm | Municipal Auditorium: Paloma San Basilio.
Living in Málaga
Málaga combines the activity of a provincial capital with the charm of a Mediterranean city. Its neighbourhoods, high-speed rail connections, international airport, cultural attractions and proximity to the coast have made it one of southern Spain's leading residential and economic centres.
The Fair reflects many elements of the city's identity, including its strong popular traditions, vibrant street life, gastronomy and the close interaction between residents and visitors.
