What’s on in Malaga in July 2026

Events in Malaga in July include their usual full programme, with plenty of cool things to do, including plenty of free activities. In the latest of our what’s on in Malaga monthly round-ups, you’ll discover lots of music, open-air cinema and of course, some really great art. Read to find out more about events in Malaga this month.

Note that this post is (as always) a work in progress because many events are announced last minute. Bookmark the page for reference and check back regularly for new additions.

Be inspired by July in Malaga with our 10 suggestions of what to do and see.

Cinema in July

If you love a good film or a classic movie, there are several options this month in Malaga.

Picasso Museum

The lovely patio hosts two films this month, themed around the Joana Vasconcellos temporary exhibition:

• Friday 3 July – Million Dollar Mermaid (Mervyn LeRoy, 1952 – in English with Spanish subtitles)
• Friday 10 July – Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios (Pedro Almódovar, 1988 – in Spanish with Spanish subtitles (and our fav Almodóvar film!))

Tickets cost €10 and include a visit to the exhibition beforehand the film starts (10pm) and a drink from the café. More information and link to buy tickets here.

The classics

The Albeniz Cinema (Calle Alcazabilla) is screening a classic movie every Thursday in July at 9pm. The following films are on this month – to be confirmed:

• Thursday 9 July: 
• Thursday 16 July: 
• Thursday 23 July: 
• Thursday 30 July: 

The films are shown in English with Spanish sub-titles and entrance costs €6.

Open-air cinema

The annual outdoor film fest is back, with films at different locations in the city, including beaches and parks. The vast majority are dubbed in Spanish with no sub-titles, but we think there’s something rather special about watching a film on a big screen underneath the stars. And it’s free!

The 2026 season runs from 2 July to 13 August, and includes these highlights:

• The English Cemetery shows Bird (Andrea Arnold, 2024, in English with Spanish subtitles) on 9 July at 10pm.
• The San Miguel Cemetery shows Ghostlight (Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, 2024, in English with Spanish subtitles) on 30 July at 10pm.
• The Ocón Auditorium (in the Paseo del Parque) shows the series, Signature Cinema, with films in their original version and Spanish subtitles, all at 10.15pm: Anora (Sean Baker, 2024, in English with Spanish subtitles) on 20 July; Emilia Pérez (Jacques Audiard, 2024, in Spanish with parts in English).
• The Albeniz Cinema has children’s films on almost every day at 11am.
• The gardens at La Tabacalera (home to the Russian Museum and Car Museum) shows recent Spanish blockbusters.

Throughout July at 10.15pm most evenings. Full details of what’s showing where and when (in Spanish only) here.

Classics on Muelle Uno

The main square in Muelle Uno offer free outdoor cinema screenings, with classic romance as the theme. Screenings are at 10pm in their original version (English) with Spanish subtitles.

• Wednesday 1 July – Ghost
• Wednesday 8 July – The Princess Bride
• Wednesday 15 July – Grease

Reclining seats are available (get there early to be sure of yours) and there’s also space for your own seats.

Phantom of the Opera

This iconic musical arrives in Malaga at the Cervantes Theatre from 3 July to 9 August. The words are in Spanish, but we reckon you already know the story and all those classic tunes.

Performances take place Wednesday to Sunday, and tickets start at €22. More information and link to buy here.

Tango Festival

This year’s edition is on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July at 8.30pm in the Echegaray Theatre. You can see Mirando al Sur on the Saturday and Proyecto Tangú on the Sunday. Both performances feature song, live and dance. Tickets cost €20 – more information and link to book here.

Need a hotel in Malaga in July?

Check out our recommendations for the best hotels in town, from budget to splurge with almost everything in between. And if you don’t know where to stay or need information on the pros and cons of each area, read our definitive guide to where to stay in Malaga.

Musical events in Malaga in July

As usual, there’s a great round-up of things musical this month in the city, with something for everyone!

Music in the Carmen Thyssen Museum

Outdoor spaces really come into their own in July in Malaga and the Carmen Thyssen Museum has a series of concerts throughout the month at 9.30pm. The patio is small so book well ahead to be sure of a seat. Dates to be confirmed

Tickets and are available online or at the museum ticket office during opening hours.

Book a flamenco show with dinner in Malaga.

Country Divas

Don your cowboy hats and rodeo boots as you join the Country Divas singing the best of Dolly Parton and Shania Twain at St George’s Church in the grounds of the English Cemetery, Avd de Pries 1, on Saturday 18 July at 8pm.  Bring your own picnic.  Tickets €25.  More information and link to buy tickets here.

Musical July

Concerts under the moonlight and against the backdrop of the Moorish castle walls are always a highlight in July. And once again, the Alcazaba Castle and Gibalfaro Fortress provide the stage for some lovely evening concerts.

This year’s event takes place from 8 to 19 July. All concerts start at 10pm. As usual, there’s an eclectic mix of musical genres, based on the theme of Palace Legends.

Tickets, on sale from 30 June, cost from €15. More information and how to book online here.

As usual, there’s a free bus service to the Gibralfaro concerts from Paseo de Reding (on the corner with Calle Cervantes) and back down afterwards at the end of the concert. The shuttle bus runs up  from 8 to 9.30pm and down when the concerts end. 

Entrance to concerts in the Alcazaba will be via the tunnel in Calle Guillén Sotelo.

Free concerts in Malaga in July

As usual, there’s a good round-up of freebies this month. They include the following:

Festival Malagueña de Fiesta

This free event showcases Malaga’s typical music and dance type, malagueñas. You can watch and listen to local groups dancing, singing and playing the best-known malagueñas on Saturday 4 July from 9.30pm on Plaza de la Constitución. To be confirmed.

The video below shows a group dancing malagueñas at Malaga Fair.

Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Ocón auditorium

This summer festival showcases young local talent, with all genres of music and dance. See these on stage in the Paseo del Parque at 8.30pm. Programme to be confirmed.

• Thursday 2 July –
• Tuesday 7 July –
• Thursday 9 July –
• Tuesday 21 July –
• Thursday 23 July –
• Tuesday 28 July –
• Thursday 30 July –

Museum of Malaga

July’s concert is on Sunday 5 July at noon, with the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra’s Brass Quintet. The programme includes works by Bernstein, Gershwin and Roblee.

Free entry, but get there early to be sure of a seat. We’d recommend 11am.

Malaga Municipal Band

The band has two free concerts this month. Both are to be confirmed.

Sunday 12 July in the English Cemetery

The concert starts at 9pm and the programme includes works to be confirmed plus the usual pasodoble.

Sunday 26 July in the Gibralfaro

As is traditional, the band’s last concert of the season takes place in the Patio de Armas in the Gibralfaro Fortress. The performance is to be confirmed, and starts at 9pm.

Free buses will run up the hill to this concert 7 to 8.30pm from the Plaza del General Torrijos outside the Hospital Noble (Google map link here). There will also be free buses back down again after the concert has finished.

Free concerts on Muelle Uno

There are two this month, both on the square next to the pharmacy and at 8pm:

• Friday 3 July – MAPA, a local folk music group
• Friday 31 July – Kadriana Massri, pop-electronica singer-songwriter

Andalucia Play Fest

This event celebrates Malaga’s connection with videogames and takes place over three days – 3 to 5 July at FYCMA. Play Fest is for professionals and the general public, with each day taking a different theme – Iris Games Prizes (Spain’s national videogame awards), Guadalindie (indie gaming) and Retropixel (classic gaming). More details and link to sign up to the event here.

Get to FYCMA on the 4, 11 or 20 bus from the Alameda Principal. Allow around 30 minutes for your journey, including a short walk at the end.

Free swing classes

One of Malaga’s swing dance groups, Swing Out Studio, is offering free dance session on Muelle Uno on Sunday 26 July at 8.30pm. Pop on your dancing shoes and head over for a fun Lindy Hop session, with live music, on the square next to the pharmacy.

Unusual visits to the Botanics

The lovely Botanical gardens have the following activities this month:

To book a place on any of the activities, call 951 92 61 80 or 639 91 40 55 or send an email to infojbotanicomalaga@gmail.com

Dramatised visits

Discover the botanical gardens by night, its characters and history on a dramatised tour taking place on Saturday 11 and Thursday 16 July at 9pm. The cost per person is €17.

For adults – the gardens and palace by night

Discover the botanical gardens by night and the interior of the lovely mansion (rooms, library and chapel) on the 90-minute visits taking place on Friday 3 and Friday 31 July at 9pm. The cost per person is €8.40.

Wine and food tasting in Malaga in July

If you like pairing fabulous wine with delicious food, how about signing up for one of these in July?

Wine tasting at Araboka Plaza

This restaurant near El Corte Inglés department store has wine tastings in July, with five wines and four paired dishes plus dessert. And excellent value for €50 per person. These tastings are in Spanish, but maître d’ Antonio speaks good English and is more than happy to translate for you.

Dates to be confirmed

Book your spot at the table by calling or WhatsApping +34 666 330 336

Wine tours with Linda

Or you can join Linda from Winderlust for a bespoke wine tour in Malaga, stopping at four stops for fine vino, delicious food and fun stories. The two-hour tour usually starts at noon in central Malaga and costs from €100 per person. Enquire here and get your free guide to ordering wine in Malaga.

Can’t come to Malaga in July and missing the food?

Why not create great Malaga food in your own kitchen? Our latest ebook, Malaga Fine Wining & Dining, includes 11 exclusive recipes served in Malaga’s best restaurants, 2 with Michelin stars. Easy to create and make plus a chef’s top tip for each one and a Malaga wine pairing suggestion. Our cookbook has received the thumbs-up from some real foodies too – see their reviews here. All for just €8.95 but add the discount code JULY and get 25% off.

Virgen del Carmen processions

She’s the patron of fishermen and several neighbourhoods in Malaga celebrate the Virgen del Carmen’s saints day on 16 July with processions through the streets and in boats along the shore.

The main focal point of the processions is the float with a statue of Our Lady of the Seas on it, usually elaborately decorated with flowers. Fishermen and their families accompany the parade, often dressed in traditional marengo outfits, black trousers, white shirts and red cumberband. 

Routes and times to be confirmed for 2026

Thursday 16 July

Virgen del Carmen in El Palo – the procession leaves El Palo Church (Plaza de la Parroquia) at 5pm on 16 July and makes its way down to the beaches. The route is as follows:  Avenida Juan Sebastián Elcano, Calle Arquitecto Eduardo Esteve, Avenida Salvador Allende, Carril de la Milagrosa, Calle Quitapenas and Calle Banda del Mar. Once the procession reaches the sea, decorated boats join in.

Virgen del Carmen in Pedregalejo – this one leaves Corpus Cristi church at 6pm on 16 July and goes down to the Arroyo de los Pilones where the statue of the Virgin is carried in boats before returning. 

Saturday 18 July

Virgen del Carmen Coronada – the procession leaves Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church (in El Perchel) at 8am on Saturday 18 July and goes through the city centre (Puente del Carmen, Alameda del Colón, Duquesa de Parcent, Martínez Campos, Casas de Campo) before reaching Malaga Port where the statue goes on board one of the waiting ships to parade at sea.

It returns to the port at noon and begins its journey to the Cathedral where there’s a mass. The route is Plaza de la Marina, Calle Molina Lario, Calle Santa María, Calle Císter and Patio de los Naranjos where it enter the Cathedral at 12.50pm.

The return procession leaves the Cathedral at 7.30pm and takes the following route: Calle Císter, Calle San Agustín, Calle Echegaray, Calle Granada, Plaza de la Constitución, Calle Larios, Calle Nueva, Plaza de Félix Sáenz, Calle Sebastián Souvirón, Calle Atarazanas, Alameda Principal, Calle Tomás Heredia, Calle Vendeja, Puente de la Misericordia, Calle Cuarteles, Calle Ancha del Carmen and back to its church at 0.30am.

Sunday 19 July

The final procession of Our Lady of the Seas in central Malaga takes place on Sunday 19 July in Huelin. The Virgen del Carmen leaves San Patricio Church (opposite Huelin Market) at 6pm on Sunday 20 July and parades down to the western seafront (by Rocamar chiringuito restaurant) where it moves onto boats. 

The return procession leaves the western seafront at around 9.30pm and goes along the seafront, Calle Tomás de Echevarría, Calle La Hoz, Calle Garcerán, Calle Las Navas and Calle La Princesa.

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What’s on in Malaga in July at the art museums

As usual, some of best events in Malaga in July include art. Read on for our round-up of art exhibitions this month.

Picasso Foundation

Picasso’s birthplace has an interesting temporary exhibition on this month: Neither Muses nor Models: Female Artists in the Casa Natal Picasso Collection. It includes works by local, Spanish and international artists such as Helen Frankenthaler, María Helena Vieira da Silva, Alice Baber and Elena Laverón. Until 13 September.

Open daily 9.30am to 8pm. €3 (€4 combined ticket to visit the house).

Pompidou Centre

The latest exhibition, To Open Eyes, looks at how artists view their surroundings and interact with those looking at their art. The six sections include a wide range of installations, paintings, sculptures and videos. And as usual, they all provide plenty of food for thought.

Read about the latest collection at the Pompidou Centre

Gesture & Matter – International Abstractions (1945-1965)

This must-see exhibition showcases the new artistic movement that emerged in Paris after the Second World War. It explored new ways of depicting art and techniques on canvas, and the exhibition brings together an impressive selection of artists and their paintings. Until 7 September.

Open Wednesday to Monday 9.30am to 8pm. €7 for the permanent exhibition, €9 for both. Free Sundays after 4pm. 

Buy tickets in advance for the Pompidou Centre.

Bishop’s Palace

This lovely space opposite the Cathedral – exhibition to be confirmed.

Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 2pm and 4 to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm. €3

Carmen Thyssen Museum

The museum continues to showcase Spanish art from the 18th and 19th centuries seen in the permanent collection.

The museum also has the following temporary exhibitions:

Archipielago

Taking Warburg’s Atlas Mnemosyne as its inspiration, this exhibition showcases the depiction of cartography in some of the most influential 20th-century artists. Signatures include Picasso, Miró, Warhol, Braque, Arp and Zush. See it until 6 September.

The works on display carry signatures of artists like Luis Gordillo, Chema Cobo and Miquel Barceló. Under 14 September.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm. Tickets cost €12. Free entry on Sundays after 4pm. Note that if you’re resident in Malaga province (you need to show proof), the entry fee is €8.

Roman remains

The extraordinary remains of a residential and commercial complex underneath the museum are now open. If you like a good dose of history and/or an insight into Malaga’s rich heritage, we highly recommend including a visit.

You can book your ticket in advance – €15 including the museum and remains (€10 if you’re resident in Malaga province) – or join one of the hourly visits when you’re there.

Read more about these unique Roman ruins

Free entry on Thursday evenings

This museum has free entry every Thursday evening in July (2, 9, 16, 23 and 30) between 8pm and 11pm. Guided tours at 8.15pm, 8.50pm j 9.30pm (sign up at reception). Jazz concerts in the patio from 10pm.

Stay bang up to date with Malaga – sign up for our free fortnightly newsletter. All you need to know about what’s on and what’s new in the city in your inbox every other Friday.

Jorge Rando Museum

As well as the permanent exhibitions, you can see one combining the work of Pablo Picasso and Jorge Rando. Their shared theme is bullfighting and you can see engravings by Picasso made between 1929 and 1960 and paintings by Rando from the 70s.

Open Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm and 4 to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm. Free entry. The museum is on Calle Cruz del Molinillo 12, on the northern edge of the old quarter. Don’t miss the Mercado de Salamanca market opposite.

We’ve included this art museum in our latest walking tour, North of Malaga old quarter.

Picasso Museum

Note on tickets

The Picasso Museum is the most-visited in southern Spain and an extremely popular attraction. As a result, sometimes no walk-in tickets are available, only those booked ahead online.
To avoid disappointment, we recommend buying your ticket in advance. You can do so via the museum’s website or through GetYourGuide (no difference in price for you, just a small commission to us through the affiliate program – gracias!).

The most-visited museum in southern Spain has a permanent collection, called Picasso: Structures of Invention. The exhibition shows the 20th century’s greatest artist’s creative process through 150 works. You can also see 22 works from his La Californie sketchbook, which he drew in Cannes in 1956.

You can also see:

Joana Vasconcelos Transfiguration

A new temporary exhibition showcases the work of this contemporary Portuguese artist from the early 90s to today. Vasconcelos’ sculptures and installations examine the relationship between Portuguese traditions and contemporary art, using tiles, textiles and ceramics. The result is an extraordinary collection, guaranteed not to leave you indifferent! Don’t miss the giant shoe in the patio.

Open daily 11am to 8pm. Tickets €12, free Sundays after 6pm. While you’re there, do visit the Picasso Museum café with its lovely patio.

Buy tickets in advance for the Picasso Museum.

Russian Museum

The Russian Museum and MEET (Malaga Espacio Expositivo Tabacalera) has several exhibitions, many of which comes from private collections of art and some have a Russian theme.

Time for Looking (1970-2000)

One of Spain’s most prominent photojournalists, Marisa Flórez, has a retrospective of her award-winning photography. The large photos, mostly black and white, and portraits, illustrate Spanish history, politics, daily life and celebrities from the last 30 years of the 20th century.

Art from the Spanish Golden Age

Some 80 works from Alejandro Sanz Peinado’s private collection are on display. They showcase 16th and 17th masterpieces, with the emphasis on Dutch paintings and Italian works. Signatures on the canvases include Rubens, Tenier, van Dyck, Velázquez and Zubarán. Until 30 September.

Open Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 8pm. €8. Free on Sundays after 4pm.

La Térmica Cultural Centre

Murmuration

US artist Ryan Schneider has spent two months in residence at the centre and this exhibition is the result. Giant sculptures in wood, bronze, stone and gold make up the pieces, all inspired by the ecosystem in Ryan’s home in the Mojave Desert.

Until 13 September. Free entry. Open Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm and 4 to 8.30pm, weekends 10am to 2pm.

La Térmica is on the western seafront and you can get to it on foot (walk west from the Port and about 0.5km after the tall chimney, you’ll see a modern glass building on the right – La Térmica is behind it) or by bus on the No 7 from the Alameda Principal (south side; get off at the Santa Paula stop and walk down to the seafront).

Looking for somewhere good to eat out?

Malaga has dozens of good restaurants and we’ve selected the best. You’ll find them divided into handy categories, allowing you to easily select what you’re looking for.

Or if you like a detailed description of what a venue is really like, take a look at our Malaga Restaurant Reviews. We’re continually adding new ones, so check back regularly.

Markets in Malaga in July

Arts and crafts on the Port

The Sunday El Zoco market takes place on Sundays in July on Muelle Uno from noon to 8pm. There’s also a daily summer market, open 10am to 10pm.

Merced Market

Plaza de la Merced hosts an arts and crafts market on Sunday 5 July from 11am to 7pm. Visit the stalls and enjoy a stroll under the shady jacaranda trees.

Mercado Soho

Calle Tomás Heredia is the location for this arts and crafts market on Sunday 26 July from 11am to 7pm.

Organic Markets

The best summer fruit (think apricots, watermelon, peaches…) and vegetables are now in season and these markets sell them plus products, all grown and produced locally in the Guadalhorce River valley. Saturday 11 July on Calle Cervantes and Paseo de Reding (near La Malagueta) and Saturday 25 July in Huelin Park. 10am to 2pm.

Read more about markets in Malaga.

Sports events in Malaga in July

Premier Padel

Malaga hosts one of the competitions at the Martin Carpena Palacio de los Deportes Stadium from 11 to 19 July. The event will showcase some of the world’s best players, so a real treat for paddle tennis fans.

More information and links to book tickets here.

How to get to the Premier Padel competition

Get to the Palacio de los Deportes from the City Centre on:

The metro – take L1 at Atarazanas station on the Alameda Principal, swap platforms at the next stop, Guadalmedina, to get on L2 and get off at the last stop, Palacio de los Deportes. Allow around 15-20 minutes.

The No 7 bus from the south side of the Alameda Principal, get off at the last stop. Allow 30-40 minutes for the journey.

Where to stay during the padel events

If you want a good-value hotel within a short walk of the Palacio de los Deportes, take a look at the Hilton Garden Inn Malaga. For a seafront hotel, still within easy distance, check out the Hotel Catalonia Malaga.

If you’d rather stay in the city centre (getting to the matches is easy on public transport), take a look at our suggestions for the best hotels in Malaga.

Eating out in this area of Malaga

There are several good restaurants in the area close to the Palacio de los Deportes. We recommend booking a table in advance because all venues get very busy.

• La Canasta Carpena – bakery and café, serving light meals and snacks all day. Google map link.
• Trattoria Mama Franca – excellent Italian pasta and pizzas. Google map link.
• La Piká de los Compadres – tasty fresh fish and seafood at wallet-friendly prices. Google map link.
• Restaurante C&C – fine dining with good specials. Google map link.
• La Casita 33 – cheap and cheerful tapas and sharing plates, served all day. Google map link.
• Taberna Los Choqueros – typical dishes from Huelva at wallet-friendly prices. This restaurant is about 20 minutes walk from the stadium. Google map link.

Note – all the above are personal recommendations from the Guide to Malaga team, based in the area. We visit these venues often!

Heads-up for August

Malaga Fair takes places – stay tuned for all the details and all other events in August by signing up to our free newsletter.