A year of the best events in Malaga
Malaga punches well above its weight when it comes to events. For a city of 600,000 people it has a calendar that would embarrass much larger places – a world-class film festival, one of the most dramatic Holy Weeks in Spain, a fair that takes over the entire city for eight days, and a Christmas light display that people travel specifically to see. And that’s before you get to the smaller, quieter things that make the city worth visiting in any month of the year.
This is our month-by-month guide to the best of it. Grab your diary.
If you’re trying to choose between months, May is our pick; the Patio Festival and the Noche en Blanco fall within two weeks of each other, the weather is warm without being punishing, and the city hasn’t yet filled up with summer crowds. But as you’ll discover as you read on, there’s something for everyone, every month!
Jump to a month
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Best events in Malaga in January
The biggest event at the start of the year takes place in the afternoon and early evening of 5 January. The Three Kings Parade is one of the most magical nights of the year and well worth catching if you’re on holiday in Malaga at the time. Read about it here.
Mainly takes place in: Paseo del Parque and the old quarter.
Why this one? If you can only be in Malaga for one evening in the whole year, make it this one; the streets are packed, the atmosphere is electric and the children’s faces alone are worth the trip.
Malaga also celebrates its Theatre Festival in January. Performances are mostly in Spanish, but occasionally foreign theatrical and dance companies visit the city and take part in the festival.
Why this one? It’s worth checking the programme before you visit – we’ve seen some extraordinary performances over the years and the Cervantes Theatre is a lovely venue.
Best events in Malaga in February
February is carnival time when the city lives a week of dressing-up and fun. The dates to save for 2027 are yet to be confirmed, but expect them to be the first week of February. Read all about it here.
Mainly takes place in: Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución.
Why this one? The costumes are extraordinary, the atmosphere is chaotic in the best possible way, and it’s completely free, making it one of the most underrated events on the Spanish calendar.
Best events in Malaga in March
March in 2027 is unusually busy because Easter arrives early this year, meaning the Film Festival shifts back to the end of February.
Look out for Malaga Film Festival in its 30th edition from Friday 26 February to Sunday 7 March 2027. Read our dedicated guide.
Mainly takes place in: the Cervantes Theatre and Cine Alberniz on Calle Alcazabilla.
Why this one? The red carpet on Calle Larios is a genuine spectacle and there are real opportunities for star spotting.
And Easter, a week-long of solemn processions run through the city centre in one of the biggest occasions of the year. In 2026, Holy Week is from Sunday 21 to Sunday 28 March.
Mainly takes place in: the old quarter. All processions go down the Alameda Principal and up Calle Larios.
Why this one? Nothing prepares you for the scale of it. The processions run well into the small hours, the music haunts the whole old town, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else in the city’s calendar. Solemn, spectacular and a must-see.
Best events in Malaga in April
Easter, one of the most important events in Malaga, often takes place in April but in 2027, it’s early and in March (see above).
Best hotels to see Easter processions in Malaga
Atarazanas Boutique Hotel
Handily placed in the centre of town, Atarazanas Boutique Hotel offers a good accommodation option in Malaga. Its rooms are good value and …
Soho Boutique La Equitativa
Newly opened in 2021 and in one of the most emblematic buildings in the city centre, the 4-star Soho Boutique La Equitativa hotel does view …
Best events in Malaga in May
May comes with two rather different events, both worth seeking out and both free.
Malaga Patios
If you like something a little different, add the Malaga Patio Festival to your must-see list. This year’s festival takes place from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 May.
Mainly takes place in: La Trinidad and El Perchel Norte districts, both west of the river and about 10 minutes’ walk from the Alameda Principal.
Why this one? A truly local tradition, where you get to discover the city’s traditions and explore some lovely patios. Authentic, not polished or designed for tourists.
Cultural evening
Look out for the Noche en Blanco, a celebration of culture in Malaga when all monuments and museums open until the small hours. Numerous performances take place all over the old quarter.
The date in 2026 is Saturday 16 May from 8pm to 1am. Read our guide, complete with our top picks for 2026.
Why this one? The best free night on the city’s calendar, with something for everyone, a family-friendly atmospher and lots of amazing culture.
Best events in Malaga in June
The main event in June is the Night of San Juan, celebrating the summer solstice. In 2026, it falls on a Tuesday (23 June). Read more here.
Mainly takes place in: Malaga beaches, with two key events: the burning of a giant installation (known as the júa) at midnight, followed by a firework display at the western end of La Misericordia beach.
Why this one? It’s a local event, in a great location (who doesn’t love an evening on the beach?) and the firework display is top-notch.
Best events in Malaga in July
The Virgen del Carmen (Our Lady of the Seas) is the main celebration this month, taking place on and around 16 July, with parades of fishing boats along the coast in the city.
Mainly takes place in: on the beaches in El Palo, Pedregalejo and Huelin, and Malaga Port.
Why this one? The Virgen del Carmen is the patron saint of fishermen and sailors, making this a heartfelt celebration, with real local feeling and passion. One of the best Spanish traditions of the year.
July also comes packed with great things to do. Free open-air cinema is one of them, with showings around the city (on the beach, in parks and patios), along with summer concerts in the Gibralfaro Castle and Malaga Tango Festival. Our July what’s on has all the details.
Best events in Malaga in August
August means feria time when the city celebrates for 8 days in a row. The dates for Malaga Fair in 2026 are Saturday 15 August to Saturday 22 August.
Mainly takes place in: Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución by day and at the fairground by night.
Why this one? Eight days of the city at its most alive. Dancing and singing on Calle Larios by day, most dancing and singing and the fairground by night, and the kind of collective energy that makes you understand why Malagueños talk about the fair all year. Book your hotel early. Very early.
Best events in Malaga in September
The last of the summer sees Malaga Fashion Week that includes Europe’s longest catwalk – the blue carpet stretches the entire length of Calle Larios. It takes place on a Friday and Saturday in September; in 2026, the confirmed dates are Friday 24 and Saturday 25 September at 8pm.
Mainly takes place in: Calle Larios.
Why this one? The blue carpet stretching the full length of Calle Larios is a sight in itself even if fashion isn’t really your thing.
Best events in Malaga in October
October celebrates Picasso’s birthday with a range of cultural events in the city. The great artist would have been 145! The main celebrations take place at the Casa Natal Picasso on Plaza de la Merced, where Picasso was born, and there’s always free entry to the Picasso Museum.
Why this one? It’s worth discovering how Malaga honours its most famous son and the world’s most famous artist. Don’t miss the display on the façade of his birth place – always a lovely piece of art.
And then, of course, there’s Halloween. Expect lots of fancy dress, kid-friendly events on Muelle Uno and in the Soho district, and seriously creepy events at the Botanics.
Best events in Malaga in November
One of the biggest musical events in Malaga takes place. Malaga Jazz Festival celebrates its 40th edition in 2026 with big-name artists and bands from the world of jazz. The dates are to be confirmed for November 2026.
Why this one? Four decades later and still pulling serious names. This is a proper international jazz festival, not a local one dressed up, and there’s a series of free concerts in parks around the city as well.
Best events in Malaga in December
The prettiest event in Malaga definitely with thousands of lights twinkling throughout the city. Calle Larios has a sound and light display along its entire length and most of the city centre has lights and decorations.
Christmas also means lots of markets – the Sabor a Málaga foodie markets is at the beginning of December, while arts and crafts markets run until 5 January. And there are dozens of nativity scenes around the city, miniature reproductions of the Christmas story, carefully crafted.
Official switch-on date for Malaga Christmas lights in 2026 is probably Friday 27 November. The Christmas light display stays on until midnight on 6 January.
Why this one? The Calle Larios light display is one of the best in Spain and the sound and light show that runs along its length every evening draws crowds even on weekdays. If you’ve only ever seen Malaga in summer, December will surprise you.
Best hotel to see the Christmas lights
Vincci Larios Diez
Calle Larios is famed as one of the most elegant shopping streets in Spain and Vincci Larios Diez Hotel occupies one of the loveliest buildings on the street. The 1821 townhouse once housed the Almacenes Gómez Raggio store, one of the top shopping spots in its day, and is now home to one of Malaga’s newest hotels. …
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