Guide to Malaga Fair 2026

Updated June 2026

One of the biggest events in Malaga takes place in August and for many locals and holidaymakers, August means feria time. For just over a week, Malaga fair welcomes thousands and parties from dawn till dawn.

Billed as southern Europe’s biggest summer party, Malaga fair provides 7 full days of music, dancing and fun. It’s a huge event that takes place over 2 venues where you can see free concerts, dancing, fireworks and ride the rides.

Read our guide to everything you need to know to enjoy (and survive) Malaga fair.

Why does Malaga Fair take place?

Malaga fair commemorates the city becoming part of Castille when the Catholic King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella conquered Malaga from the Moors on 19 August in 1487. The fair has been celebrated in some form or other since 1491. Nowadays, it’s one of the largest held in Spain during the summer and visited by thousands.

When is Malaga fair?

Malaga Fair runs for 7 days between 15 and 22 August in 2026.

Celebrations start with a massive firework display (see below) near the port at midnight on the Friday before the official start date (14 August in 2026). Then festivities continue on La Malagueta beach with a concert, usually featuring one of Spain’s best-known singers or groups. 

Malaga Fair Fireworks

This is the biggest firework display in the city during the year, with around 500 tonnes of gunpower exploding into the air. The show starts at midnight and lasts for 20 minutes, with some 6,308 fireworks and 11 songs.

Pre-firework drones

To be confirmed for 2026 two drone displays will take place at 10 minutes to midnight (11.50pm) on La Malagueta beach and Huelin beach (on the western seafront). 150 drones will fly in each space, with 14 tri-dimensional images.

Where does Malaga fair take place?

Malaga fair has two main centres:

Old quarter

The area around Calle Larios becomes the party centre during the day (from midday to 6pm). The streets are packed with revellers, many dressed in traditional Andalusian costume – look for the latest fashions in flamenco dresses – and there’s also a daily parade of horses and carriages.

During the fair there are free concerts in several squares in the old quarter such as Plaza de la Constitución, Plaza Uncibay, Plaza Mitjana, Plaza de las Flores and Plaza de San Pedro de Alcántara (off Calle Carreteria).

You can enjoy verdiales (traditional folk music and dance from the Montes de Malaga) every day during Malaga Fair on Calle Larios. Verdiales are colourful songs, with music from violins, tambourines and castanets, and dances wear traditional costume with multi-coloured ribbons.

Real de la Feria

The fairground in the west of city where partying goes on low-key during the day and at full intensity at night. The fairground is divided into the funfair and over 200 casetas areas, ‘huts’ with their own bar and music.

Facilities at the Real de la Feria

Toilets – located at the north and south ends of the Caseta area. Baby-changing areas and stoma-friendly toilets are also available.

First aid – there’s a post at the south end of the Caseta area, just next to the Palacio de Congresos building.

Lost property – an office is at the south end of the Caseta area, next to the first aid post.

Is Malaga Fairground accessible?

The fairground itself is flat and has a mostly firm surface, so it’s accessible for wheelchairs. However, Malaga Fair is always packed to capacity, so you might find it difficult to get around easily. We’d recommend going in the early evening and leaving before the main crowds arrive (usually after midnight).

How do I get to Malaga fairground?

The Real de la Feria is located to the west of the city centre – Google map link here.

By bus from Malaga city centre

The easiest way to get there is by the Line F bus.

It runs 24-hours a day between the centre of Malaga and the fairground from noon on Saturday 16 August to the early hours of Saturday 23 August.

If you’re based outside the centre and want to get to the fairground on public transport, there are bus lines from most parts of town – look for the letter ‘F’ (for feria) in the front window.

Tickets cost €2 and you can tap-pay by phone or debit/credit card.

By taxi or Uber/Cabify

Malaga taxis have two official ranks at the fairground – one on Avenida de las Malagueñas next to the main entrance to the fair and the other, in Avenida Ortega y Gasset at the north end of the fairground.

Uber, Bolt and Cabify cars have a drop-off and pick-up point in Avenida Ortega y Gasset in the side road next to Calle Flauta Mágica.

Getting to Malaga fair from outside Malaga

By train

If you’re based near one of the local train lines, Cercanías C1 (Malaga-Torremolinos-Benalmádena-Fuengirola) or C2 (Malaga-Cártama-Pizarra-Álora), Renfe has added extra services during the small hours. The additional trains will run at the following times:

C1 Malaga Alameda Centro to Fuengirola from Saturday 16 to Sunday 24 August: 5am, 5.20am, 5.40am, 5.55am and 6.30am.

C2 Malaga Alameda Centro to Alora: Saturday 16 to Saturday 23 August at 11.40pm; Saturday 6 to Sunday 24 August, 5.44am daily.

By bus

There are special bus services to Malaga fairground from outlying districts. These CTMAM services – green and pale yellow buses – run to and from Alhaurin de la Torre, Rincón de la Victoria, Casabermeja and Colmenar. More information here.

Getting to the fairground from Malaga Alameda Centro – get the 201 bus (EMT blue bus) from the north side of the Alameda Principal near Calle Larios.

What can you do during Malaga Fair?

Seven full days give a lot of scope. For example:

Partying

The main activity accompanied by dancing verdiales (music and dance from the Malaga mountains) and sevillanas (typical dance from Seville) and plenty of drinking.

Calle Larios – from 15 to 22 August, daily between 1 and 5pm. Local dance groups will be performing verdiales.

Typical drinks include Cartojal, a Malaga sweet wine or a rebujito (glass of fino or manzanilla sherry mixed with lemonade or Sprite). Typical food is usually plates of pescaíto (fried fish – baby squid, red mullet, anchovies, sardines).

Funfairing

Some seriously big and heart-stopping rides pack into the fairground, crowned by a ferris wheel with great views of Malaga from the top.

Concert-going

Lots of concerts (mostly free) take place during Malaga fair week. Here’s a link to the programme (pdf and in Spanish).

The daytime fair has four live music locations – Plaza de la Constitución, Plaza de las Flores, Plaza de la Merced and Plaza Mitjana – and there’s dancing in Calle Larios. 

Quieter concert-going

If you fancy some live music, but without the crowds, head for Araboka restaurant in the old quarter or its sister restaurant, Araboka Plaza, a short walk from the city centre.

Araboka Centro has live music every day from 15 to 22 August from 4pm onwards. Catch some traditional folk verdiales on a date to be confirmed. The restaurant has also prepared a special menu of tapas and wines, perfect for the fair.

Flamenco-watching in Malaga Fair

If you love flamenco and are in town during Malaga Fair (15 to 22 August), you’re in luck because flamenco (song, music and dance) forms an essential part of the city’s annual party. You can enjoy a flamenco show at the following locations:

Peña Juan Breva

The Flamenco Museum has daily concerts at 2pm and most performances include dance. The Peña Juan Breva is the city centre at Calle Ramón Franquelo 4 (Google map link here). Be sure to take a look at the exhibits in the Flamenco Museum while you’re there.

Caseta Municipal de Flamenco

In the Real de la Feria fairground, this caseta (Google map link here) has concerts at 2pm and 11pm (10.30pm on 20th and 22nd) from 15 to 22 August. The 2pm performance usually has a dance group.

Watch a flamenco show in Malaga

Auditorio Municipal

At the fairground (Google map link here) from 16 to 22 August, daily at 4pm and 10pm.

Horse-shows

The dancing horse shows take place at the Real de la Feria every day at 4pm and 10pm – go to the Centro de Exhibición Ecuestre (caseta No 39 – Google map link) to get your seat. You’ll also see plenty of horses and carriages parading around the fairground every day from noon to 7.30pm.

If you’re in the city centre before the Fair and fancy seeing an exhibition of horses dressed up in their finery and carriages, go to the Malagueta Bullring on Friday 8 August at 8pm. Free entry, but get there early to be sure of a seat. 

Bull-fighting

Some of Spain’s top bullfighters take on their quota of five bulls at the fair. Fights take place at the bullring in La Malagueta.

Sports

Sporting events take place during the week prior to the fair. These include a swim across the port, jabega races (find out more about these unusual boats), free yoga and beach race. More information here (click on agosto to see the events).

Children’s fun

As well as funfair rides, kids will also enjoy the following every day from Saturday 15 to Saturday 22 August:

• A variety of activities such as magic shows, games, puppets and clowns are on in Plaza de la Merced from noon to 3.30pm.
• Children’s theatre and puppet shows in the Caseta Municipal Infantil in the Real de la Feria fairground at 9.30pm.

Tips for enjoying (and surviving) Malaga Fair

Be prepared

• For big, big crowds and lots and lots of noise. And in a small space. If you want to get a taste of the fair but don’t like the idea of so many people, pop along to Calle Larios at noon for a bit. Or visit the Real de la Feria during the day.
• For the heat – August is hot and sticky in Malaga so wear light clothing, stay in the shade and keep a bottle of water handy.

Book your restaurant ahead

The city centre gets super crowded during Feria week, so we’d recommend the restaurants below for lunch.

Try eating out in side streets, the Muelle Uno area or in El Palo. For example:

• Araboka Centro – this lovely place is open daily from 1 to 11pm during the Fair, with live music, themed wines, ham carvers and verdiales dancing. Book your table ahead here.
• Anyway Wine Bar
• Mesón Antonio

Or take yourself right off the beaten track – see our list of Malaga restaurants worth the trip

Use public transport

Give Malaga city centre and the fairground a wide, wide berth if you’re in a car. There won’t be any free parking spaces! Take public transport instead.

Line F bus runs 24-hours a day between the centre of Malaga and the fairground from noon on Saturday 16 August to the early hours of Saturday 23 August. If you’re based outside the centre and want to get to the fairground on public transport, there are bus lines from most parts of town – look for the letter ‘F’ (for feria) in the front window. Tickets cost €2.

Top tip – if you’re coming to Calle Larios from outside Malaga by car, park (free) at the Martín Carpena sports stadium and get Line 2 on the Metro to Atarazanas Station. Calle Larios is a 2-minute walk away.

Pace yourself

Like all big fairs in Andalusia, celebrations in Malaga are fun but tiring. So take some time out on the beach or visit some of the Malaga attractions outside the centre – the Car Museum, the English cemetery, La Concepción Botanical Gardens, western seafront…

Dress yourself

For real party fun, dress the part. Dresses cost from €100 and there are several good shops in the centre selling them and accessories. If you’re looking for a budget option, head for the Cudeca charity shops (located in Calle Compañía and Plaza de la Merced) for second-hand dresses from €30.

You can also buy hats, hair accessories and other fair essentials at stalls on Calle Larios and the surrounding streets.

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