Malaga’s party of the year. Feria 2026 dates announced with eight days of festivities, flamenco and fun

Polish off the polka-dot, as eight days of flamenco, fireworks and flowing fino are about to take over Malaga. The Feria de Malaga 2026 dates have been announced, this year running from Saturday, August 15 to Saturday, August 22.

When does it all get going and what it is about?

Proceedings technically begin a touch earlier that the 15. Celebrations get going at midnight on Friday, August 14, with a wonderful musical and light show accompanied by spectacular fireworks on the beaches. A pilgrimage, the official opening speech, and the lighting of the fairground take place that same Saturday, 15 August, before the party properly closes on August 22.

The fair marks the day the Catholic Monarchs, Isabel of Castile and Fernando of Aragon, took the city back on 18 August 1487. Over five centuries on, it’s still the date locals consider the true heart of the celebration.

Two fairs in one city

Visitors to the feria are lucky enough to essentially get two separate celebrations in one. Daytime festivities concentrate around the city centre, with the night fair taking place at the Real del Cortijo de Torres, a short bus ride away.

Calle Larios is the main focus once the sun is up, packed with dancing, drinking and traditional verdiales, (Malaga’s own folk music, played on guitar and tambourine by hat-wearing troupes), then once evening falls, attention turns to the fairground, where stalls, fairground rides and live concerts run well into the small hours.

Free concerts and famous faces

Music lovers won’t need deep pockets. Free concerts at the local auditorium are hoping to feature artists including Chambao, Merche and Pitingo as with previous years, with flamenco and malaguena dance performances usually opening proceedings around 9.30pm before headline acts begin closer to 10pm. Full line up to be confirmed.

For full details you can download the programme on the Malaga Town Hall website.