Málaga is preparing for one of the biggest celebrations of the summer as the Feria de Málaga 2026 takes over the city from Saturday 15 to Saturday 22 August, with the traditional opening celebrations beginning on the evening of Friday 14 August.
The festival combines the lively daytime feria in Málaga’s historic centre with the huge night-time fair at the Real del Cortijo de Torres, where visitors will find fairground rides, casetas, food, flamenco, horses and a programme of free concerts featuring some of Spain’s best-known performers.
Málaga City Council has programmed close to 200 free shows and performances during this year’s festivities, with headline artists including Diana Navarro, David de María, Medina Azahara, Nancys Rubias, Zenet, Antonio Carmona and Paloma San Basilio.
Friday 14 August
Although the official Feria begins on Saturday, the celebrations get under way on Friday evening.
At 8 pm, the Historical Parade of Málaga leaves Plaza de la Merced, with the ceremonial handing over of the keys to the city taking place in Plaza de la Aduana at around 8.30 pm before the parade continues through the historic centre.
Attention then turns towards the waterfront. At 11.50 pm, a spectacular drone show will illuminate the sky over the Port of Málaga, followed at midnight by the traditional pyromusical firework display.
This year’s opening spectacle will involve 440 drones creating 14 three-dimensional images, followed by 5,694 pyrotechnic effects synchronised with nine pieces of music.
Saturday 15 August
Saturday begins with one of the Feria’s most traditional events, the pilgrimage and floral offering to the city’s patron saint, Santa María de la Victoria.
Carriages, horses and pilgrims gather on Paseo del Parque from 10 am, before departing at 11 am for the Basilica Sanctuary of Santa María de la Victoria. Málaga actress María Barranco is this year’s standard-bearer.
The daytime Feria will also be in full swing in the centre, with live music in Plaza de la Constitución, entertainment in Plaza de las Flores, Plaza del Obispo and Plaza de San Pedro Alcántara, verdiales on Calle Larios and flamenco at Peña Juan Breva.
At the Real del Cortijo de Torres, Málaga CF coach Juan Francisco Funes Arjona will deliver the official Feria opening speech at 9.30 pm, followed by the switching on of the artistic lighting at 10 pm.
The Municipal Auditorium hosts the first major gala of the Feria from 10 pm, featuring Encarni Navarro and Diana Navarro, while the Youth Plaza hosts a Los 40 Urban session with Ramsés López, David Álvarez and Sánchez Jr.
Sunday 16 August
From Sunday onwards, families can also enjoy The Magic Fair in Plaza de la Merced between 12 noon and 3.30 pm, with games, workshops, theatre, puppets, parades, magic and music. This children’s programme continues each day until Saturday 22 August.
At the Real, the traditional parade of horses and carriages runs from 12 noon until 8 pm, while equestrian shows, children’s entertainment, flamenco and verdiales continue into the evening.
The headline concert at the Municipal Auditorium begins at 10 pm, with Ana Romma followed by David de María.
At La Malagueta bullring, a rejoneo bullfight begins at 7 pm, featuring Rui Fernandes, Diego Ventura and Ferrer Martín.
Monday 17 August
Music and traditional Málaga folklore continue throughout the historic centre from midday, with live performances in Plaza de la Constitución, verdiales on Calle Larios and flamenco at Peña Juan Breva.
At the Real, the horse and carriage parade operates from 12 noon to 8 pm, with the equestrian show El Compás Ecuestre de Málaga at 4 pm and 10 pm.
One of Monday night’s main events will be the election of the Feria Queen and Mister at 10 pm on Avenida de las Malagueñas, with guest performances from Hermanos Ortigosa and Patricia Gavilán.
The evening’s bullfight at La Malagueta starts at 7 pm, with Sebastián Castella, Daniel Luque and David de Miranda.
Tuesday 18 August
The daytime Feria continues across the city centre, while Plaza de la Merced hosts another morning of children’s activities from noon.
At the Real, there will be a special women’s equestrian event and the 23rd Equestrian Attire and Harness Competition, Memorial Juan Alda, from 4 pm.
One of the musical highlights of this year’s Feria arrives at 10 pm when legendary Andalusian rock band Medina Azahara performs in the Municipal Auditorium, with Málaga band Tabletom also appearing at the Grand Gala.
The Youth Plaza will feature DJs Jesús Fernández and Manuel Pallarés.
La Malagueta hosts a bullfight from 7 pm with El Fandi, Borja Jiménez and Marco Pérez.
Wednesday 19 August
Wednesday 19 August is particularly significant as the Feria commemorates the incorporation of Málaga into the Crown of Castile in 1487, the historic event around which the August fair developed.
The familiar daytime programme of music, verdiales, folklore and flamenco continues across the historic centre.
At the Real, families can enjoy Los viajes de Julio Verne in the Municipal Children’s Caseta at 9.30 pm, while the Grand Gala at the Municipal Auditorium begins at 10 pm with Hoffman and Nancys Rubias.
The Youth Plaza features DJ Manuel Pallarés, while the Municipal Flamenco and Copla Caseta hosts the seventh Flamenco Dance Festival of Málaga Schools.
At La Malagueta, Talavante, Emilio de Justo and Roca Rey appear from 7 pm.
Thursday 20 August
Thursday offers another full afternoon of entertainment in Málaga’s historic centre, including music in Plaza de la Constitución, traditional verdiales on Calle Larios and flamenco at Peña Juan Breva.
At Cortijo de Torres, the equestrian centre presents Pasión Malagueña por el Caballo at 4 pm and 10 pm, followed by children’s theatre at 9.30 pm.
The evening’s Municipal Auditorium Grand Gala begins at 10 pm, featuring Tonia Rodríguez and Málaga singer Zenet.
DJs Javi Torres and Manuel Pallarés will provide the music in the Youth Plaza.
The 7 pm bullfight at La Malagueta features Morante de la Puebla, Diego Urdiales and Fortes.
Friday 21 August
As the final weekend begins, the city centre once again fills with music and traditional entertainment from lunchtime until the daytime Feria winds down at around 6 pm.
At the Real, the horse and carriage parade runs during the afternoon, followed by equestrian performances, children’s entertainment and traditional Málaga verdiales.
At 10.30 pm, former Ketama singer Antonio Carmona takes centre stage at the Municipal Auditorium for Friday night’s Grand Gala.
Also at 10.30 pm, the Municipal Flamenco and Copla Caseta hosts the final of the 19th Ciudad de Málaga Spanish Singing Competition.
La Malagueta’s 7 pm bullfight features Manuel Escribano, Emilio de Justo and Fortes.
Saturday 22 August
The Feria reaches its final day with one last afternoon of music, dancing, verdiales, folklore and flamenco in the historic centre.
Children’s activities return to Plaza de la Merced from 12 noon to 3.30 pm, while the Real hosts the final horse and carriage parade between noon and 8 pm.
The Municipal Children’s Caseta presents El viaje de Tan Tan y Yiya at 9.30 pm, while the Youth Plaza hosts The Fair Your Way, featuring young Málaga DJs and DJ Alpha Sky.
The final major concert of Feria de Málaga 2026 takes place at 10.30 pm, when Paloma San Basilio performs at the Municipal Auditorium.
La Malagueta also marks its 150th anniversary with a special bullfight at 7 pm, featuring Morante de la Puebla, Roca Rey and David de Miranda.
The daytime Feria
Throughout the week, the historic centre becomes the heart of the daytime celebrations.
Plaza de la Constitución hosts live music generally between 1 pm and 6 pm, while Plaza de las Flores, Plaza del Obispo and Plaza de San Pedro Alcántara feature musical entertainment during the afternoon.
Calle Marqués de Larios becomes the stage for Málaga’s distinctive verdiales, with different pandas performing each day, alongside a programme of local choirs, dance schools and traditional folklore.
Flamenco performances are also held each afternoon at the historic Peña Juan Breva in Calle Ramón Franquelo.
Activities in the historic centre finish at 6 pm, after which much of the Feria atmosphere moves towards the Real del Cortijo de Torres.
The Real del Cortijo de Torres
The Real is the centre of the Feria from the afternoon until late at night, with fairground rides, food stalls and casetas alongside several dedicated entertainment areas.
The programme includes daily horse and carriage parades, equestrian exhibitions, children’s theatre, flamenco, copla and verdiales, together with the major free concerts in the Municipal Auditorium.
Public transport is strongly recommended for anyone travelling to the Feria. Málaga’s EMT is increasing services during the festivities, with the special F line linking the city-centre Feria and Cortijo de Torres 24 hours a day. Sixteen additional night routes will also connect neighbourhoods with the Real, with the special Feria services priced at €2.
With everything from fireworks and horses to flamenco, traditional folklore, children’s entertainment and major concerts, Feria de Málaga remains one of Andalucía’s biggest summer celebrations and an opportunity to experience Málaga at its most colourful.
Feria de Málaga 2026 runs from 15 to 22 August, with the opening parade, drone display and fireworks taking place on Friday 14 August.
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