Ferias and Fiestas in Malaga

Malaga is the place to be when the party gets started!

 Here the principal fiestas in Malaga:
   1) The Celebration of Carnaval
   2) Easter
   3) Fiesta de San Juan
   4) Feria del Carmen
   5) Feria Real
   6) Christmas

Carnaval is celebrated the week before Ash Wednesday and the 40 days of Lent. This is not recognised as a great tradition in the Fuengirola area, However still celebrated in a few locations. And for those who choose to celebrate this there are several activities arranged for this time, including:

Fancy Dress Costume Carnivals
Carnival of Dancing
Masked Balls
Burial of the Sardine

Easter in Malaga has become more popular over the last few years, largely due to continuing effort of both local and national brotherhoods together with the Malaga Town Council. Previous years of financial struggle with organisation of these celebrations has been alleviated by an annual allowance supplied by the state.
 
Part of the festivities consist of a traditional "Saetas" singing contest, and because of the improvements that have been made through the years to the contests organisation, it becomes more and more popular year after year. It is staged in the Malaga House of the Culture each year, and is also free to attend. It is to be held on the 2nd March 2007, starting at 20:30. Some of the artists expected to appear this year are, Antonio de Canillas, Alcala Dew, Manuela Lamb, Paqui Rosales and Anastasio Ortigosa, With musical support coming from the talents of Juan of Cordova (guitar). The event will be hosted by Rufino Rivas.

As you would expect from an area which owes so much of its existence to the sea, the Fiesta de San Juan in Malaga involves the beaches and the sea.
 
It’s no coincidence that the Fiesta de San Juan is held on the day of Midsummer Solstice as this is the day that countries all over Europe celebrate the longest day of the year.
 
The roots of the Fiesta de San Juan can be found in the Pagan Religion but in these modern times the celebration and parties are about an excuse for a good time!
 
The Festival gets going at midnight on the 24th of June with large caricatures being burnt on large bonfires. These bonfires are easy to find as there are many dotted up and down the Costa del Sol. Hordes of people gather around these bonfires jumping and dancing through the night.
 
At the stroke of midnight everyone enjoying the festivities runs to the sea, in the tradition to wash away the evil spirits and be granted eternal beauty.
 
Although traditionally midnight signals the end of the Fiesta de San Juan in Malaga this does not mean the party is over, all it means is that the festivities move to all the bars along the Costa del Sol. Even though you can experience the Fiesta de San Juan in any Costa del Sol town, the celebrations in Málaga are certainly one of the best, and it comes highly recommended. If you find yourself on the Costa del Sol during this time of year, it is well worth the trip to join the party.

La Virgen del Carmen, Protector of Seamen. On the night of the 16th July many people gather whilst an effigy of Carmen is paraded around the town destined for the mariner. Once there the statue is cast off in elaborately adorned boats, to a crescendo of horns and wonderful fireworks.

In Mid-August Malaga fills with colour and becomes a magical, lively city of joy.
 
All over the city you can sample good wine, listen to music and enjoy the most traditional Malaga dances – verdiales and malagueñas.
 
The Malaga fair offers the chance to try something different, from horse parades in the streets and museums that stay open all day, to exhibitions in the city centre.
 
The most unusual thing about this fair, and the thing that makes it different from others, is that it is held at two different venues – there is the city centre fair and the one at the Real de la Feria ground, at Cortijo de Torres, which is designed specifically for fair stalls/marquees and all kinds of attractions.
 
You should not forget to visit the Malaga Bullfighting Fair either, the biggest summer event of its type in Spain. La Malagueta Bullring dons its Sunday best to offer spectators the finest bullfighting events.
 
If you want to enjoy the fair in all its splendour and you do not want to miss even the smallest detail, then we recommend that you live the fair from the very first day.
 
There are three fundamental things that you should jot down in your diary: attend the floral tribute to the city´s patron saint, Nuestra Señora de la Victoria (on the first Saturday of the fair); experience the city centre fair (or Fair by Day); don´t miss the Fair by Night (or Real de la Feria).
 
On the night of Friday 10 August, before midnight, head for La Malagueta to listen to the "Inaugural announcement", which is to be read this year by Malaga-born singer Pasión Vega. At exactly midnight, a major firework display gets underway, with accompanying light show and sound, along with illumination on Paseo del Parque avenue... Once inaugurated, you become a part of our fair, the Malaga Fair 2007 – welcome!
 
From 10-19 August you will have a broad range of options to live one of the most important fiestas in our city to the full. Take note. Come and experience it...!
 
It takes place in the main streets of the city, with calle Marques de Larios being the central axis. The fair in the centre is particularly popular with young people who can be found dancing to music in the streets, and drinking at the bars that set up their bars and speakers outside so that a good time can be had by all.
 
Those not so young can also be found at the Fair by Day, although many head for the "Real" ground, where malagueñas are danced, with people going from one marquee to the next. The women dress in typical flamenco costume while men can be found on horseback in traditional "Cordobés" suits.
 
After an intense day at the fair, don´t hold out until the last moment. It is better to rest and recover your strength for the Fair by Night...
 
...the fiesta continues at the "Real". This is a fully adapted fair ground, located beside the Malaga Exhibition and Conference Centre. It has more than 150 marquees hosted by clubs, religious brotherhoods, companies, associations...
 
The "Real" has 4 municipal areas. Each one has a major programme of performances: the Municipal Auditorium, Youth Marquee, Children´s Marquee and Verdiales Marquee.
 
As with all fairs by night, now is the time to continue enjoying the music... the time to drink, eat, dance and, of course, to enjoy the fairground attractions and concerts.
 
If there is one thing to note about the Real Fair Ground, it is the fact that it is divided into two parts. One is especially for young people, separate from the rest. This is so that the youngsters can enjoy the Fair in their own fashion.
 
The fiesta at the Real lasts until dawn, when it is time to have something hot to eat and drink, and recover strength so that you can start again tomorrow with the Fair by Day.

The Christmas festivities traditionally begin on the 1st of December with the introduction of each towns Christmas lights, and finishes with the Fiesta de Los Reyes, on the 5th of January. During the Christmas holiday there are many wonderful celebrations to mark the festivities, some of these are listed below.

A traditional Christmas procession through Benalmadena town.
Children's Nativity Plays.
Children's Carol Singing Contest.
Various Christmas related competitions.
Shop window dressing competition.
Annual Choir Contest.