The Málaga Feria is the city’s biggest celebration, taking over the streets and feria ground (next to the Palacio de los Congressos) for nine days of music, dancing, food, and tradition. In 2025 it runs from Friday 15 August to Saturday 23 August, and if you’re visiting Málaga during this time, you’ll want to know how it works, where to go, and what to expect.
The event kicks off on the evening of Friday 15 August with a huge opening night. It starts with a historic parade through the city centre at 8pm, featuring horses, traditional costumes, and live music. Later that night, head towards the port (the beach at La Malagueta) for a drone light show at 11:50pm, followed by fireworks at midnight. These are choreographed to music and best seen from Muelle Uno or near the cruise terminal, so arrive early to get a good spot. It also gets very busy so can be a pain getting buses or taxis after the show, so try not to travel too far!
From the next day, the Feria splits into two distinct parts: the Day Fair in the city centre and the Night Fair at the fairground in Cortijo de Torres. The full Feria 2025 programme is available here (in Spanish).
The Day Fair runs from around midday to early evening and fills the historic centre with music and dancing. Plazas like Plaza de la Constitución, Plaza de la Merced, and Plaza del Obispo become stages for flamenco shows, traditional verdiales folk music, and street parties. Locals and visitors alike wear colourful outfits, with many women in flamenco dresses. The drink of choice is Cartojal, a sweet pink wine served chilled in small bottles that you’ll see everywhere.
The Night Fair starts in the late afternoon and goes on until the early hours (think 6am). The fairground is a mix of rides, food stalls, and casetas – large marquee bars – all open to the public. There’s live music every night, from flamenco to Spanish pop, with free concerts by popular acts such as Chambao, Camela, and Merche. The fairground is also where you’ll find the equestrian centre, hosting daily horse shows that combine music, tradition, and riding skills.
If you’re visiting for the first time, here are the essentials. Wear light, colourful clothing – a flamenco dress if you want to join in the tradition, or at least something smart casual. Plan to visit both the Day and Night Fairs to experience the full atmosphere. Try the local food, especially pescaíto (fried fish) and jamón, and take a ride on the Ferris wheel at night for views over the city.
Getting around is simple. The city runs special bus routes during Feria week, including an all-night service between the centre and the fairground. There are also special buses from places like Rincon De La Victoria - full details at Avanca. August in Málaga is hot, so drink plenty of water and take breaks in the shade when you can. While most places take card, having some cash is useful for smaller stalls. And remember, the Feria is a long event – pace yourself if you want to last more than one night.
The Málaga Feria is as much about atmosphere as it is about specific events. It’s noisy, colourful, and full of life, with something happening at every hour of the day and night. Whether you’re here for the music, the food, the traditions, or simply to soak up the party, knowing the basics will help you make the most of it. Come ready to join in – because once the music starts, it’s impossible not to.