Feria de Málaga

What is the Feria de Málaga?

In August 1487, the armies of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, took Málaga after a long siege, bringing the city into the Crown of Castile. Every August, Málaga marks the anniversary with its great summer fair, the Feria de Málaga. Over more than five centuries it has grown into one of the biggest and liveliest fairs in Spain, a week of music, dancing, food and wine that takes over the whole city.

The fair has two faces. By day, the Feria del Centro fills the historic centre: the shopping streets are hung with decorations, and crowds move between squares where bands play and couples dance, glasses of sweet Málaga wine in hand. Verdiales, the ancient folk music of the hills around Málaga, played by groups in flower-covered hats, can be heard alongside flamenco and copla.

By night, the party moves to the Real, the fairground at Cortijo de Torres, on the edge of the city. Through its huge illuminated gateway lie streets of casetas, the fair's booths, where people eat, drink and dance until dawn, along with rides and attractions. Decorated horses and carriages parade through the fairground in the early evening, their riders in traditional dress.

The fair opens with fireworks over the beach of La Malagueta, and the city's bullring hosts its bullfighting season during the week. For a visitor, it is a chance to see the Andalusian fair tradition in one of Spain's most welcoming cities, by the sea, in the heart of summer.

What to expect

The fair runs for about a week in mid-August, with the day fair in the centre and the night fair at the Real.

Planning your trip

Getting there

Málaga airport is one of the busiest in Spain, with flights from across Europe, and is connected to the city by train and bus. High-speed trains reach Málaga from Madrid in under three hours. During the fair, special bus services run from the centre to the Real at Cortijo de Torres.

Where to stay

The historic centre is the most convenient, but it is noisy during the fair and books up early. Neighbourhoods near the beach, such as La Malagueta and Pedregalejo, or towns along the Costa del Sol connected by train, are good alternatives. August is peak season, so book well ahead.

What it costs

The fair is free: anyone can join the street party in the centre and walk through the Real. Food and drink in the casetas are reasonably priced, and some private casetas are for members only. Accommodation is the main expense, as August is high season on the Costa del Sol.

Go like you know

• Drink the sweet Málaga wine served at the fair, and try pescaíto frito, fried fish, by the sea.
• Learn a few steps of sevillanas; you'll see couples dancing them in the streets and casetas.
• Watch the horses and carriages at the Real in the early evening, before the night crowds arrive.
• Seville's Feria de Abril is the most famous of Andalusia's fairs, in spring.
• For another great summer celebration in Spain, see Alicante's Hogueras de San Juan, in June.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Feria de Málaga?

For about a week in mid-August. In 2026 it ran from August 15 to 22, with the opening fireworks on the night before. The 2027 dates are approved by the city council each year; expect a similar mid-August week, around August 14 to 21.

What is the difference between the day and night fair?

The day fair takes place in the historic centre, with music, dancing and drinks in the streets until the early evening. The night fair is at the Real, the fairground at Cortijo de Torres, with booths, concerts and rides open late into the night.

Do I need an invitation to enter the casetas?

Most casetas at the Real are open to everyone, and you can walk in for a drink, a meal and a dance. A few are private, run by clubs or companies for their members. In the centre, the party is in the streets, so no invitation is needed.