Feria de Zapata 2026: Free Paella and Tripe Stew, Kids' Games and Live Music This Weekend in Alhaurín de la Torre

Free food tastings, live performances, activities for the whole family, and a food festival officially designated a Provincial Tourist Singularity Event — that's what's on offer this weekend in the Zapata neighborhood of Alhaurín de la Torre, which celebrates its patron saint festivities from Friday through Sunday with a packed program for all ages.

This corner of the Guadalhorce Valley will fill up with music, food, and entertainment for a festival that got its start back in the 1960s and coincides both with the feast day of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Zapata's patron saint, and with the start of the farming season.

The Historic Cooking Contest at the Feria de Zapata

The festival grew significantly in scale during the 1990s, when the first cooking contest was organized — an event where residents and visitors bring their own homemade dishes for everyone attending to try.

It's an event that has been officially designated a Provincial Tourist Singularity Event, and alongside the homemade dishes brought by residents, it also features a large wood-fired paella, Málaga-style tripe stew (callos), and the neighborhood's beloved Zapata watermelons, grown right there in the area.

Feria de Zapata Schedule: Friday

The festival kicks off Friday at 11:30 AM with the opening bell ringing in the celebrations, followed at 12:00 PM by games and activities for kids.

In the evening, at 8:30 PM, the procession of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción will take place, accompanied by Alhaurín de la Torre's municipal band. The procession sets off from Dolores Garrido Díaz's house, at Calle San Mateo number 4.

At 10:30 PM, Dúo Trenzao and DJ Loreto take the stage. One of the day's most anticipated moments comes at 11:30 PM with the opening address, delivered by Micaela Gómez Márquez, followed at 12:30 AM by the crowning of the festival queens, ladies-in-waiting, the young "Mister," and the honorary couple.

Feria de Zapata Schedule: Saturday

Saturday is one of the festival's main days, with the cooking contest taking place at 1:00 PM. That same day, attendees can enjoy a tasting of drinks, paella, and tripe stew, as well as Zapata watermelons, courtesy of Hijos de Miguel Torres.

That same time slot also includes the crowning of the 2026 Reina Mayor (Festival Queen), with live music from DJ Gabana and Antonio Rocha. At 4:00 PM, the Las Terremotos dance group, led by instructor Ángela, will perform, followed at 4:30 PM by the awards ceremony for the cooking contest.

The day continues at 7:00 PM with the kids' ribbon race, and at 10:30 PM with another performance from Dúo Trenzao and DJ Loreto.

Feria de Zapata Schedule: Sunday

One of the festival's key moments, the Rocío-style Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, takes place Sunday at 12:30 PM, accompanied by the choir of the Hermandad de San Isidro from Churriana.

The afternoon is packed with family activities: a chinchón card tournament at 4:30 PM, a painting contest at 6:30 PM, and a youth ribbon race at 7:00 PM.

Live music takes center stage once again with a performance by Dúo Trenzao and DJ Loreto at 10:30 PM, followed by a special Estopa tribute act at 11:30 PM, bringing the 2026 Feria de Zapata to a close.

Source: laopiniondemalaga.es