Málaga Fair 2026: concerts, traditions and activities from 14 to 22 August

Málaga is ready for its 2026 August Fair, officially taking place from 15 to 22 August, although the first events will begin on the evening of Friday 14.

The programme will once again be divided between two main settings: the streets and squares of the historic centre during the day and the Cortijo de Torres fairground, which will host much of the activity from the afternoon until late at night.

Throughout the week there will be live music, flamenco, verdiales, folklore, equestrian shows, children’s activities, DJ sessions and free concerts.

Drones and fireworks to open the fair

The celebrations will begin on Friday, 14 August, with the Historical Parade leaving Plaza de la Merced at 8 pm. Half an hour later, the traditional handover of the keys to the city will take place in Plaza de la Aduana.

At 11.50 pm, Málaga Port will host a drone and light show, followed at midnight by a large musical fireworks display.

Pilgrimage, opening speech and the lighting of the fairground

Saturday 15 will mark the first official day of the fair and will begin with the traditional pilgrimage to the Basilica of Santa María de la Victoria.

Horses, carriages and pilgrims will gather on Paseo del Parque from 10 am, with the procession setting off an hour later. Málaga-born actress María Barranco will serve as this year’s official standard-bearer.

In the evening, attention will move to Cortijo de Torres. At 9.30 pm, Málaga CF coach Juan Francisco Funes will deliver the official opening speech, followed by the switching on of the fairground lights at 10 pm.

The Municipal Auditorium will then begin its concert programme with Encarni Navarro and Diana Navarro.

Music, verdiales and flamenco in the historic centre

During the daytime fair, entertainment will spread across some of Málaga’s best-known public spaces.

Plaza de la Constitución, Plaza de las Flores, Plaza del Obispo and Plaza de San Pedro Alcántara will host live music every day, generally from early afternoon until 6 pm.

Calle Larios will feature a stage dedicated to traditional Málaga folklore, alongside daily performances by verdiales groups representing the Montes, Almogía and Comares styles.

Flamenco will also have a dedicated venue at Peña Juan Breva, with performances scheduled throughout the week.

Diana Navarro, Medina Azahara, Nancys Rubias and Antonio Carmona

The Municipal Auditorium will host some of the most eagerly awaited free concerts of this year’s fair.

On Saturday 15, Encarni Navarro and Diana Navarro will perform, followed on Sunday 16 by Ana Romma and David DeMaría.

Tabletom and Medina Azahara will take to the stage on Tuesday 18, while Hoffman and Nancys Rubias will perform on Wednesday 19.

The final days will feature Tonia Rodríguez and Zenet on Thursday 20, Antonio Carmona on Friday 21 and Paloma San Basilio on Saturday 22.

The Magical Fair celebrates its 30th anniversary

Families will once again have their own programme during the fair.

From 16 August, Plaza de la Merced will host From the Earth to the Moon: 30th Anniversary, part of the Magical Fair programme, with games, workshops, theatre, puppetry, magic, music, parades and an eco-friendly carousel from 12 noon to 3.30 pm.

At night, the Cortijo de Torres fairground will also offer daily children’s shows at the Municipal Children’s Marquee.

Horses, copla and verdiales into the night

Traditional elements will remain at the heart of the Cortijo de Torres programme.

The Horse and Carriage Parade will run along its official route between 12 noon and 8 pm, while the Equestrian Exhibition Centre will host different shows each day.

The Municipal Flamenco and Copla Marquee will offer performances from the afternoon into the evening, while the Verdiales Marquee will welcome two groups every night.

DJ sessions for younger audiences

The Youth Esplanade will once again become one of the main areas for contemporary music.

The programme will begin on Saturday with Los40 Urban Session Málaga and will continue throughout the week with DJs including Manuel Pallarés, Jesús Fernández and Javi Torres.

The final day will feature La Feria a tu manera, a session showcasing young Málaga DJs.

Paloma San Basilio will close the fair on 22 August

The final day, Saturday 22 August, will once again combine activities in both the historic centre and the fairground.

Calle Larios will host its final verdiales and folklore performances, Plaza de la Merced will celebrate the last day of the Magical Fair and Peña Juan Breva will offer its final flamenco sessions.

At 10.30 pm, Paloma San Basilio will perform the final headline gala at the Municipal Auditorium, bringing one of the major musical highlights of the 2026 Málaga Fair to a close.

Official dates: 15–22 August 2026
Opening events: Friday, 14 August
Main venues: Málaga historic centre and Cortijo de Torres fairground
City-centre outdoor activities end: 6 pm

Information sources: Málaga Hoy and Málaga City Council.