Málaga Fair 2026 with children: full family programme from 15 to 22 August

The Málaga Fair 2026 is not only about concerts, marquees and nightlife. Families with children will have a dedicated programme throughout almost the entire week, with free activities split between the Historic Centre and the Cortijo de Torres fairground.

From 15 to 22 August, the Municipal Children’s Marquee will host a different show every night at 9:30 pm, while from Sunday 16 August, Plaza de la Merced will become the setting for the De la Tierra a la Luna. 30 Aniversario Magical Fair, with theatre, puppets, magic, music, games and workshops.

This year’s programme is particularly special because the Magical Fair celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades as part of Málaga’s August festivities.

Two ways to enjoy Málaga Fair with children

Planning a family day at the Fair is relatively simple because the children’s activities are divided between two locations and two different times of day.

During the daytime, the main family area will be Plaza de la Merced, where the Magical Fair will run from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm from Sunday 16 to Saturday 22 August.

The programme includes games, workshops, theatre, puppets, street entertainment, magic and music.

In the evening, the action moves to the Cortijo de Torres fairground, where the Municipal Children’s Marquee will host performances every night from Saturday 15 to Saturday 22 August, always starting at 9:30 pm.

This means families can enjoy the city-centre Fair in the morning, take a break during the hottest part of the afternoon and then head to the Real in the evening for dinner, rides and a children’s show.

The Magical Fair celebrates 30 years in Plaza de la Merced

One of the main family attractions will be ‘De la Tierra a la Luna. 30 Aniversario’, the programme celebrating three decades of the Magical Fair.

The project originally began in Paseo del Parque and remained there until 2010. It later moved to Calle Alcazabilla before transferring to its current home in Plaza de la Merced as attendance increased.

In 2026, it returns with a combination of performances, interactive activities and entertainment.

Participants include Acuario Teatro, Compañía La Pili, Vibra Alto, Mago Luigi, La Carpa Teatro, DDQ Kias Eventos, Artrasto, Crystal Zircus, Manolo Supertramp, La Tremenda Compañía, Sésamo Teatro, Grupo Tenguerengue and Acuario Musical, alongside Diamante y Rubí and Alberto Díaz de la Quintana.

There will also be an environmentally friendly carousel.

Magical Fair opening hours

The daytime family programme will begin on Sunday 16 August and continue every day until Saturday 22.

📍 Location: Plaza de la Merced.
🕛 Opening hours: 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm.
🎟️ Admission: free.
🎭 Activities: theatre, puppets, magic, workshops, games, music and street entertainment.

The timetable makes it easy to include the area as part of a visit to the city-centre Fair without staying outside during the hottest part of the afternoon.

Saturday 15 August: ‘Mastelchef’ opens the Children’s Marquee

The evening programme for younger visitors starts on Saturday 15 August, the same day the Cortijo de Torres fairground officially opens.

At 9:30 pm, Vibralto will perform Mastelchef at the Municipal Children’s Marquee.

It will be the first of eight consecutive nights of family entertainment, with theatre, magic and puppet shows scheduled throughout the week.

The artistic lighting at the Real will also be switched on at 10:00 pm that evening, giving families the chance to stay after the performance and see the fairground fully illuminated.

Sunday 16 August: Magical Fair and ‘La ratita presumida’

Sunday 16 August brings the full family programme into action.

From 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm, Plaza de la Merced will host the first session of De la Tierra a la Luna. 30 Aniversario.

In the evening, the programme continues at Cortijo de Torres with Esfera Teatro, presenting La ratita presumida from 9:30 pm at the Municipal Children’s Marquee.

Families wanting to spend a full day at Málaga Fair will therefore find children’s activities both in the city centre and at the Real.

Monday 17 August: ‘Magia y chalauras’

The Magical Fair returns to Plaza de la Merced on Monday from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

In the evening, it will be the turn of Mago Luigi, a familiar name on Málaga’s family entertainment scene.

At 9:30 pm, he will present Magia y chalauras at the Municipal Children’s Marquee, combining magic, comedy and audience participation.

Tuesday 18 August: Peneque returns to Málaga Fair

Puppets take centre stage on Tuesday 18 August.

After the daytime programme in Plaza de la Merced, Los Títeres de Miguel Pino will bring Peneque, el sueño de los títeres to the Real.

The show begins at 9:30 pm.

Peneque is one of the best-known puppet characters associated with Málaga, making this one of the more traditional family theatre events of the week.

Wednesday 19 August: a journey into the world of Jules Verne

On Wednesday, the programme is once again divided between Plaza de la Merced during the day and the Real in the evening.

At 9:30 pm, Acuario Teatro will present Los viajes de Julio Verne at the Municipal Children’s Marquee.

The production adds an adventure-themed show inspired by the world of the French writer to a week in which both the company and style of performance change every night.

Thursday 20 August: ‘Viajeros del carrusel’

Ángeles de Trapo will take over the Children’s Marquee on Thursday 20 August.

Its show Viajeros del carrusel begins at 9:30 pm.

Before that, the Magical Fair will once again fill Plaza de la Merced with games, workshops and performances from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

Families can therefore choose between attending only the daytime activities in the city centre or continuing later at the fairground.

Friday 21 August: ‘Operación chicle’ with La Carpa Teatro

Friday night belongs to La Carpa Teatro, one of the companies also taking part in the Magical Fair during the daytime.

At 9:30 pm, it will perform Operación chicle at the Municipal Children’s Marquee.

This will be the penultimate evening of family shows at Málaga Fair 2026.

The Plaza de la Merced programme will also continue that day from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm with its usual mix of magic, theatre, workshops, music, puppets and entertainment.

Saturday 22 August: ‘El viaje de Tan Tan y Yiya’ closes the programme

The final official day of Málaga Fair will maintain its family programme until the end.

Plaza de la Merced will host the final session of De la Tierra a la Luna. 30 Aniversario from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

Later, Índigo Teatro will close the Municipal Children’s Marquee programme with El viaje de Tan Tan y Yiya at 9:30 pm.

It will be the final family show in the official 2026 Fair programme.

Málaga Fair 2026 children’s programme day by day

Saturday 15 August
🎭 9:30 pm – Mastelchef, by Vibralto – Municipal Children’s Marquee.

Sunday 16 August
🎪 12:00 pm-3:30 pm – Magical Fair De la Tierra a la Luna. 30 Aniversario – Plaza de la Merced.
🎭 9:30 pm – La ratita presumida, by Esfera Teatro – Municipal Children’s Marquee.

Monday 17 August
🎪 12:00 pm-3:30 pm – Magical Fair – Plaza de la Merced.
🪄 9:30 pm – Magia y chalauras, with Mago Luigi – Municipal Children’s Marquee.

Tuesday 18 August
🎪 12:00 pm-3:30 pm – Magical Fair – Plaza de la Merced.
🎭 9:30 pm – Peneque, el sueño de los títeres, by Los Títeres de Miguel Pino – Municipal Children’s Marquee.

Wednesday 19 August
🎪 12:00 pm-3:30 pm – Magical Fair – Plaza de la Merced.
📚 9:30 pm – Los viajes de Julio Verne, by Acuario Teatro – Municipal Children’s Marquee.

Thursday 20 August
🎪 12:00 pm-3:30 pm – Magical Fair – Plaza de la Merced.
🎠 9:30 pm – Viajeros del carrusel, by Ángeles de Trapo – Municipal Children’s Marquee.

Friday 21 August
🎪 12:00 pm-3:30 pm – Magical Fair – Plaza de la Merced.
🎭 9:30 pm – Operación chicle, by La Carpa Teatro – Municipal Children’s Marquee.

Saturday 22 August
🎪 12:00 pm-3:30 pm – Final Magical Fair session – Plaza de la Merced.
🎭 9:30 pm – El viaje de Tan Tan y Yiya, by Índigo Teatro – Municipal Children’s Marquee.

Historical Parade, drones and fireworks before the Fair begins

Families can start making plans even before the official opening.

On Friday 14 August, the Historical Parade will leave Plaza de la Merced at 8:00 pm, followed by the symbolic handover of the city keys at Plaza de la Aduana at 8:30 pm and a procession through Málaga’s Historic Centre.

Later, at 11:50 pm, a drone light show will take place at the Port of Málaga, followed at midnight by the traditional pyromusical fireworks display marking the official beginning of the Fair.

For families with very young children, these times may be late, but they remain some of the most iconic events of the opening night.

Children’s Day comes after the Fair

The rides at Cortijo de Torres will also have a particularly attractive day for families.

The traditional Children’s Day takes place on the day after the Fair officially ends, which in 2026 means Sunday 23 August.

Ride prices are reduced during this special day, making it a useful option for families whose main priority is the amusement area.

It can also be a way to enjoy the rides after the busiest days of the Fair have finished.

Tips for visiting Málaga Fair with children

The first thing to consider is the August heat.

The Magical Fair ends at 3:30 pm, so arriving earlier in the session can help families avoid the hottest part of the afternoon.

At the Real, the 9:30 pm children’s performances take place after temperatures have started to fall. Arriving early also makes it easier to locate the Municipal Children’s Marquee, have dinner and explore the rides without rushing.

Using public transport is also recommended wherever possible, as traffic and demand for parking around Cortijo de Torres increase considerably during Fair week.

A Magical Fair celebrating three decades

The 2026 edition will be particularly significant for Málaga’s family programme.

The Magical Fair celebrates its 30th anniversary after entertaining thousands of children and families since it first began.

Over the years, it has moved from Paseo del Parque to Calle Alcazabilla and finally to Plaza de la Merced as visitor numbers grew.

Its longevity has made it one of the few parts of Málaga Fair specifically designed around children and the performing arts.

Across seven mornings and eight evenings, families will have an alternative to the marquees and concerts, with everything from simple workshops and magic performances to theatre, puppetry and interactive activities.

The full programme, schedules and any official updates can be checked in the official Málaga Fair 2026 programme published by Málaga City Council.