Teba travels back to the Middle Ages with Douglas’ Days 2026: medieval market, theatre, music and history from 20 to 23 August

For a few days in August, one village in Málaga province fills with Scottish bagpipes, medieval characters, craft stalls and historical re-enactments. From 20 to 23 August 2026, Teba hosts the 20th edition of the Douglas’ Days Scottish Festival, one of the most unusual cultural events in inland Málaga.

Over four days, the municipality will remember an episode that took place almost seven centuries ago and created a lasting link between this Andalusian village and Scotland.

The programme includes a medieval market, theatre, live music, historical activities, food, family entertainment and heritage visits, turning much of the town centre into a large open-air medieval setting.

Why does Teba celebrate a Scottish festival?

To understand Douglas’ Days, you have to go back to 1330.

Sir James Douglas, one of the closest knights to the Scottish king Robert the Bruce, was travelling towards the Holy Land carrying the king’s embalmed heart in order to fulfil one of his final wishes.

During the journey, Douglas and his men reached the Iberian Peninsula and joined the forces of Alfonso XI of Castile, who was fighting the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada around Teba and its strategic Castle of La Estrella.

Douglas died during the fighting in August 1330. His remains were later recovered by his companions and returned to Scotland, along with the heart of Robert the Bruce.

That extraordinary episode is the reason why Teba continues to celebrate its connection with Scotland almost 700 years later.

A medieval market takes over the streets

One of the main attractions of Douglas’ Days is the medieval market, which opens on Friday 21 August and spreads through streets including San Francisco, Grande and Herradores.

Visitors will find craft stalls, food, historical characters, street entertainment and performances throughout the weekend.

Local involvement also plays an important role, helping to transform the centre of Teba into something more immersive than a conventional market.

The event has been recognised as a Provincial Tourist Singularity Festival, highlighting its historical character and its unusual combination of Andalusian and Scottish culture.

Thursday 20 August: the festival begins

The programme starts on Thursday 20 August with the first cultural and institutional events.

Activities include the presentation of the poster for the 20th edition and the book ‘Il Cavaliere Nero’, dedicated to Sir James Douglas.

Later, Plaza de la Constitución will become one of the main meeting points, with a performance of the Douglas’ March to Teba and participation from students at the Municipal Bagpipe School.

Bagpipes have become one of the clearest modern symbols of the relationship between Teba and Scotland and will feature prominently during the festival.

Friday 21 August: the medieval market opens and ‘Lágrimas por Itaba’ returns

Friday 21 August is one of the busiest days of the programme.

The medieval market opens, filling the town centre with stalls, food, performers and historical characters.

In the evening, one of Douglas’ Days’ most distinctive events returns: ‘Lágrimas por Itaba’, a theatrical production that uses different locations around Teba to recreate the events surrounding the medieval battle and the story of Sir James Douglas.

Rather than taking place on a conventional stage, the town itself becomes part of the performance.

Saturday 22 August: tribute to Sir James Douglas and live music

Saturday focuses heavily on the historical side of the festival.

A commemorative procession and tribute to Sir James Douglas will take place, while the medieval market and children’s area will reopen later in the day.

Local residents will also help bring different areas of the town to life through activities inspired by Teba’s medieval past.

One of them is the Conquest of the Teba farmsteads, which turns different areas into settings inspired by the town’s Mudéjar and medieval heritage.

The day ends with a live performance by Mardanis in Plaza de España.

Sunday 23 August: discover Teba’s heritage

The final day is particularly well suited to visitors who want to learn more about the town itself.

Several heritage sites will take part in an open day, including the Municipal History Museum, Ethnological House-Museum, Church of Santa Cruz Real and the Hermitage of Nuestro Padre Jesús.

The medieval market and family activities will also continue before the official close of the festival.

It is a good opportunity to combine the festive atmosphere with a quieter look at the places that explain Teba’s long history.

Douglas’ Days 2026 programme at a glance

Thursday 20 August
🏴 Opening of the 20th Scottish Days.
📖 Cultural presentations linked to Sir James Douglas.
🎶 Douglas’ March to Teba and Municipal Bagpipe School.
📍 Plaza de la Constitución.

Friday 21 August
🏰 Medieval market opens.
🛍️ Crafts and food stalls.
🎭 Street entertainment and historical characters.
⚔️ Lágrimas por Itaba theatrical performance.

Saturday 22 August
🏴 Tribute to Sir James Douglas.
🏰 Medieval market.
👧 Children’s activities.
⚔️ Conquest of the Teba farmsteads.
🎶 Mardanis concert in Plaza de España.

Sunday 23 August
🏛️ Heritage open day.
🏰 Museums, church and hermitage visits.
🛍️ Medieval market.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family activities and closing events.

More than just another medieval fair

At first glance, Douglas’ Days may look like a traditional medieval market, but what makes it different is that its setting is based on a real historical event directly connected to Teba.

Sir James Douglas genuinely reached the area and died during the fighting of 1330. That story has since inspired cultural exchanges, visits by Scottish representatives and a relationship that has become part of Teba’s identity.

The celebration therefore combines entertainment with genuine local history, giving visitors a reason to look beyond the costumes, stalls and performances.

A different summer trip in inland Málaga

For anyone looking for things to do in Málaga from 20 to 23 August, Teba offers a very different experience from the beaches and large events of the Costa del Sol.

Walking through a medieval market, hearing Scottish bagpipes in a white Andalusian village, discovering the story of a knight travelling with the heart of a king and exploring the surroundings of the Castle of La Estrella make Douglas’ Days one of the most unusual cultural trips of the summer.

The dates, programme and latest information for the 20th Douglas’ Days Scottish Festival can be found on the official Teba Town Council website.