What to do today, Thursday 20 August, at Málaga Fair 2026: Zenet, flamenco, verdiales and family activities

The Málaga Fair 2026 continues this Thursday 20 August with a particularly varied programme. During the day, the Historic Centre will host music, verdiales, dance, flamenco and family activities, while the Cortijo de Torres fairground will take over in the afternoon and evening with equestrian shows, marquees and some of the day’s main concerts.

One of the headline names is Zenet, who will perform tonight at the Municipal Auditorium alongside Tonia Rodríguez. But the programme also includes the Magical Fair in Plaza de la Merced, the traditional Horse and Carriage Parade and several flamenco and verdiales performances.

Encarni Navarro and María Cortés in Plaza de la Constitución

The city-centre Fair will begin to come alive around midday, with entertainment spread across some of Málaga’s busiest squares.

In Plaza de la Constitución, Encarni Navarro will perform from 1pm to 4pm, followed by María Cortés from 4pm to 6pm.

There will also be live entertainment in Plaza de las Flores, Plaza del Obispo and Plaza de San Pedro Alcántara between 3pm and 6pm.

Calle Larios fills with verdiales

One of the most traditional experiences of the Málaga Fair can once again be found on Calle Marqués de Larios.

Thursday’s Verdiales Festival will feature two groups representing different styles.

Panda La Axarquía, performing in the Comares style, will play from 1pm to 4pm, while Panda Moclinejo, representing the Montes style, will perform from 2pm to 5pm.

For visitors unfamiliar with verdiales, this is one of the best opportunities to discover one of Málaga province’s most distinctive traditional musical genres.

Choirs and dance schools add to the daytime programme

Málaga folklore also has its own place in Thursday’s schedule.

From 12pm to 2pm, Coro Aire Andaluz will perform alongside the dance schools of José Lucena and Cortijillo Bazán.

Later, at 5pm, it will be the turn of the María Pérez Dance Academy.

Flamenco at the historic Peña Juan Breva

Flamenco fans have another essential stop at 3pm at Peña Juan Breva, located at Calle Ramón Franquelo, 4.

The venue will host Grupo Flamenco Peteneras, with Antonio Soto.

Flamenco also features prominently at the fairground later in the day, with further performances during the afternoon and late evening.

The Magical Fair returns as one of the best family plans

Families will once again find a full programme in Plaza de la Merced.

From 12pm to 3:30pm, La Feria Mágica: De la Tierra a la Luna. 30 Aniversario continues with activities designed especially for younger visitors.

The programme includes games, workshops, theatre, puppetry, magic, music, street entertainment and an eco-friendly carousel.

Participating companies and artists include Acuario Teatro, La Pili, Vibra Alto, Mago Luigi, La Carpa Teatro, Artrasto, Crystal Zircus, Manolo Supertramp, La Tremenda Compañía, Sésamo Teatro, Grupo Tenguerengue and Acuario Musical, among others.

Morante de la Puebla, Diego Urdiales and Fortes at La Malagueta

The bullfighting programme also continues on Thursday.

At 7pm, La Malagueta bullring will host a bullfight with bulls from Núñez del Cuvillo.

The line-up includes Morante de la Puebla, Diego Urdiales and Fortes.

It will be one of the main events of the afternoon before much of the Fair’s activity moves towards Cortijo de Torres.

Horses and carriages at the Real from midday

The Cortijo de Torres fairground will be active well before sunset.

From 12pm to 8pm, the traditional Horse and Carriage Parade will follow its official route through the fairground.

At 2pm, the Municipal Flamenco and Copla Marquee will feature Elena Pino ‘La Cuqui’, accompanied by guitarist Ismael Ruega, as well as Grupo Flamenco Rondeñas with José Lucena.

Two performances of ‘Pasión Malagueña por el Caballo’

The equestrian programme continues at the Equestrian Exhibition Centre, located at Calle Antonio Rodríguez Sánchez, 39.

The show Pasión Malagueña por el Caballo will be performed at 4pm and 10pm.

It is another opportunity to experience the strong equestrian tradition that remains an important part of the Málaga Fair.

‘Viajeros del carrusel’ for children in the evening

Families arriving at the fairground in the evening will find another activity especially for children.

At 9:30pm, the Municipal Children’s Marquee will welcome Ángeles de Trapo with the show Viajeros del carrusel.

It offers a family-friendly alternative to the fairground rides and other nighttime entertainment.

Zenet and Tonia Rodríguez headline the evening

One of the main highlights of Thursday night takes place at the Municipal Auditorium.

The programme begins at 9:30pm with a showcase of traditional Málaga and flamenco dancing.

From 10pm, the main gala will feature Tonia Rodríguez and Zenet.

Málaga-born Zenet returns to perform in his home city with his characteristic blend of jazz, singer-songwriter music, bolero, copla and Mediterranean influences.

For anyone looking for one of Thursday’s main live concerts, the Auditorium will be one of the key places to be.

Verdiales and DJs until the early hours

Several other parts of the fairground will stay busy late into the night.

At the Verdiales Marquee, Panda Jotrón y Lomillas, performing in the Montes style, will play from 10pm to 1am. Panda Los Lagares, representing the Almogía style, will then continue from midnight until 3am.

Meanwhile, the Youth Area will feature DJs Javi Torres and Manuel Pallarés from 10pm.

The flamenco programme has one final stop at 11pm at the Municipal Flamenco and Copla Marquee, with Rocío López ‘La Boterita’ on vocals and Francis Cerdán on guitar, alongside copla performances from Juanma Jerez and Raquel Framit.

Thursday 20 August: programme at a glance

• 12pm-2pm: Coro Aire Andaluz and the José Lucena and Cortijillo Bazán dance schools.
• 12pm-3:30pm: Magical Fair in Plaza de la Merced.
• 12pm-8pm: Horse and Carriage Parade at Cortijo de Torres.
• 1pm-4pm: Encarni Navarro in Plaza de la Constitución.
• 1pm-5pm: Verdiales on Calle Larios.
• 2pm: Flamenco and copla at the fairground.
• 3pm: Grupo Flamenco Peteneras at Peña Juan Breva.
• 4pm-6pm: María Cortés in Plaza de la Constitución.
• 4pm and 10pm: Pasión Malagueña por el Caballo.
• 5pm: María Pérez Dance Academy.
• 7pm: Bullfight at La Malagueta.
• 9:30pm: Viajeros del carrusel at the Municipal Children’s Marquee.
• 9:30pm: Málaga and flamenco dance showcase at the Auditorium.
• 10pm: Main gala with Tonia Rodríguez and Zenet.
• 10pm: DJs Javi Torres and Manuel Pallarés.
• 10pm-3am: Málaga Verdiales Festival.
• 11pm: Flamenco and copla at the Municipal Marquee.

With activities running from midday until well into the night, Thursday 20 August is a perfect day to experience several different sides of Málaga Fair: traditional music on Calle Larios, family entertainment in Plaza de la Merced, horses at Cortijo de Torres and live music to finish the evening.

Full times, performers, locations and any last-minute changes can be checked in the official Málaga Fair 2026 programme published by Málaga City Council.