Salares Andalusian Arab Festival 2026: three days of music, food and Moorish atmosphere in the Axarquía

Salares is getting ready for one of its most special weekends of the year. From Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2026, this small village in the Axarquía will celebrate the 24th edition of its Andalusian Arab Festival, an event that transforms the streets for three days to highlight the town’s Andalusian heritage.

Recognised as a Festival of Provincial Tourist Singularity, the event will combine history, music, dance and food in a packed programme running throughout the weekend.

Arabic tea and pastries, tagine, street parades, oriental dance, falconry, flamenco, children’s activities and a traditional souk will all form part of a celebration in which the village itself becomes the main stage.

Salares turns into an Andalusian-inspired village

One of the biggest attractions of the festival is the setting itself.

During the weekend, the narrow streets of Salares will be decorated and filled with markets and activities inspired by the town’s Andalusian past. One of the most atmospheric moments will come on Saturday evening, when the traditional candle lighting takes place at 7:30 pm.

Events will be spread across locations including the Church of Santa Ana, Plaza de la Mezquita, the main marquee and Avenida Alcalde Ángel Fernández, encouraging visitors to move around the village throughout the day.

Friday begins with music, dance and Arabic sweets

The programme starts on Friday, 18 September at 9:15 pm in the Church courtyard with a video looking back at previous editions of the festival.

This will be followed by a concert by Mandanis, featuring Daniel Martínez and Javier González, accompanied by dancer Elena López, inside the Church of Santa Ana.

The evening will end with a street parade and dance performance leading to Plaza de la Mezquita, where visitors will be offered Arabic tea and sweets.

Saturday: tagine, horses, candles and a long night of entertainment

Saturday will be one of the busiest days of the festival.

The morning begins with a popular breakfast from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, followed by talks, exhibitions and activities exploring the history of Salares.

One of the morning highlights will be a route visiting the village’s historic wine presses, explaining traditional wine-making methods.

This will be followed by one of the weekend’s main food events: a tasting of chicken tagine and sangria, followed by Arabic tea and pastries for the symbolic price of €2.

In the afternoon there will be a treasure hunt for children and, at 7:00 pm, the Pasión Ecuestre show, celebrating horsemanship and equestrian tradition.

At 7:30 pm, candles will begin to light the streets, while at 8:00 pm the travelling show Sacerdotisas del Nilo will bring drums, torches and oriental dance through the village.

Flamenco and live music into the night

Saturday evening will continue with the official ceremony and the presentation of the Alminar Awards 2026, accompanied by a tasting of Moorish-style skewers.

Music then takes over.

There will be oriental dance from Duendes de Oriente, the Esencia Flamenca show by Antonio Guerra’s company and, at 12:30 am, a flamenco-pop concert by La Llave.

The night will end with a set by DJ Toulalan.

Souk, Andalusian music, falconry and €1 paella on Sunday

On Sunday, 20 September, the day begins with an Andalusian breakfast of churros and hot chocolate from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

From 10:00 am, the streets will come alive again with the souk, alongside workshops and activities focusing on Andalusian, Christian and Sephardic music.

The cultural programme will also include Vientos de Al-Ándalus, an educational concert by Javier Claros at the Church of Santa Ana, with free registration until capacity is reached.

At lunchtime, visitors will also be able to enjoy a popular paella for just €1.

The afternoon continues with flamenco, dance and local folklore. At 6:00 pm, there will be a falconry display with birds of prey, taking place at the same time as a tea tasting.

The festival will close at 7:00 pm with a performance by Manuel Orta.

A different way to discover one of the Axarquía’s white villages

The Andalusian Arab Festival is also an opportunity to discover Salares beyond the programme itself.

Its narrow streets, heritage and natural setting make the historical atmosphere of the festival feel especially fitting.

For anyone looking for things to do in Málaga this weekend, the event offers almost everything needed for a full-day trip: history, food, live music, family activities and street performances.

From 18 to 20 September, Salares will once again look to its past and turn it into a celebration open to anyone interested in discovering the Andalusian legacy that still shapes this part of inland Málaga.

More information about the Salares Andalusian Arab Festival and its recognition as a Festival of Provincial Tourist Singularity can be found in the official information published by Málaga Provincial Council.