What to do in Málaga this weekend: 12 plans for 18 to 20 September

The third weekend of September comes packed with things to do in Málaga and across the Costa del Sol. From Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2026, there is something for almost every kind of plan: traditional food festivals, live music, cultural events, markets, exhibitions and activities for children.

From Málaga city to El Borge, San Pedro Alcántara, Coín, Fuengirola and Torremolinos, these are some of the best ideas for the weekend.

Día de la Pasa in El Borge

On Sunday, 20 September, El Borge will celebrate a new edition of its traditional Día de la Pasa, one of the Axarquía’s best-known food festivals.

The village will pay tribute to the muscatel grape and traditional raisin production with tastings, demonstrations linked to the harvest, local food, music and activities throughout the streets.

It is a great opportunity to discover one of Málaga’s villages most closely connected with raisin culture.

Four days of Cuban culture in San Pedro Alcántara

The Bulevar de San Pedro Alcántara is hosting the gastro-cultural festival La Pequeña Cuba until Sunday, 20 September.

Over four days, visitors can enjoy Cuban food, crafts, music and cultural activities in an event inspired by the traditions and atmosphere of the Caribbean island.

It is an easy plan to combine with a walk around San Pedro and a stop for food or drinks.

Free live music in Coín

On Saturday, 19 September, music takes centre stage in Coín with a new edition of Coincierto, one of the town’s long-running cultural events.

Concerts will be free of charge and spread across Plaza de la Alameda and Plaza del Pescao from 5:00 pm until 2:00 am.

The line-up is headed by Barry B, alongside a selection of local and provincial artists.

More than 20 free activities at ‘La noche se hace arte’

Also on Saturday, Churriana will celebrate the ninth edition of La noche se hace arte, an evening dedicated to local culture and creativity.

The welcome begins at 7:30 pm, with activities starting from 8:00 pm.

There will be more than 20 free workshops and cultural activities, including live performances, crafts, exhibitions and artistic encounters.

The evening will end in Plaza de La Inmaculada with a concert by Ziryab.

Málaga’s unusual National Bricklaying Competition

One of the weekend’s most unusual events takes place on Sunday in El Palo.

Plaza del Padre Ciganda will host the 59th National Bricklaying Competition – Manuel Peláez Santiago Trophy, an event dedicated to highlighting the skills of professional bricklayers.

Competitors will demonstrate their precision and craftsmanship in front of the public during a day organised by Peña El Palustre.

It is certainly one of the most original events on Málaga’s Sunday calendar.

Browse the market at Muelle Uno

For anyone looking for a more relaxed plan by the Mediterranean, Muelle Uno is always a good option.

Its weekend markets bring together stalls selling crafts, fashion, decoration, local products and food, making it easy to combine shopping with a walk around the port and Palmeral de las Sorpresas.

It can also be paired with a visit to the historic centre, La Malagueta or one of the nearby museums.

LEGO and video games at OXO

Gaming fans have another reason to head into central Málaga this weekend.

The OXO Video Game Museum is hosting LEGO Gaming: The Exhibition, an exhibition exploring the connection between two worlds that have shaped generations of fans: video games and LEGO.

The show arrives in Málaga after its success in Madrid and forms part of a collaboration between LEGO Group and OXO to highlight the cultural and historical importance of gaming.

Fashion and classic cars in one museum

The Automobile and Fashion Museum offers another indoor cultural option.

Its temporary exhibition Maison Mesa: Emotional Fashion looks back at a decade of creative work and uses fashion as a way to explore stories, identity and emotion.

The visit can be combined with the museum’s permanent collection, where historic cars sit alongside pieces of haute couture.

Anna Pavlova at the Russian Museum Collection

Dance takes centre stage this autumn at the Russian Museum Collection in Málaga with the exhibition ‘Anna Pavlova: A Life Without Borders’.

The show traces the career of one of the most influential ballerinas in history and explores how her work helped transform and popularise ballet internationally.

It is a good choice for anyone planning a quieter cultural afternoon.

Spanish Baroque art at the Carmen Thyssen Museum

The Carmen Thyssen Museum Málaga is currently showing ‘The Ribaltas and Naturalist Baroque’.

The exhibition continues the museum’s exploration of Spanish religious painting and focuses on Francisco Ribalta and his artistic circle.

It can be visited alongside the museum’s permanent collection in the heart of the old town.

Sunday flea market in Torremolinos

For those who enjoy hunting for unusual finds, the Torremolinos flea market is a good Sunday-morning option.

Held at the Recinto Ferial from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, it features second-hand objects, books, records, toys, decorative items and all kinds of curiosities.

It can easily be followed by lunch in the town centre or a walk along the seafront.

Saturday flea market in Fuengirola

If Sunday does not fit your plans, Fuengirola offers a similar option one day earlier.

The Fuengirola flea market takes place every Saturday at the Recinto Ferial, usually from 9:00 am to around 2:00 pm.

It is a popular place to browse antiques, vintage items, books, collectibles, decoration and second-hand goods.

A weekend full of food, culture and outdoor plans

The weekend of 18 to 20 September shows why September remains one of the liveliest months of the year in Málaga.

Food lovers can head to El Borge, music fans have a date in Coín, San Pedro offers a taste of Cuban culture, and Málaga city brings together markets, museums and even a national bricklaying competition.

And for anyone who would rather improvise, there is always a simple plan: browse one of the Costa del Sol’s markets, visit an exhibition and end the day by the Mediterranean.