San Miguel Pilgrimage fills the streets today with 54 decorated carts and live music in Los Pinares

Torremolinos is experiencing one of its most important September celebrations today. The San Miguel Pilgrimage 2026 has once again transformed the town this Sunday, with a procession of 54 decorated carts and large numbers of participants accompanying the patron saint towards Los Pinares.

From early this morning, the usual rhythm of the town has been replaced by a distinctly festive atmosphere, with decorated carts, horses, traditional dress, music and groups of residents and visitors joining the celebrations.

The event also acts as a major prelude to the San Miguel Fair, which will take place from 25 to 29 September.

And the day is far from over: celebrations continue this afternoon around the Hermitage of San Miguel, with live music and Los del Río among the main attractions.

The San Miguel Pilgrimage began early this morning

The day started at 9:00 am at the Hermitage of San Miguel, with the blessing of the pilgrims and the departure of the patron saint.

San Miguel was then taken towards Avenida de los Manantiales, where the traditional pilgrims’ mass was held with music from the San Miguel choir.

One of the main moments of the morning came at 10:30 am, when the procession officially began its journey towards Los Pinares.

The route passes through some of the best-known streets in central Torremolinos before heading towards the pine forest:

Avenida de los Manantiales → Plaza Costa del Sol → Avenida Palma de Mallorca → Avenida Joan Miró → Rafael Quintana Rosado → Carretera de Benalmádena → Pozuelo junction → Los Pinares.

For several hours, the route effectively turns the streets themselves into part of the celebration.

54 decorated carts take part in this year’s procession

The carts are once again one of the most recognisable images of the day.

A total of 54 are taking part this year, specially decorated for the occasion and accompanied by groups of pilgrims making their way through Torremolinos with music, dancing and a lively social atmosphere.

The traditional cart and tractor competition is also being held during the pilgrimage, with judges assessing elements such as decoration and the atmosphere created by each group.

The prizes will not be handed out today. Instead, the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place during the San Miguel Fair at the Senior Citizens and Associations marquee.

The party continues this afternoon with Los del Río

Once the procession reaches its destination, attention gradually shifts towards Los Pinares and the open area in front of the Hermitage of San Miguel.

Live music is one of the main features of the afternoon programme, with performances by Ulises Serrano and Carlos Bravo, as well as one of the biggest names on this year’s bill: Los del Río.

The Seville duo are among the main musical attractions of a day that traditionally continues well into the afternoon, with families and groups of friends gathering around the pine forest.

For anyone still looking for things to do in Torremolinos today, the area around San Miguel remains one of the main places to experience the final part of the pilgrimage.

A major operation for one of Torremolinos’ busiest traditional events

An event of this scale also requires a significant municipal operation.

A special cleaning team of 40 workers divided into five initial sweeping crews has been deployed, along with staff specifically assigned to areas used by oxen and horses.

The operation also includes street-cleaning vehicles, water tankers, machinery and around 140 temporary bins placed along the route.

Once the pilgrimage finishes, additional teams will carry out cleaning work in Los Pinares and the fairground.

Security has also been reinforced, with dozens of Local Police officers on duty and support from a mounted police unit from Málaga.

Important: fires remain prohibited in Los Pinares

Anyone planning to head to the celebration this afternoon should also keep one important rule in mind.

The ban on lighting fires for cooking or any other purpose in recreational and camping areas remains in force.

The restriction continues until 15 October, making it particularly relevant on a day when large numbers of people gather in the natural surroundings of Los Pinares.

Watering points for animals and temporary toilets have also been installed along the route and in the camping area.

A tradition dating back to 1940

The San Miguel Pilgrimage marks 86 years since its first celebration in 1940.

Its origins can be traced back to a countryside gathering held at Fuente de la Salud. Around a decade later, the event became linked to San Miguel Arcángel, the patron saint of Torremolinos.

Over the decades, the pilgrimage has become one of the biggest dates in the local festive calendar and an important lead-in to the town’s main September fair.

Today, that tradition is once again visible across Torremolinos, with horses, carts, pilgrims and live music filling the streets and Los Pinares.

The complete San Miguel Pilgrimage and Fair 2026 programme, including times and activities, can be checked on the official Torremolinos Tourism website⁠.