Orange, Honey and Medlar, three fun gastronomic festivals this weekend in the towns of Malaga

This weekend, the province of Málaga will be filled with aromas, flavors, and traditions as it celebrates three food festivals with a popular character. Istán, Frigiliana, and Sayalonga will be the venues where homage is paid to three local products that define much of their agricultural and culinary identity: the orange, the sugarcane honey, and the loquat. Declared of Provincial Touristic Uniqueness, these celebrations not only allow tasting of native products but also provide a close look at the history and heritage of these white villages nestled among mountains, valleys, and landscapes of great beauty.

Istán Orange Day

The town of Istán, located right in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park and with a marked Andalusian legacy, hosts on Saturday, May 3 a new edition of Orange Day, a day where local gastronomy is the main protagonist. The festival originated in the nineties thanks to an initiative by the Adult Learning Center, whose students compiled traditional recipes that had been passed down through generations orally.

The core of the event is the 29th Gastronomic Showcase and Orange Day, where dishes from the popular Istán recipe book can be tasted: fennel stew, fried pumpkin with cod and clams, migas, zahínas, fried porridge, or rice pudding. All dishes are presented on tables decorated with local citrus—mainly oranges and lemons—and wheat bread. The day is rounded off with the 16th Istán Tapas Route and musical performances and traditional dances by verdiales bands, creating a festive atmosphere with deeply rooted Málaga traditions.

Frigiliana Sugarcane Honey Day

On Sunday, May 4, the Axarquía town of Frigiliana celebrates the 10th edition of Sugarcane Honey Day, a flagship product of the town, made in El Ingenio, the only active factory in Europe dedicated to this production. This factory, located in the former Palace of the Counts of Frigiliana and operational since 1909, can be visited for free during the day thanks to a guided tour scheduled at 11:00 AM.

The event's program starts at 11:30 AM with the official opening of Sugarcane Honey Day, followed by live cooking demonstrations and tastings of cane juice starting at noon, along with local performances that fill the streets of the historic center. Among the participating groups are the Ángela Muñoz Dance Academy, Danzas de Nerja, Peña de la Amistad Choir, Frigiliana Choirs and Dances, and Alkka and Chris Choir.

Sayalonga Loquat Day

Also on Sunday, May 4, Sayalonga once again celebrates Loquat Day, a festival that has reached its thirty-ninth edition and has become one of the most awaited events in the region. This event takes place in Rafael Alcoba Square and revolves around a fruit whose production has become an important source of income for the families of the municipality, who cultivate more than 50 hectares dedicated to loquats.

The day begins at 12:00 with the opening of stalls selling typical products and local crafts. Throughout the day, fresh loquats, sweet muscatel wine, and artisanal jams can be tasted. In addition, traditional loquat awards are given in local, regional, and Andalusian categories. The program is completed with multiple performances by verdiales bands, croso, flamenco, the Mecamela concert, and DJ sessions by A. Hierro and Sau.