The balcony of the Axarquía celebrates this Saturday its grand party in honor of Saint Hilarius of Poitiers: all the programming in Comares

The town of Comares, known as the Balcony of the Axarquía, will be adorned this weekend to pay tribute to its patron saint, San Hilario de Poitiers, in a long-standing festival that stands out as one of the most representative events of the region. Recognized as a Festival of Touristic Singularity by the Málaga Provincial Council, this celebration will once again bring together locals and visitors around a program that combines devotion, music, and the best local cuisine.

This festival always takes place on the Saturday following January 13, which in 2025 falls on a Monday, leading to its celebration on the latest possible date, this Saturday, February 18, when the bulk of this popular Festival of Touristic Singularity will be held. Verdiales bands, live music, and excellent cuisine have always been the three pillars on which this tribute, which the town has been conducting for over 30 years in honor of San Hilario de Poitiers, is built. During the celebration, the town's patron saint is paraded through the streets of Comares up to the iconic Puerta de Málaga, located at the foot of the town.

The events will begin on Friday 17 at 19:00 hours with the traditional proclamation of San Hilario, a solemn moment that will mark the start of the festivities. The event will be accompanied by live music, culminating in a collective toast in honor of the patron saint, serving as a prelude to the intense day on Saturday. The activities will resume early on Saturday 18 with the traditional flowered reveille, which will tour the streets of Comares starting at 8:00 hours to the rhythm of the Benamocarra Music Band, announcing the grand day of the festival.

At 11:00 hours, the Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación parish will host an emotional Rociera Mass, in which the Municipal Choir Balcony of the Axarquía will offer a special performance. Afterwards, the solemn procession of San Hilario will take place, touring the picturesque streets of the town accompanied by the music of the Benamocarra Music Band and the performances of the Verdiales Panda Arroyo Conca, bringing the characteristic sound of this Malaga tradition. The celebration will continue at 14:30 hours in the plaza Balcony of the Axarquía, the epicenter of the festival, where attendees can enjoy a lively popular party. The group Onda Sonora will be in charge of entertaining the afternoon, while the verdiales bands continue to delight those present with their unmistakable art.

The festival program in honor of the patron of Comares

FRIDAY 17

• 19:00 hours – Proclamation of San Hilario accompanied by music and, to conclude, a toast

SATURDAY 18

• 08:00 hours – Flowered reveille by the Benamocarra Music Band
• 11:00 hours – Rociera Mass with the Municipal Choir Balcony of the Axarquía, followed by the solemn procession of San Hilario through the town streets, accompanied by the Benamocarra Music Band and with performances by the Verdiales Panda Arroyo Conca
• 14:30 hours – Popular Party in the plaza Balcony of the Axarquía, enlivened by the group Onda Sonora and more verdiales for the enjoyment of all attendees