Twelve Gastronomic Festivals in September in Málaga: Tastings and Product Markets

The ninth month of the year in Málaga is usually filled with events that highlight the traditional cuisine of the towns in the province. Many of these events are related to seasonal products, such as those involving the Muscat of Alexandria grapes, almonds, or even the table olives of the Aloreña variety from Málaga. However, there is much more in this month that serves to bid farewell to summer and welcome autumn.

At almost all these events, there will be food tastings, complemented by markets featuring producers mostly affiliated with the Sabor a Málaga promotional brand. These are the main events in chronological order for this September.

It tends to be the first gastronomic festival of the month and practically opens the period of festivities related to the grape harvest in Málaga. It takes place in the westernmost municipality of the Costa del Sol, which claims each year its trajectory and quality in wine production from Muscat grapes, used to make high-quality sweet and dry white wines. Among the most notable acts will be the grape cluster contest, the procession and offering to the virgin, or the grape crushing and subsequent wine tasting.

TASTING: First wine of the season on Sunday at 7 PM after the grape crushing.

A story that lies between history and legend places this town as the first where the recipe for ajoblanco, a satisfying, refreshing, and very traditional drink in the towns of Axarquía, was recorded. Around it, one of the oldest gastronomic festivals in the province is celebrated, which this year marks its 55th edition. It started as an event to demand improvements in the road access to the town and has established itself as a major gastronomic event of the summer in Andalusia.

TASTING: More than four thousand liters of ajoblanco (from 12 to 3 PM) and wines from Ucopaxa (from 6 to 8 PM).

The eve of the Candelaria festivities is the chosen moment to celebrate this symbolic grape crushing at the Ethnographic Museum of Riogordo. In this way, tribute is paid to a tradition of many centuries. In this edition of this gastronomic event, there will also be a guided wine tasting offered by the Regulatory Council of the Denomination of Origin Málaga, Sierras de Málaga, and Pasas de Málaga.

TASTING: Guided tasting starting at 8 PM.

What began as a single day event where traditionally only fried and natural (in vinegar) anchovies were distributed, now known as the Fiesta del Boquerón Victoriano, has become an important date to showcase this small blue fish so linked to the Málaga coast. During these days, there will be numerous live cooking demonstrations, along with the traditional tastings, which are repeated every year.

TASTING: Anchovies at 63 restaurants identified by a badge at the entrance during September 12, 13, and 14 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM and from 8:30 to 10:00 PM.

Almost mid-month, another festival that pays tribute to the grape harvest will arrive. It will take place in Mollina, a land of wines in the region of Antequera, where it is customary to have a speaker related to the world of literature and music. In this case, the versatile writer David Uclés will give the opening speech at a very lively festival where you can taste the wine from the three wineries in the town. Among the most important events, the highlights include a large-scale wine tasting outdoors and a parade with bicycles decorated with motifs related to the grape harvest.

TASTING: Large-scale wine tasting on Saturday at 1 PM in Plaza de Atenas.

Although today much of what was its territory dedicated to vineyards is occupied by the La Viñuela reservoir, the town of the same name continues to maintain the tradition of producing this sun-dried grape that warms Axarquía in September. Thus, both the second Friday and Saturday of this month, it celebrates a festival that includes a procession, tastings of typical dishes, or the exhibition of classic vehicles.

TASTING: Typical dishes of the region between 2 and 3:30 PM on Saturday.

It is a date marked on the calendar of the town that produces the largest amount of Aloreña olives in Málaga. There, you can taste the first table olive of the season, thanks to a contest that usually marks the start of this festival, which also has a religious component, as it is celebrated every year around September 12, the day of the Virgin of the Sweet Name of Mary.

TASTING: First seasoned olives of the season after the contest.

As every second Sunday of September since the beginning of this century, Moclinejo pays tribute to all those who work with Muscat grapes on the steep slopes of its surroundings. The Fiesta de Viñeros is one of the most important events in Axarquía to showcase the grapes, raisins, and wines of this variety so linked to the terroir. The town is committed to this festival to show a symbolic grape crushing or the inside of the Antonio Muñoz Cabrera winery (DIMOBE) approaching its centenary. Verdiales or a raisin chopping workshop are other attractions for this day, which will culminate at 8 PM with a performance by the singer Manzanita.

TASTING: Popular rice starting at 3:30 PM and distribution of sweet wine and Muscat grapes, as well as borrachuelos made by the locals.

The third weekend of September, a thematic festival revolving around the products and agri-food culture related to the Malaga goat breed is celebrated in Casabermeja. The main activities of this event will be re-enacted. The usual tapas route, a cheese market, and various workshops will not be missing. Thus, for three days, dishes made with kid meat and goat cheeses can be savored in different restaurants in the town. Additionally, guided tours to the main monuments of Casabermeja will be available.

TASTINGS: Although not free, there are themed tapas in bars and restaurants.

Every third Sunday of September in El Borge, the raisin made from the Muscat of Alexandria grape is showcased, both in this town and others in the surroundings. It is worth noting that this municipality is located on the Ruta de la Pasa, included within the SIPAM territory (Important System of the World Agricultural Heritage) and is part of the 'Corazón Moscatel' tourism brand (together with Almáchar and Moclinejo). As usual, during the Sunday morning, some of the tasks typical of this crop will be staged, as well as the production of raisins and wine. Other attractions for visiting this town in Axarquía include the tasting of various gastronomic dishes and performances by pandas de verdiales. There will also be a market of local or regional products.

TASTING: Distribution of migas, ensaladilla cateta, and cold cuts at a symbolic price (one euro per dish).

Although still to be confirmed, September 25 is being considered as the main option for the Popular Moraga that is celebrated every September in Marbella. It will be the last major event with sardine skewers. This festival will be spread that evening across three of its most emblematic beaches: Venus (Marbella), La Salida (San Pedro de Alcántara), and Las Chapas. There will be moragas at each of them to savor one of the most ancestral dishes of the cuisine of the province of Málaga.

TASTING: Sardine skewers at three different beaches of the Marbella coast.

The last Sunday of September will once again celebrate the thematic festival that in Almogía is held around the almond, almost when its harvest is concluded. Although last year it was held on Saturday, this edition returns to the last day of the week, as it had been done since its beginnings. In addition to various almond tastings or dishes and products made with them, it is usual to find traditional recipes with this nut in the bars and restaurants of the town on this day, such as meatballs, goat, or rabbit, among others. There will also be a market of artisanal products.

TASTING: almonds or dishes and products made with them (at noon).

*In addition to these festivals, there will be activities and gastronomic tastings at other thematic events of the month of September, such as Music Day in Benamocarra (September 20) and the Quema de Algarrobo (from September 19 to 21).