The Málaga Fair is one of the most important celebrations of the summer in Spain and one of the most anticipated events in Andalusia. For eight days, the capital of the Costa del Sol transforms into a city full of music, casetas (fair pavilions), gastronomy, shows, traditions, and activities for all audiences.
Every year it attracts hundreds of thousands of national and international visitors, who enjoy both the Day Fair in the historic center and the Night Fair at the Cortijo de Torres fairgrounds.
If you’re thinking about traveling to Málaga in August, this guide brings together all the information you need about the Málaga Fair 2026: dates, schedule, main events, transportation, recommendations, and answers to the most common questions.
When is the Málaga Fair 2026? Dates and duration
The Málaga Fair 2026 will be held from Saturday, August 15 to Saturday, August 22, both inclusive. However, the festive atmosphere will begin on the night of Friday, August 14, when the traditional fireworks display takes place, unofficially marking the start of the fair.
The fair lasts eight days and commemorates the incorporation of Málaga into the Crown of Castile by the Catholic Monarchs on August 19, 1487, which is why this date remains the main day of the festivities.
Throughout the week the city offers an intense program spread across two major settings:
- The Day Fair, in the historic center.
- The Night Fair, at the Real del Cortijo de Torres.
This dual offering allows you to enjoy two different atmospheres, and although there’s no need to choose between one or the other, we’ll tell you what each one includes.
Málaga Fair 2026 Poster
Main events of the Málaga Fair 2026
As in every edition, the Málaga Fair 2026 will feature a series of must-see events.
Opening fireworks display
The opening begins on the night of August 14 with one of the most anticipated moments: the grand pyromusical fireworks display along the Málaga coastline. It’s the most crowded event of the fair’s opening and one of the most important pyrotechnic shows in Andalusia.
Thousands of people gather in the area of La Malagueta beach and the port to watch a show that serves as the starting shot for the fair.
After the fireworks, musical performances usually take place and the festive atmosphere continues well into the early hours of the morning.
Lighting of the Real de la Feria
After the opening show, the traditional lighting of the artistic illumination of the Real del Cortijo de Torres takes place.
Thousands of light bulbs illuminate the main entrance gate and the streets of the fairgrounds, officially kicking off the Night Fair.
Day Fair in the historic center
One of the great attractions of the Málaga Fair is that much of the festivity is experienced during the day, and in fact for many visitors the daytime activities are where the true essence of the fair is found.
The streets of the old town, especially the area around Calle Larios, Plaza de la Constitución, Plaza de la Merced, Calle Granada, and other streets in the center, fill with music, live performances, verdiales folk groups, flamenco, and entertainment groups.
The historic center offers a unique atmosphere where locals, tourists, live music, and traditional cuisine come together.
The terraces stay open from early morning and the atmosphere is continuous until six in the evening, the established time for the end of activities in the historic center.
Night Fair at the Cortijo de Torres
When activity in the center ends, the party continues at the fairgrounds.
Here you’ll find traditional casetas, youth casetas, concerts and a variety of shows, as well as rides, food areas, and children’s activities.
The grounds have wide avenues and spaces designed to welcome thousands of visitors every night.
Casetas of the Real
The casetas are the heart of the Night Fair.
One of the most valued features is that most of them offer free admission, allowing you to enjoy musical performances, dancing, and food without needing an invitation.
Bullfights
The La Malagueta bullring will once again be one of the featured venues of the fair with a bullfighting season starring some of the leading figures of the moment, including Morante de la Puebla, Roca Rey, Fortes, David de Miranda, and Emilio de Justo, in addition to novilladas, rejoneo (bullfighting on horseback), and other events scheduled for August 2026.
Concerts and musical performances
The City Council organizes numerous free concerts spread between the historic center and the fairgrounds.
The final artistic program is usually announced a few weeks before the start of the fair.
Cultural and family activities
In addition to the casetas, the program usually includes equestrian exhibitions, parades, children’s shows, and activities for older adults. You can also enjoy folk performances, traditional contests, sporting events, and free concerts organized by the City Council.
Málaga Fair 2026 Schedule
The Málaga City Council has not yet published the full official program of the Málaga Fair 2026 with all activities broken down by day and time. As usual, this information will be available in the weeks leading up to the start of the fair. However, the main events that will mark the celebration are already known:
Málaga Fair 2026 schedule by day
The Málaga City Council has not yet published the full official program of the Málaga Fair 2026 with all activities broken down by day and time. As usual, this information will be available in the weeks leading up to the start of the fair.
However, the main events that will mark the celebration are already known:
Friday, August 14 (opening night)
- Approx. 11:50 PM: drone show over the Málaga coastline.
- 12:00 AM: grand fireworks display near La Malagueta beach and the Port of Málaga.
- Lighting of the artistic illumination of the Real de la Feria.
- Official opening of the casetas at the fairgrounds.
Saturday, August 15
- Official start of the Day Fair in the historic center.
- Opening of the casetas at the Real del Cortijo de Torres.
- First musical performances and family activities.
- Start of the Málaga Fair bullfighting season with Mari Paz Vega’s farewell from the bullring.
From Sunday, August 16 to Tuesday, August 18
During these days the schedule will follow a similar pattern:
- From midday: Day Fair in the historic center.
- Parade of horses and carriages at the fairgrounds.
- Performances by verdiales folk groups and flamenco.
- Children’s activities.
- Bullfights in the afternoon at La Malagueta.
- Free concerts at the Municipal Auditorium at night.
- Casetas open until the early hours.
Wednesday, August 19 (the fair’s biggest day)
August 19 is the most important day of the fair, as it commemorates Málaga’s incorporation into the Crown of Castile in 1487.
This day usually sees the highest number of visitors, and some of the main concerts, folk performances, and bullfighting events on the calendar are scheduled.
Thursday, August 20 and Friday, August 21
Activities continue with:
- Málaga Fair in the center.
- Casetas and rides at the Real.
- Musical performances.
- Children’s shows.
- Equestrian activities.
- Bullfights.
- Night concerts.
Saturday, August 22 (closing)
The last day keeps the usual schedule of the Day Fair and the Night Fair, with the final concerts, performances, and activities before the official close of the 2026 edition.
Update: this section will be updated as soon as the Málaga City Council publishes the full official program with all the concerts, schedules, and activities of the Málaga Fair 2026.
How to get to the Málaga Fair 2026
During the fair, a significant special transportation system is put in place.
Getting there by plane
Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport connects the city with numerous national and international destinations. From the airport it’s easy to reach the center by Cercanías train, bus, or taxi.
Getting there by train
Málaga María Zambrano station is one of the main railway hubs in southern Spain and offers High-Speed (AVE), Avlo, Avant, Long-Distance, Medium-Distance, and Cercanías services.
From there you can travel directly to cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Córdoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Zaragoza, Puertollano, Ciudad Real, and Antequera, in addition to having connections to other destinations via transfer.
The station is also used by other high-speed rail operators, which expands the range of frequencies between Málaga and the country’s main rail corridors.
As for regional services, Málaga maintains Medium-Distance connections with Andalusian cities such as Seville, Córdoba, and Ronda, also facilitating access to towns in the interior of the province and other municipalities in Andalusia.
The station is also part of the Málaga Cercanías network, with two main lines. Line C-1 connects the city center with Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, and other towns on the western Costa del Sol.
Meanwhile, Line C-2 connects Málaga with Cártama, Pizarra, Álora, and other towns in the Guadalhorce valley. These lines make the train one of the fastest and most comfortable ways to get around during the Málaga Fair, especially for those staying in nearby towns.
Getting there by bus
The bus is one of the most convenient options for reaching the Málaga Fair, both from other cities in Andalusia and from various points in Spain. The main terminal is the Málaga Bus Station, located next to the Málaga María Zambrano train station and just a few minutes from the historic center, which makes it easy to connect to the fairgrounds and the Real de la Feria via urban transport.
Long-distance buses depart from and arrive at this station daily, connecting Málaga with cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Cádiz, Almería, Jaén, Murcia, Alicante, and Algeciras, in addition to numerous international routes to Portugal and other European countries.
During the Málaga Fair, metropolitan connections are also reinforced, making it easy to travel from nearby towns in the Costa del Sol and the metropolitan area, such as Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, Estepona, Rincón de la Victoria, Vélez-Málaga, Cártama, Alhaurín de la Torre, or Coín. These lines usually extend their schedules to make it easier to return in the early morning hours, coinciding with the highest visitor turnout.
Getting there by car
Although it’s possible to arrive by road, using a private vehicle during the fair is generally not the most recommended option due to the high volume of traffic and traffic restrictions in some areas.
Those arriving by car should use park-and-ride facilities and continue their journey by public transport.
Getting around during the Málaga Fair
Once in the city, the EMT urban bus network sets up special services during the fair that link the historic center, the main neighborhoods, the bus station, and the Cortijo de Torres fairgrounds.
In addition, the frequency of several lines is increased to reduce waiting times, making the bus a practical alternative to avoid using a private vehicle and dealing with parking issues.
The best alternatives tend to be:
- Special fair buses.
- Málaga Metro, combined with shuttle buses.
- Cercanías trains for those staying in nearby towns.
- Taxis.
- Ride-hailing (VTC) vehicles.
It’s also possible to get around on foot through the historic center during the Málaga Fair, since many streets remain partially restricted to traffic.
Tips for enjoying the Málaga Fair like a local
Arrive early for the Day Fair
During the early hours it’s much more comfortable to walk the streets and find a spot on terraces and in establishments.
Wear comfortable shoes
It’s common to walk several kilometers between the historic center, the fairgrounds, and the various casetas.
Stay hydrated
August temperatures in Málaga easily exceed 30 degrees Celsius for much of the day.
Use public transportation
You’ll avoid parking problems and be able to move between the different areas of the fair more comfortably.
Book accommodation well in advance
Hotel occupancy reaches very high levels during fair week and prices tend to rise as the event approaches.
Try the typical cuisine
Don’t miss the chance to try local specialties such as pescaíto frito (fried fish), berenjenas con miel de caña (eggplant with cane honey), gazpachuelo, sardine skewers (espetos), or the traditional sweet wines of Málaga.
Frequently asked questions about the Málaga Fair 2026
Is admission to the Málaga Fair free?
Yes. Both the Dayy Fair and access to the fairgrounds are free. Only certain activities, rides, or shows may require a ticket.
Where is the Day Fair held?
Mainly in the historic center of Málaga, where the streets and squares host casetas, musical performances, and traditional activities.
Where is the fairground located?
The Night Fair takes place at the Real del Cortijo de Torres, a site located to the west of the city and well connected by public transport.
What’s the best day to visit the fair?
If you’re looking for the liveliest atmosphere, the first weekend and August 19 tend to see the highest turnout. If you prefer to explore the fair more calmly, weekdays tend to be a bit more comfortable.
Is it a good idea to visit the fair with children?
Yes. There are numerous children’s activities, rides, family shows, and casetas suited for enjoying the fair as a family.
Find the ideal tourist apartment to experience the Málaga Fair 2026
Enjoying the Málaga Fair is much easier when you have comfortable, well-located accommodation with all the amenities to rest after an intense day of celebration.
At Vacation Benalmádena you’ll find a carefully curated selection of tourist apartments and villas in Benalmádena, Torremolinos, and other strategic locations on the Costa del Sol. Thanks to their excellent road and public transport connections, you’ll be able to easily travel to the center of Málaga and the fairgrounds, while enjoying a quieter environment to relax at the end of the day.
Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with family, or with a group of friends, you can choose the accommodation that best suits your needs, with options that include a pool, terrace, sea views, parking, and all the amenities for an unforgettable vacation.
Check availability and book in advance to secure the best accommodation during the Málaga Fair 2026.
