It's the largest summer festival in town that features Flamenco, sweet wine, and dancing in the streets. As part of the celebrations, many events are held at various locations throughout the city. For instance, the opening speech for the celebrations is held on the beach of La Malagueta, whilst fireworks are displayed over the port. Concerts held during the Fair occur in the park and along the Plaza de la Marina. Along with the regular bullfights held in the La Malagueta bullring, the bullfight schedule for the Fair includes a novillada (bullfight with young bulls) with picadors and a mounted bullfight.

Quick Tip! Invest in a handheld fan and bring comfortable shoes for the Day Fair in the Old Town. The heat in August can be overpowering.

Málaga Fair Dates 2023

So when is the Málaga Fair in 2023? The Fair starts just before midnight on Friday the 15th of August 2023 and runs for ten nights and nine days, finishing on Sunday the 23rd of August. The dates have remained more or less the same every year since its' inception in 1467!

How to dress as the locals do for the event... You might not be prepared for the Feria with your Flamenco attire, but you should wear a flower in your hair if you're a woman or a Cordovan hat if you're a man.

Of course, eating and drinking are two of the main activities at the Feria of Málaga! When you arrive in the city, you will see that pink wine barrels are a common sight. Why? They are associated with the Cartojal brand of sweet wine, which is by far the most widely consumed beverage at the Málaga Fair.

It is made from Moscatel grapes and, in contrast to the other wines from Málaga, is a light, pale yellow colour. You can also attempt the Rebujito, a traditional Andalusian libation reserved solely for consumption by locals throughout Feria Time.

As for food, cold or hot tapas like fried eggplants, peppers, Spanish omelettes, salmorejo or fried fish can be found almost everywhere.

Quick Tip for fellow foodies! I recommend going on a Tapas and Wine Tour and learning everything there is to know about Málaga's wines and traditional tapas! There is no better way to begin a Fair Day than with a tour of the best local wineries and taverns and discover some hidden gems. I am confident you will enjoy every moment! View your options on Tripadvisor here.

Where is the Málaga Fair being held in 2023?

The famous "Feria de Málaga" (Málaga Fair) is being held in the heart of Málaga as well as the various Fairground areas dotted around the city. At the Verdiales Festival, men in white shirts and black pants with flowery hats and bows perform a fandango (a regional style of Flamenco). Women in peasant-style skirts dance to the music; this is the ideal place to hear authentic Málaga music.

What's on for kids at the Málaga Fair?

There will be games, workshops, and activities for kids in the Plaza de la Merced square from 12.00 to 3.30 pm each day.

Fair by Night...

The Night Fair, held at Cortijo de Torres and in a different location than the Day Fair, has rides for people of all ages. I'ts a much more pleasant temperature than during the day, too! At the fairgrounds, you will find restaurants serving fast food and traditional fare, as well as pancake stands and other stands with various music.

Fair by Day...

During the Day Fair, the streets of downtown are decorated. Folk music and dancing abound in the city's streets; there's music for all tastes, with the typical Verdiales music dominating.

How to get to the Málaga Fair

Thousands of people from all over the region visit Málaga to enjoy this world-famous event. Public transport like trains or buses is the preferred form of transportation to avoid traffic and having to find somewhere suitable to park.

By Train

Victoria Kent station, which is practically adjacent to the Fairground, is served by the national rail service, Renfe, along the Cercanas C1 route. A train runs from the city's centre to the Fairground every 20 minutes.
Additionally, this method of transportation is the most practical for getting to Málaga Fair from neighbouring cities along the Costa del Sol, such as Torremolinos, Benalmadena, or Fuengirola.

By Bus

There are special buses in the city of Málaga that travel to the Fair at all times from any location in the city (Line F runs around the clock) for less than 2 euros. This is the best method for bouncing back and forth.

By Taxi

You can either hail a cab from the street or use the apps for Uber or Cabify to order one. Be prepared to wait for at least 20 minutes, particularly at night.

Subway

During the Fair, the subway extends its scheduled hours until 1.30 am on the night of the fireworks until 2.30 am. And it starts at 6.30 am except for public holidays when it starts at 7.00 am as usual.

By Car

If you dare to drive to Málaga Fair, check out the following parking spots.

Where should I park so I can get to the Fair in Malaga?

There are 7330 parking spaces available in close-by locations like Los Prados, Palacio de Ferias y Congresos, La Huerta del Correo, or Teatinos. The parking lots are monitored from noon to nine o'clock at night, and an electronic warning system lets people know where spots are available.

The official municipal parking website can be found by following this link www.smassa.eu

Parking near the Day Fair

Car Parking at "Central" with 440 spaces at Plaza de la Marina, 5. (Map)
Car Parking at "San Juan" with 704 spaces at Calle Compositor Lehmberg Ruiz, 18. (Map)
Car Parking with 253 spaces at Calle Tejón y Rodriguez. (Map)
Car Parking at "Alcazaba" with 543 parking spaces at Plaza Jesús el Rico, 1. (Map)
Car Parking at "Camas" with 526 spaces at Calle Camas, 20. (Map)
Car Parking at Avenida Andalucía con 929 spaces at Calle Nazareno del Paso (Map) - Has electric car charging points.
Car Parking with 866 spaces at Calle Cervantes, 20. (Map)
Car Parking with 931 spaces at Calle Salitre. (Map)

Parking near the Fairgrounds

Car Park with 1110 spaces is available at Palacio de Ferias (Map)
Car Park with Los Prados has 2555 spaces (Map)
Car Park with Huerta del Correo has 2922 spaces (Map)
Car Park Teatinos has 1477 spaces (Map)

Accommodation

Tip: Book WELL in Advance! The summer months are busy tourist seasons in Málaga, especially around the Feria. If you decide to visit and experience our fantastic city festival, look for accommodation early. You can make your reservation here (the link takes you to Tripadvisor).

Other events happening in and around Malaga in 2023

To find out about other events on the Costa del Sol, check out our Costa del Sol Events page.