Holidays, events and festivities in Malaga

- The Three Kings parade, January 5. In Malaga the Three Kings arrive every year around 5 pm at the Port, from where starts the traditional Parade through the streets of downtown. This parade is the largest in the province with many carriages, marching bands and tons of candy spread across a huge influx of children and families. The parade usually ends with a great festival with singers, magicians and other artists in one of the central squares. Each year there are available maps with the route and timing and location of the final show.

- Turning off Christmas lights from Calle Larios and other munipalities.

- Carnival. For about ten days before Ash Wednesday take place events like parades, masquerades and fancy dresses. Carnival typically ends in the coastal municipalities with the "Whitebait burial", accompanied by fireworks on the beach.

- St. Valentine's day in Málaga the 14th February is the perfect excuse for a romantic getaway, there are many hotels and restaurants offering special events and dinners for that day in Malaga city centre.
St. Valentine contrary to what many believe is a pagan celebration that was adopted later by the church, it was extended to many countries since the 20th Century and is the day where lovers show each other their love. You do not need to buy a romantic gift, but what about a romantic dinner or getaway?

- Holi Life Race (formerly called Holi Run) and the Holi Boom take place on February 18th in Malaga.

- Day of Andalucia in Malaga the 28th of February: This special day conmemorates the independence of Andalucia after becoming a autonomous community. There is a special ornamentation for this day on many villages terraces, there are special contests at schools and it is a free day in many andalusian municipalities.

- In late March or early April takes place the Feria Natura in Malaga with the aim of disseminating and promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. In 2019 takes place from 5 to 7 April at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Malaga.

- 14th to 21st in April: Easter: During the Easter in Malaga come together the tradition of Andalusia and the typical joyful character of the local people. During these days the streets of Malaga are filled with the scent of incense and spontaneous, highly emotional devotional chants. There coexist serenity and joy and bustle on the streets until late at night, since most of processions take place during the afternoon and late into the night. The downtown bars are filled with people, both locals and tourists, as during these days Malaga receives a large influx of visitors. Undoubtedly, it is worth getting immersed at least once in this experience. We recommend booking your hotel in advance, get a good map of the processions and equip yourself with comfortable shoes!

- Cinema Cocina at Plaza de la Marina from 14 to 16 in abril.

- Foodtrucks, from Thursday 19 to sunday 22 in April, there will be iberoamerican food from 12.30 am to 11:00 pm, until midnight the Friday 20th and Saturday 21st.

- 23rd in April is Saint George, with processions in some municipalities.

- May Crosses, around May 1. A traditional festival in which the crosses are decorated with great care, with flowers, mantles and shells. The exact date varies by neighborhood. The May Crosses have originally have been celebrated "big style" in Granada, where the city council recently has banned the event qualified as excessive. However, it seems that this tradition begins to settle Malaga, which last year hosted the Cruces de Mayo in the North Park with Paella, wine and live music.

- Corpus Christi, June 18. During this day are held religious processions in the city centre.

- Feast of San Juan, June 23/24. As in all municipalities of the Costa del Sol, friends and families gather on the beach and celebrate the beginning of summer until late at night; huge bonfires are lit to burn the rag dolls, called "Juas", a pagan celebration which comes from the original rituals in Europe to our days.

- The Feast of the Virgen del Carmen is celebrated on July 16 in all Costa del Sol municipalities. The sea procession takes place in honor of the patron saint of fishermen, which beautifully adorned with flowers is carried through the streets of the town and then taken out into the sea in a boat, accompanied by a large number of boats.

- The Malaga Fair in the second half of August is the most popular traditional festival which is celebrated every year with great enjoyment by thousands of locals and tourists. For a week there is a lively and colorful atmosphere in the city, with a lot of singing and dancing, despite the high temperatures at this time of the year. An important part of the Fair takes place at the fairgrounds with horsemen, beautifully decorated carts and a large number of booths to eat drink and dance until dawn.

- Our Lady of Victory, September 8. On this day is celebrated the patron saint of Malaga with a procession through the main streets of downtown, wreaths and singing and dancing groups.

Columbus day in October 12 is a national holiday in Spain and most commerces are closed. On this day also known as 'día del Pilar', 'dia de la hispanidad (Hispanic Heritage Day)' or 'día del descubrimiento' it is symbolized the union between Spanish and Spanish-speaking Latin America.
Latin American communities bring their culture, tradition, gastronomy and handcraft products to the visitors. It is a festivity for everyone, there are events and activities for children like games, contests and parades.
Other activities are Latin dances lessons and theatre performances .
All activities above have been celebrated every year in Huelin Park from 12 am.

- The celebration of Halloween in Malaga is gaining more followers every year, although with slight “Mediterranean variations" of the original model. The locals of Malaga are inherently predisposed to have fun and the most terrifying night of the year on the Costa del Sol takes on a carnival-colored touch; in recent years has become established the so-called "Zombie Walk" with a large number of undead taking the downtown streets in a march starting at the Plaza de la Constitution; fun is guaranteed!

- Until the 6th in January you will be able to visit one of the most brighting lighting in Europe, Christmas lights in Malaga in 2024 is a must if you are in the city during Christmas this year, turning on of the lighting will be the 24th in November.

- Christmas in Malaga: The capital of the Costa del Sol is outstanding each year from early December for its spectacular Christmas decorations and lighting in the main streets and squares. Throughout this month there are numerous activities such as cribs, ice skating rink and concerts inviting for a walk through the bustling streets of the city. In December there are many days with a splendid sun which raises the thermometer considerably during the day and we can see both people walking around with scarves or short sleeves and some even dare sunbathing on the beaches of the city.

- The Holy Innocents and Verdiales Fair, December 28. During this day people tease each other (as in many other countries on April 1). But in Malaga is celebrated furthermore Verdiales where meet many musical groups from neighboring villages and thousands of locals of Malaga for a day with lots of music, song and dance. Verdiales are a very old peasant musical tradition that dates probably even before Flamenco.