Malaga Festivals

The procession takes place on the 5th and 6th of January and is a Spanish festivity of the Epiphany. The parade starts with the arrival of the three kings, Gaspar, Melchior and Baltasar. A small child reads a letter addressing the kings, requesting them to give gifts to the children in Malaga. The parade takes place in the City Centre and passes through the Paseo del Parque to the Ayuntamiento. After the procession, entertaining programs like live music, singing and dancing start till late evening.

Carnival in Malaga is one of the biggest events in Spain thanks to its colourful and multicultural ethnicity. The carnival takes place before the solemn period of Lent and gives people a good reason to enjoy it. Costumed dancers, performers, and various characters in masks dominate the scene, and the most awaited performance of these is the 'murga' or the street bands. The procession travels from the Esperanza Bridge to La Malagueta beach, and here the customary "burial of the sardine" takes place, which signifies the end of the carnival.

Malaga's legendary Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebration is acknowledged worldwide as the " Fiestas of International Tourist Interest of Spain". In Malaga, the celebrations are noteworthy as 42 brotherhoods (cofradía) make 45 parades through the streets showing wooden sculptures and images of the Virgin Mary. Hooded and robed figures dominate the demonstration celebrating art, pageantry, and devotion. Thousands of visitors from all around the world come to witness the spectacular event.

The All Saints' Day (dia de todos los santos) is celebrated across Spain on 1st November and is a National holiday in the country. The day is celebrated to remember the departed friends and relatives and pay respects to them. People visit the cemeteries and offer flowers, especially chrysanthemums, on the grave of their deceased relatives. Prayers are offered in the churches.
Halloween - on 31st October, Halloween is celebrated in Spain with pumpkin carving, parties with themed food and children dressing up in ghoulish costumes.

The night of San Juan is the most surreal night of the year. The celebration is held on the beaches with bonfires, food and drinks. People spend the day building bonfires. It is believed that if people jump over a bonfire three times, they will be purified and cleansed.

The Feria de Agosto (August Fair) or Feria de Malaga (Malaga Fair) is an exciting event that lasts nine days in the month of August. During the fair, people gather together on the streets decorated with paper lanterns and flowers. Women wear traditional flamenco dresses and dance to the tunes of traditional Andalucian music. Bullfighting is organised in the afternoon at La Malagueta.

The Andalucia Day is celebrated to mark the occasion that made Andalusia an autonomous society of Spain. The day is notable for its 1980 referendum on the Statute of Autonomy of Andalusia, and is celebrated on 28th February. People in Andalucia adorn their terraces with the flag of Andalusia, and in many places cultural competitions are held. The day is declared as a public holiday and in many places, traditional 'Andalusian breakfast' is served consisting of a toast with a layer of olive oil and orange juice.