Seriously celebrating in the east of Málaga!
Find a Fiesta!
Join in the fun
Celebrating is a serious business on the Costa del Sol, and there are hundreds of celebrations throughout the eastern Málaga region every year, many of which are detailed in our handy ‘fiesta finder’ on the right.
It’s through their fiestas that each village attempts to shine. These joyful celebrations are an assertion of the villages’ cultural and religious past, and whilst the ferias are still predominantly visited by locals, don’t be shy, you’ll be greatly welcomed.
There are fairs to celebrate the mid-summer or the autumn harvest, whose origins date back hundreds of years. Many fiestas also have their origins in religion, honouring the local patron saint of the town, or paying tribute to the saint of farmers or fishermen with some of the most fantastic processions, including one on the sea, where more than a hundred garlanded fishing boats accompanying the Virgen on her short sea voyage!
Dressed to impress
The spectacle really starts when the locals get dressed up to make religious plays or reenactments of events.
Among the standout ferias has to be Cajiz’s ‘El Paso’, where in a huge outdoor setting the village’s residents get dressed up and reenact some of the events of Easter.
Similarly in Almayate, be prepared to travel back 2000 years in time for one of the most anticipated events during the Axarquían Christmas, when everyone from the village comes together to stage a live Nativity scene!
Not forgetting in Alfarnate, when during the Moors and Christians festival in September, the village transports itself back to Medieval times, in memory of the Moors that once lived there.
If you’re not sure where the villages mentioned on this page are, you’ll be able to find them on the map at the bottom of the page.
Festivals - the essence of the Axarquía
Whatever their origins, the ferias and fiestas are indeed spectacular – with street parties, live flamenco music and dancing to the early hours, along with plenty of food and drink, and of course fantastic firework displays!
In contrast, you can also witness a more spiritual event such as the sombre and serious Semana Santa (Easter) procession. Almost every village puts on a moving Semana Santa, but Frigiliana‘s is worthy of special note.
Yet, whether it is a fun fiesta or the spiritual Semana Santa, all of these traditions capture the very essence of Axarquían life and culture. Don’t miss them!
If you’re not sure where the villages mentioned on this page are, you’ll be able to find them on the map at the bottom of the page.
Latest festivals...
San Anton 2019 in Archez
San Anton Fiesta, Árchez February 2019 This Sunday (3rd February) Árchez celebrates one of its most popular fiestas, San Anton – in honour of its Patron Saint. San Antón is also the Patron Saint of animals and many local people go along to the fiesta to get their pets blessed!
February Candelarias 2019
Axarquia’s Candelaria festivals. On Saturday the 2nd of February, many local villages are holding their annual Candelaria festival, a celebration we call Candlemas but is actually pagan in origin. Expect to see many bonfires and candles! (Note that Velez’s is being held a week later on the 9th of February). Alfarnate
San Anton and San Sebastian fiestas
San Anton and San Sebastian festivals. These are two enchanting festivals that a number of villages in the east of Málaga celebrate this weekend. They commemorate important Christian figures that lived some 1700 years ago: The San Anton festivals are in honour of Antonio Abad, protector of domesticated animals, a
Three Kings Parade
Three Kings Parades in the Axarquia 4-6 January 2019. The Three Kings parades celebrates the Dia de Reyes on the 6th of January. Spanish children traditionally get their presents from these Three Wise Men on the 6th January rather than from Santa. Parades are held on the 5th and 6th.
New Year
New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja) celebrations in the Axarquia. There’s nothing like seeing in the new year on your local plaza in Spain. Live music, a cup of champagne and the fun of gulping down 12 grapes at midnight. Most towns do organise something but here’s a list of those who have
Find a Fiesta...
