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If you're anywhere near Málaga this weekend, you're in for a treat. The 2026 Málaga Fair gets under way tomorrow night, Friday August 14, with a spectacular opening that combines cutting-edge drone technology with a full-scale fireworks and music show, before eight days of celebrations that take over the city until Saturday August 22.

 

At 11.50pm on Friday, two simultaneous light shows launch from the Levante and San Andrés docks, each using 220 drones for a total of 440. Flying at around 100 metres above the ground and never over the crowd, they'll create 14 three-dimensional images visible from up to 500 metres away, lasting ten minutes. The drones can produce up to 16 million different colours, so the effect should be pretty striking.

 

Then, just after midnight, the pyromusical show begins. Run by Pirotecnia Zaragozana from the road leading to the cruise terminal, it uses 5,694 firing units, more than a tonne in weight, and 500 kilos of gunpowder across 20 minutes of fireworks synchronised to music. The soundtrack includes Ronan Keating's Smalltown Boy, Nothing Compares 2 U, and several tracks from Sergio Dalma. If you want a good spot, the beach or the heights of Gibralfaro Castle are both excellent options.

 

Saturday August 15 is when the fair properly begins. At 10.00am the traditional pilgrimage departs from the Ayuntamiento, heading through the city to the Sanctuary of La Victoria, with actress María Barranco carrying the Málaga flag. That evening at 9.30pm, Málaga CF manager Juanfran Funes delivers the opening speech, followed by the illumination of the main fairground entrance at 10.00pm.

 

The fair runs across two areas: the city centre, which this year closes at 6.00pm each day, and the main fairground at Cortijo de Torres, where the party continues well into the early hours. The fairground booths are increasingly well set up for the midday heat, with awnings and humidifiers, and many serve paella and tapas alongside drinks.

 

Around 200 free concerts and artistic performances are scheduled across the fair, with artists including Antonio Carmona, Diana Navarro, Medina Azahara and Paloma San Basilio. There are also nightly free DJ sessions at the Youth Esplanade from 10.00pm to 3.00am. Bullfighting takes place at La Malagueta at 7.00pm on fair days, with a special event on Saturday August 22 marking the ring's 150th anniversary.

 

For families, there's a dedicated children's area at the fairground, and Sunday August 23 is the cheapest day for rides.

 

The full programme is available at the Ayuntamiento's official fair website.

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Málaga