Málaga Carnival 2025

Málaga Carnival 2025 is a week-long festival that ends with a giant boquerone being paraded through the city to La Malaqueta beach.

By Nick Nutter | Updated 1 May 2024 | Málaga | Events | Login to add to YOUR Favourites or Read Later

Malaga Carnival - Image by My Guide Malaga

What is the Málaga Carnival?

Málaga tends to go over the top with every event; Málaga Carnival is no exception. Preparations for the carnival start with the carnival lights, added to the Christmas lights in Calle Larios, a harlequin is put in place under the Marqués de Larios statue and a giant stage is erected in Plaza de la Constitución.

When is the Málaga Carnival 2025?

Málaga Carnival is a vibrant, multicultural festival that marks the period before Lent. Its spontaneous and colourful nature makes it a standout event in the city, celebrated both in the Historic Centre and various neighbourhoods. Usually held in February, Málaga Carnival lasts for about a week, with the party typically beginning on a Sunday and ending on the following Sunday.

The dates for Malaga Carnival 2025 have not been confirmed yet. In 2024, the Málaga Carnival took place from 3 to 11 February 2024.

What to Expect at Málaga Carnival 2025

Málaga Carnival starts with the selection of the god and goddess of the carnival. You can expect children’s parties, music, dancing, street food in abundance, parades, concerts, a ‘Battle of the Flowers’, and, finally, a boquerone fest in Plaza de la Constitución.

The carnival ends with a giant boquerone being paraded through the city to La Malaqueta beach, where it takes centre place on a huge bonfire. a symbolic end of Carnival and the beginning of Lent.

Málaga Carnival Highlights

While the schedule of events can differ from year to year, here's what you can usually expect at Málaga Carnival:

• Week-Long Celebration: The carnival runs from Sunday to Sunday, leading up to Lent, filled with music and events, including the vibrant Grand Parade following the proclamation and election of the Carnival's God and Goddess.
• Musical Group Meetings: The festivities kick off with performances by singers, murgas, troupes, quartets, and choirs at the Cervantes Theatre, featuring groups from across the province and other Andalucian regions.
• Official Group Competition (COAC): This contest is known for its humour, satire, and social commentary, offering a unique perspective on local, provincial, regional, and national happenings. (This event is ticketed so be sure to buy your tickets in advance if you'd like to attend!)
• Gastronomic Traditions: Local dishes like cabbage, casseroles, rice, and stews play a significant role, highlighting the region's culinary culture during the carnival season.
• Battle of Flowers: The city centre comes alive with musical performances and the Battle of Flowers, showering the streets with confetti and paper.
• Burial of Boquerón: A unique tradition, this event features a parade to the Malagueta beaches, culminating in the burning of an effigy laden with current event references, symbolizing the end of the carnival.

Where to Stay in Malaga

Málaga Carnival 2025 is a huge party and a major event in the Malaga calendar. With so many visitors coming to the city for Carnival, it's highly recommended that you book your place to stay early to avoid disappointment!

Here are some hotels to consider:

• Apartamentos Prestige Málaga Suites - These comfortable & modern apartments are great for independent travellers and offer good value for money.
• ICON Malabar - Want a luxurious stay? Check out this gorgeous hotel in the centre of town that promises an unforgettable stay!
• Sol Guadalmar - Relax and unwind at this great beachfront hotel.
• M&D Centro Málaga - Travelling in a group? This one-bedroom apartment is a good option.

For more options, check out our guide on where to stay in Malaga which includes a neighbourhood guide and more hotel recommendations!

Or check out the latest deals in Malaga below.

See the Best of Malaga

While you're in Málaga to experience Carnival, don't forget to check out the city's main attractions. Here are our top recommended activities and tours:

• Complete Walking Tour of Malaga
• Tour of Malaga Cathedral, Roman Theatre, and Alcazaba
• Malaga Tapas Tour
• Guided Tour of Picasso Museum
• Flamenco Show at Flamenco Algeria
• Relax at Malaga's Al-Andalus Hammam (Arab Baths)

More on Malaga

Read our guide to Malaga for more information on how to plan your visit.

Wondering what to see and do on your trip? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Malaga.

For more on Malaga, read our other articles:

• Historical Guide to Malaga
• Where to Stay in Malaga
• Malaga Tapas Tour: Review
• Caminito del Rey Tour from Malaga
• Malaga to Gibraltar Day Tour
• Malaga’s Gilbralfaro and Alcazaba
• Roman Theatre in Malaga
• Malaga Cathedral
• Port of Malaga
• La Concepcion Gardens
• The English Cemetery
• Street Art in Malaga
• Picasso Museum in Malaga
• Museum of Malaga
• Malaga Museum of Automobiles
• Astilleros Nereo in Malaga
• Malaga - Airport Museum
• Glass Museum in Malaga
• Museum of Fashion in Malaga
• Malaga - Guadalhorce Estuary

Recommended Spain Travel Resources

Travelling to/around Spain and need some help? Here are our favourite travel resources.

We usually use Booking.com to look for hotels or apartment rentals. Lots of choice & you can unlock more discounts with their Genius loyalty programme!

To research transportation options around Spain, we like using Omio. It’s an easy way to compare different modes of transport and prices in one place.

Renting a car gives you the ultimate freedom to explore Andalucia at your own pace. Click here to compare car rental prices. (You’ll be surprised at how affordable it is in Spain!)

For last-minute holiday deals, check out Expedia UK.

Looking for things to do? Viator has a huge catalog of activities and tours across many cities in Spain. We also love Get Your Guide!

Guruwalk is our favourite platform to find the best free walking tours in a city.

For money transfers or spending overseas in foreign currency, Wise is our favorite borderless banking service (we love their debit card that's without fees!).

Travel insurance is a must to protect against emergencies and unexpected incidents. Get a quote from SafetyWing here.

For an easy way to stay connected on the road, get an eSim from Airalo. It's affordable and, best of all, you'll be connected the moment you arrive!

Visit the official website of the Málaga Carnival

Note: This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. That means that if you book through our link, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

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More Events in Málaga province

Fiesta de la Vendimia Manilva 2nd and 3rd September 2023

Royal Antequera Fair (21 to 25 August 2024)

Sopa de los Siete Ramales El Burgo February 2024

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