Carnaval de Málaga

Overview

Carnaval de Málaga is one of Málaga’s biggest cultural moments and a must-experience for families, locals and visitors who love creativity and celebration.

It's a burst of colour, costumes, music and city-wide fun that takes over Málaga every year just before Lent. 

Expect parades, playful costumes, street performances, live shows, and themed competitions — with activities for kids during the day and festive energy at night.

When & where: 7–15 February 2026, centered around Plaza de la Constitución.
Finale: Ends with the Burial of the Anchovy, a symbolic burning on Malagueta Beach.

*Dates for 2026 are confirmed; exact times are pending.

*Please note: February can bring rain, and bad weather may result in changes, postponements, or cancellations.

Saturday 7 February

• 8:00 p.m: Official start of the Málaga Carnival with the grand opening and the selection of the Carnival Gods (God and Goddess), who will officially represent the carnival throughout the week.

Sunday 8 February

• 1:00 p.m: Children’s fancy dress competition – from noon on Plaza de la Constitución. The Prince and Princess of Carnival are crowned.
• 5:30 p.m: Official carnival parade – floats accompanied by lots of people in fancy dress make their way through the historic centre.

The search to find the best group of carnival music players goes on throughout the historic centre.
Concerts take place each evening from 8:00 p.m. onwards on the Plaza de la Constitución, creating a fun atmosphere full of music and dancing.

Thursday 12 February

• 8:00 p.m.: Carnival finale – in Plaza de la Constitución

Friday 13 February

• 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Best Copla and Pasodoble: Plaza de la Constitución hosts a lively competition to crown the top performers in Andalusia.

• 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.: Kids’ painting workshop on Plaza de la Constitución.

• 9:00 p.m.: Drag Queen Contest – expect impossibly high platforms, giant wigs and make-up in spades as Malaga drag queens compete for the crown of Queen of Malaga Carnival. On Plaza de la Constitución.

Saturday 14 February

• 12:00-noon: Kids’ Fancy Dress Competition on Plaza de la Constitución.
• 12:00-noon: Gods’ and Goddess’ Carnival Parade – from Plaza de la Constitución, along Calle Especería, Calle Nueva, Calle Puerta del Mar, Calle Martínez, up Calle Marqués de Larios back to Plaza de la Constitución.
• 8:00 p.m.: Battle of the Flowers – a brightly coloured parade throws confetti and streamers into the crowd before the final shower of thousands of petals. In Calle Larios.

Sunday 15 February

• 12:00-noon: Gran boqueroná. Literally a huge fried anchovy and culinary highlight during Málaga Carnival. Get your free portion of fried anchovies at Plaza de la Constitución.
• 5:00–8:00 p.m.: Burial of the Anchovy: Parade from Plaza de la Constitución to La Malagueta beach with theatrical “mourners” and a giant anchovy, ending in a bonfire. Málaga’s humorous and symbolic way of closing Carnival before Lent.

Price