Torremolinos Fair is one of the most famous and popular celebrations in the Costa del Sol, held as the perfect end to the summer towards the end of September. This festival is established as the Andalusia’s most important urban pilgrimage and each year it attracts thousands of visitors that want to enjoy its great atmosphere, with streets bursting with people, polka dot outfits and music.
Without a doubt, Torremolinos Fair is the perfect plan for a trip away with friends where you can enjoy its tents, events and free concerts, in addition to the typical gastronomy of the area which has a lot to offer visitors. For groups, the best option for moving around is to hire a 7-seater car in Malaga or at the airport so you can reach Torremolinos in just a few minutes and get the party started.
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What does Torremolinos fair involve?
Torremolinos Fair can be divided into two important highlights. The first is the Pilgrimage (Romería) of San Miguel, which marks the opening of this celebration and takes place on the Sunday before the fair. The Fair starts soon afterwards, offering celebrations and entertainment for all tastes lasting almost two weeks.
The Pilgrimage (Romería) of San Miguel, the prelude to the Fair
Torremolinos Fair, also known as the Fair of San Miguel (Feria de San Miguel), is the town’s main festival. However, celebrations start on the Sunday before the festivity of the Archangel St. Michael with an urban pilgrimage which consists of participants going on a pilgrimage to the hermitage which is home to the image of the saint in Los Pinares de los Manantiales. These festivals are considered to be of National Tourist Interest.
This pilgrimage, which brings together more than 200,000 people each year, stands out for its fascinating procession of carts pulled by donkeys and embellished with flowers and typical decorations, all livened up with music. During the journey, which starts in the heart of Torremolinos, participants dress in typical costumes, singing and dancing, and when they reach the hermitage a floral offering is made to the saint.
Torremolinos Fair
Once the Pilgrimage has been held, the Fair starts, which lasts for approximately two weeks. Just like the area’s other popular fairs, like the famous Malaga Fair or the Marbella Fair, this celebration offers the public two different settings, with a day fair which takes place in the heart of the town and an evening fair which take place at a fair ground on the outskirts.
The activities of the day fair take place around the Plaza de la Nogalera square, where concerts and the main activities of this fair are held. Children will also be able to find activities for them in Plaza de Andalucia.
The evening fair is spread between tents (casetas), organised by local bars, with music, food and performances, and municipal tents, such as the children’s tent, the tent for the elderly and the municipal tent where they hold activities tailored to all audiences. In addition, in the Fair Ground, located on Explanada de San Miguel between the Bull Ring and the Football Ground, there are also fair attractions that the whole family will love.
Dates of the San Miguel fair 2022
Each year, Torremolinos Fair usually coincides with the celebration of St Michael, or San Miguel, the patron saint honoured by this celebration. The dates are usually around 29th September. In 2022, when the Fair returns to normality after the pandemic, celebrations will take place from Sunday 25th September until Sunday 3rd October, with the day of San Miguel starting on the previous Sunday with its traditional pilgrimage.
The big day for Torremolinos Fair 2022 is 29th September, starting the activities at midday with the mass of San Miguel, the floral offering continues in a procession through the town’s main streets.
Main activities of the Torremolinos Fair
As with each year, Torremolinos Town Council prepare an extensive programme for the fair days which combines tradition, music, dance, gastronomy and activities aimed at all audiences. Highlights among them include the musical performances from midday until the evening, with flamenco and orchestras which liven up the day fair and concerts with nationally famous artists during the evening which take place in the Príncipe de Asturias Auditorium and are free until the venue reaches capacity.
During the day, people taking part in the fair will be in the centre and find all types of tents and stages with live music in the different squares located around La Nogalera. In these tents with a festive atmosphere, many of them run by restaurants in Torremolinos, you will be able to try some of the area’s most typical local products, including good quality ham and fine wine, all at very affordable prices.
At nightfall, the celebration moves to the Fair Ground, where families will find many activities to do with children, from attractions to themed workshops for all ages. Young people will find more atmospheric tents managed by the bars, pubs and clubs of Torremolinos, where they will find a party atmosphere and entertainment with popular music.
How to travel between the Torremolinos Fair venues?
At nightfall, people start to move from the day fair venue and head towards the evening fair venue. To reach the Fair Ground (Recinto Ferial), visitors will be able to take a walk along what is known as “Cuesta de la Bomba”, since the grounds are just a 20 minutes walk away.
For those who don’t want to walk, they will be able to get there in their own car, finding parking in the surrounding area. This map shows you the areas in which the day and evening fair takes place.
