Carnaval de Málaga, a local's guide
Málaga's Carnaval is a winter party with a sharp tongue. For a few weeks, singing groups in costume write satirical songs about politicians, football, the price of rent and whatever the city has been arguing about all year. Then they take them to the street. It ends on the beach, with the burial of a giant anchovy.
What it is
Carnaval here has two halves.
- The contest. The Concurso Oficial de Agrupaciones is a singing competition between murgas, comparsas, coros and cuartetos. Murgas are the comic ones. Comparsas sing more serious, poetic pieces. Groups come from Málaga and from across Andalucía.
- The street. In the last week and a half, the groups sing on stages in the old town, for free. There are parades, a drag queen gala, a flower battle on Calle Larios and, on the final Sunday, the Entierro del Boquerón.
Cádiz has Spain's most famous carnival and Málaga's shares its song forms. Málaga's is smaller, easier to get around and very much a local party.
Dates for 2027
The official 2027 dates have not been published yet. Carnaval ends the weekend before Ash Wednesday, which in 2027 falls on 10 February. That puts the street carnival from around Saturday 30 January to Sunday 7 February 2027.
The organiser, the Fundación Ciudadana del Carnaval de Málaga, publishes the programme each January: carnavaldemalaga.es.
How the programme runs
This is how the 2026 edition was laid out. Expect the same order in 2027, one week earlier.
| What | Where | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Contest, preliminary rounds | Teatro de la ESAD | 23–30 January |
| Contest, semi-finals | Teatro Cervantes | 1–4 February |
| Contest, grand final | Teatro Cervantes | Friday 6 February, 20:00 |
| Pregón (opening speech), election of Dios Momo and Diosa | Plaza de la Constitución | Saturday 7 February, 20:00 |
| Children's pregón and big Carnaval parade | Plaza de la Constitución | Sunday 8 February, from 12:00 |
| Groups on street stages | Plaza de la Constitución, Calle Larios, Calle Granada | Through the week |
| Gala Drag Queen | Plaza de la Constitución | Friday 13 February, 20:00 |
| Children's costume contest, then Batalla de las Flores | Plaza de la Constitución and Calle Larios | Saturday 14 February, flowers from 20:00 |
| Entierro del Boquerón | Plaza de la Constitución to La Malagueta | Sunday 15 February, from 17:00 |
The Entierro del Boquerón
The last Sunday is the one to see. After the prize-giving in Plaza de la Constitución, a funeral procession carries a giant boquerón (anchovy) to La Malagueta beach, where it is burned. In 2026 the figure was the work of Málaga artist Fernando Wilson. Before it sets off there is the Gran Boqueroná: free paper cones of fried boquerones. In 2025 the burial was called off because of the weather, so check on the day.
La Malagueta is about 35 minutes on foot from our door. See Beaches of Málaga.
Tickets for the Teatro Cervantes
The contest is the heart of the carnival for locals, and tickets go fast.
- Season tickets for the semi-finals and final go on sale in mid-January, then single tickets a few days later. In 2026 there was a limit of six per person.
- 2026 prices: semi-finals 13–20 €, grand final 39–63 €.
- About 170 seats for the final were left for general sale in 2026.
- Buy at the Teatro Cervantes box office or online through the theatre.
- Preliminary rounds at the ESAD are cheaper and easier to get into.
- The whole contest is streamed live on the Fundación's YouTube channel.
Where to stand in the street
- For the pregón, the drag gala and the flower battle, arrive at Plaza de la Constitución early. It fills up. Calle Larios is the overflow.
- For the groups, walk between the stages. The programme lists who sings where and when.
- For the Entierro, watch the procession in the centre, then walk down to La Malagueta for the burning.
From our door, Plaza de la Constitución is a 14-minute walk and Calle Larios 15.
Costumes and kids
Nobody needs a ticket to dress up. The last Saturday is the Sábado del Disfraz, costume Saturday. In 2026 there was a photocall on Calle Larios with prizes for the most original costumes. The Carnaval has a strong children's side: a children's pregón, child Dios Momo and Diosa, a children's costume contest and junior singing groups, the cantera.
Why stay in La Trinidad
- El Perchel, next door, hosts one of the neighbourhood events. In 2026 it was the Potaje Perchelero on 31 January, with carnival groups singing over a pot of stew.
- The centre is loud on the big nights. La Trinidad is a residential barrio, quiet at night and 14 minutes from the Plaza.
- After the Boqueroná, see our food guide for where we eat fried fish the rest of the year.
More guides
- La Trinidad, our neighbourhood
- Getting here from the airport and stations
- Parking in Málaga
- Semana Santa in Málaga
- Feria de Málaga
- Flamenco, verdiales and live culture
- Where to eat like a local
- Beaches of Málaga
- Day trips from Málaga
- Christmas in Málaga
Book your stay
- Book on Airbnb
- Message us on WhatsApp or email yedra20malaga@gmail.com
- Booking.com listing coming soon