In short: Torremolinos has festivals all year round. The most important are the Romería and Feria de San Miguel, in late September; the Virgen del Carmen, on 16 July in La Carihuela; Pride, between late May and early June; and the Noche de San Juan, on 23 June. Add to these the Carnival, Easter Week, the May Crosses, Verdiales Day and Christmas. Here is the full calendar with what you should not miss.
If there is something that defines Torremolinos, besides its beaches, it is its festive character.
It is an open, diverse town with lots of street life, combining festivals of deep religious and seafaring tradition with modern celebrations that attract visitors from all over the world.
In this guide we go through the Torremolinos festival calendar month by month, with 2026 reference dates, what is celebrated at each one and tips to enjoy them.
We write it from Caliu, in Montemar, at the western end of La Carihuela. We experience some of the town’s most beautiful festivals up close, such as the Virgen del Carmen or the Noche de San Juan, which have their heart in our neighbourhood.
Bear in mind that exact dates change every year. Always check the Town Hall’s official programme before planning your visit.
Torremolinos festival calendar
| Festival | Usual date | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Three Kings Parade | 5 January | Centre and neighbourhoods |
| Carnival | February or March | Centre and La Carihuela |
| Easter Week | March or April | Centre |
| Verdiales Day | April | San Miguel hermitage, Los Manantiales |
| May Crosses | Early May | Neighbourhoods |
| Pride | Late May to early June | Centre and promenade |
| Noche de San Juan | 23 June | Beaches, especially La Carihuela |
| Virgen del Carmen | 16 July | La Carihuela |
| Romería de San Miguel | A Sunday in late September | From the centre to Los Pinares |
| Feria de San Miguel | Late September, until the 29th | Centre and fairground |
| Christmas | December and January | The whole town |
January: the Three Kings Parade
The festive year starts on the evening of 5 January with the Three Kings Parade. The floats tour the streets handing out sweets and excitement to young and old.
It is a very family-oriented festival, with lots of atmosphere in the centre and the neighbourhoods. The next day, 6 January, it is traditional to eat roscón de Reyes, the Kings’ cake, with the family.
February or March: Carnival
The Torremolinos Carnival is one of the big winter events on the western Costa del Sol. In 2026 it was held from 27 February to 1 March.
Its structure is classic: an opening speech in Plaza Costa del Sol, a big parade through the centre and a final day in La Carihuela.
On the Sunday, the carnival moves to the fishing quarter, with a parade along the promenade to Plaza del Remo and the traditional Burial of the Sardine on the beach.
Tip: Carnival Sunday is a perfect day to visit La Carihuela. There is lots of atmosphere, costumes everywhere and a very fun farewell to winter.
Easter Week
Although it does not have the scale of Easter Week in Málaga city, Torremolinos holds its own processions, with local brotherhoods parading through the streets of the centre.
It is a good chance to experience Andalusian tradition without the crowds of the capital. Spring also usually brings very good weather, and it is one of the busiest times before summer.
If you visit the area at Easter, book restaurants in advance.
April: Verdiales Day
Verdiales are one of the oldest forms of folklore in Málaga province. They are performed by groups called pandas, combining violin, guitar, tambourine and cymbals, with very distinctive dancing and costumes.
Torremolinos celebrates its Verdiales Day next to the San Miguel hermitage, in the Los Manantiales pine woods. In 2026 it took place on 11 April.
It is a very authentic gathering, far from beach tourism, ideal for getting to know Málaga’s popular culture.
May: the May Crosses
In early May, various Torremolinos neighbourhoods and associations set up crosses decorated with flowers, accompanied by music, food and drink.
It is a simple, cheerful neighbourhood festival marking the arrival of full spring.
Late May and June: Torremolinos Pride
Torremolinos is one of Europe’s leading LGBTQ+ destinations, and its Pride is one of the biggest events of the year in town.
In 2026 it was held from 26 May to 6 June, with concerts, parties, cultural activities and a big parade through the streets.
During those days, hotel occupancy soars and the atmosphere in the centre is spectacular. If you plan to visit Torremolinos on those dates, book accommodation and restaurants well in advance.
Torremolinos’ history as an open and diverse place goes back a long way, to the sixties, when the town became a symbol of freedom in the Spain of the time.
23 June: the Noche de San Juan
The Noche de San Juan officially marks the arrival of summer. It is one of the most magical nights of the year all along the Málaga coast.
In Torremolinos, the celebration is centred on La Carihuela, where the Brotherhood of El Carmen has organised it for years.
The tradition includes bonfires on the beach, the burning of júas, figures representing the bad things of the year, and a midnight swim for good luck. Many families spend the night on the beach with food and drink.
Tip: if you want to experience the Noche de San Juan, have an early dinner and head down to the beach from 11 pm. The atmosphere in La Carihuela is unforgettable.
16 July: the Virgen del Carmen
It is probably the most moving festival in Torremolinos and one of the most special times to visit La Carihuela.
The Virgen del Carmen is the patron saint of sailors. Every 16 July, her statue leaves her church in La Carihuela, tours the streets of the neighbourhood and is taken on board for a maritime procession off the coast, accompanied by dozens of boats.
The festival is recognised as a Festival of Tourist Singularity, and the Virgen del Carmen has been honorary mayor of Torremolinos since 1993.
Around the big day the Feria del Carmen takes place, with a sailors’ mass, concerts, activities in the neighbourhood and lots of atmosphere on the promenade.
Tips for the Virgen del Carmen
- Arrive early: the La Carihuela promenade fills up hours before the procession.
- Find a good spot on the shore: the moment the Virgin is taken on board is the most moving.
- Book dinner days ahead: every restaurant in the neighbourhood is full.
- Use the train: traffic and parking become very difficult.
We tell you more about the neighbourhood in our guide to La Carihuela beach.
Summer: music, cinema and neighbourhood festivals
Between July and August, Torremolinos runs a busy cultural and leisure calendar: open-air concerts, summer cinema, shows in the squares and festivals in different neighbourhoods.
Many of these events are free and take place in spaces such as La Batería Park, the squares in the centre or the promenade.
We recommend checking the Town Hall’s cultural calendar during your stay. And for more ideas, see our guide to things to do in Torremolinos.
September: Romería and Feria de San Miguel
San Miguel Arcángel is the patron saint of Torremolinos, and his feast day, 29 September, is the grand finale of the town’s festive calendar.
The Romería de San Miguel
It is one of the largest pilgrimages in Andalusia and is declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
It is held on a Sunday in late September, a few days before the fair. In 2026 it took place on 20 September.
Thousands of pilgrims, decorated carts, riders and people dressed in flamenco costume accompany the saint from the centre to the San Miguel hermitage, in the Los Manantiales pine woods, where the day is spent with music, dancing and food.
The Feria de San Miguel
It is the biggest festival of the year in Torremolinos. In 2026 it was held from 25 to 29 September, with a daytime fair in the squares of the centre and a night fair at the fairground.
There are marquees, rides, concerts and performances. In 2026, the Málaga singer-songwriter El Kanka headlined with a concert on the 29th in Plaza Pablo Ruiz Picasso.
On 29 September, the main day, there is a solemn procession of San Miguel through the streets of the centre.
Tip: if you like the Andalusian atmosphere, the daytime fair is the best moment. The squares in the centre fill with music, rebujito and flamenco dresses.
Christmas
In December, Torremolinos is dressed in lights. The Christmas lights, markets, concerts and children’s activities fill the centre and the neighbourhoods.
The mild Costa del Sol climate lets you enjoy Christmas outdoors, with walks by the sea and terraces open even in midwinter.
New Year’s Eve is celebrated with the chimes in the main squares, and many families take the chance to eat out.
The food of the festivals
Each festival has its flavour, and in Torremolinos the table is part of the celebration.
- Christmas and Kings’ Day: turrón, polvorones, mantecados and the Kings’ cake on 6 January.
- Easter Week: torrijas, pestaños and Lenten stews.
- Noche de San Juan: sardines and moragas on the beach, in groups with your feet in the sand.
- Virgen del Carmen: fried fish, espetos and everything the sea offers in high summer.
- Romería and Feria de San Miguel: Spanish omelette, cured meats, pinchitos, salads and, to drink, rebujito and fino.
If you prefer to celebrate sitting at a table, remember that restaurants fill up on festival nights. Booking is the difference between a good dinner and a night looking for a table.
What to wear at the pilgrimage and the fair
It is not compulsory, but many people take the chance at the Romería and Feria de San Miguel to dress in flamenco or traditional riding costume. You will see polka-dot dresses, shawls, flowers in the hair and Cordoban hats.
If you do not have a costume, no problem: comfortable, cool clothing is enough. For the pilgrimage, footwear matters most, because the route to Los Manantiales is long and partly on dirt tracks.
Do not forget a hat, water and sun protection. In late September it is still hot on the Costa del Sol.
Festivals to enjoy with children
Several Torremolinos festivals are especially family-friendly:
- Three Kings Parade: the big day for little ones.
- Carnival: parades and costumes, with children’s activities.
- San Miguel daytime fair: rides and a festive atmosphere during the day.
- Christmas: lights, markets and activities in the squares.
In 2026, the Feria de San Miguel also included an inclusive area for people with autism spectrum disorder in Plaza de Andalucía, an initiative much appreciated by families.
Nearby festivals that are also worth it
If you are staying in Torremolinos, there are other important festivals in the province very close by:
- Málaga Fair: in August, one of the best-known fairs in Andalusia.
- San Juan Fair in Arroyo de la Miel: in Benalmádena, in late June.
- Benalmádena Pueblo Fair: in mid-August, in honour of the Virgen de la Cruz.
- Málaga Easter Week: one of the most spectacular in Spain.
For ideas in the neighbouring town, see our guide to things to do in Benalmádena Costa.
What is the best time to experience the festivals?
It depends on what you are looking for. If seafaring tradition appeals to you, July is your month: the Virgen del Carmen turns La Carihuela into a unique setting.
If you prefer Andalusian folklore, late September, with the Romería and Feria de San Miguel, when the heat eases and the town has its big week.
For an international atmosphere, music and partying, Pride in late May and early June is unbeatable.
And if you are after something quieter and more family-oriented, Christmas and Carnival have the charm of winter festivals, with fewer tourists and lots of local life.
Tips for visiting Torremolinos during festivals
- Book accommodation in advance: during Pride, the Virgen del Carmen and the Feria de San Miguel occupancy is very high.
- Book restaurants too: on festival nights the best-reputed places fill up.
- Get around by train: the C-1 line stops in Torremolinos and at Montemar Alto.
- Check the official programme: times change every year.
- Respect the traditions: at processions and pilgrimages, follow the organisers’ instructions.
- Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun: especially at the pilgrimage and the summer festivals.
Where to have dinner on festival days
Festival nights are among the busiest of the year for Torremolinos restaurants. If you want a relaxed dinner, the key is to book early and choose the area well.
On the Virgen del Carmen and San Juan, La Carihuela is the centre of everything. Montemar, at its western end, lets you be close to the festival and have dinner a little more calmly.
Caliu is at Av. de España 18. We open for dinner only, from 7 pm to 11:30 pm, with a rating of 4.8 on Google from more than 650 reviews. If you want to eat before heading to the beach or the procession, from 7 pm to 9 pm you have our 28 € daily menu.
You can also see our menu or check how to get here. And to compare options, we have a guide on where to have dinner in Torremolinos.
Frequently asked questions about festivals in Torremolinos
What is the most important festival in Torremolinos?
The Romería and Feria de San Miguel, in late September, in honour of the town’s patron saint.
When is the Virgen del Carmen in Torremolinos?
On 16 July, with a maritime procession in La Carihuela.
When is Torremolinos Pride?
Between late May and early June. In 2026 it ran from 26 May to 6 June.
What happens on the Noche de San Juan?
Bonfires on the beach, burning of the júas and a midnight swim. In Torremolinos, the atmosphere centres on La Carihuela.
Is the Romería de San Miguel of Tourist Interest?
Yes, it is declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
When are the local public holidays in Torremolinos?
Local holidays usually fall on the Virgen del Carmen, 16 July, and San Miguel, 29 September, although it is worth confirming them every year.
Conclusion
Torremolinos has reasons to celebrate all year round. From the winter carnival to the Feria de San Miguel, by way of Pride, San Juan and the Virgen del Carmen, each festival shows a different side of the town.
If you can choose, we recommend experiencing at least one Noche de San Juan or one 16 July in La Carihuela. They are two of the most authentic experiences on the Costa del Sol.
And when you want to sit down for dinner, we are waiting for you in Montemar. Book your table at Caliu.
