Torremolinos Fair: the San Miguel Fair

The Torremolinos Fair, also known as San Miguel Fair, is the city’s biggest festival in honour of its patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel. It is always held 25 to 29 September, with the 29th —the saint’s feast day— as the main day of the celebrations, when Mass is held and the patron saint’s procession winds its way through the town’s streets.

Unlike other Andalusian fairs, its dates do not change: they are the same every year. And it is preceded by the Pilgrimage of San Miguel, which takes place on the Sunday before the fair begins and is one of the most important pilgrimages in Andalusia. In 2026, therefore, the pilgrimage is the Sunday 20 September and the fair runs from Friday 25th to Tuesday 29th.

During this time, the religious celebrations in honour of Saint Michael take place alongside the daytime fair in the town centre and the night-time fair at the fairground, bringing together tradition and the festive atmosphere of the Costa del Sol.

When is the Torremolinos Fair?

The Torremolinos Fair takes place 25 to 29 September, fixed dates that do not change from one year to the next. The 29 September It is the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel, the city’s patron saint, and the main day of the festivities: on that day, a Mass is held in his honour, followed by the saint’s procession.

The fair kicks off on the 25th with the proclamation, which marks the start of the activities at the exhibition grounds and in the town centre. To round things off, on the final day there is the Children’s Day, when the attractions at the venue are available at a discount.

At 2026 those dates fall on Friday 25 to Tuesday 29 September. It is advisable to check the official programme issued by Torremolinos Town Council each season, as the specific timings and the line-up of concerts are published a few weeks in advance.

When is the San Miguel Pilgrimage?

The Pilgrimage of San Miguel is held on the Sunday before the fair begins, which in 2026 amounts to Sunday 20 September. It is the event that kicks off the festivities and, for many local residents, the most cherished part of the whole programme.

Thousands of pilgrims make the pilgrimage on foot or by decorated carts drawn by oxen and horses from the centre of Torremolinos to the Chapel of San Miguel, in Los Pinares de los Manantiales. Along the way, wine, ham and appetisers are shared to the sound of clapping, singing and Andalusian dancing, with many participants dressed in traditional costume.

A pilgrims’ Mass is held at the chapel, with the blessing of the pilgrims and the procession of the patron saint early in the morning. During the day, the traditional Horse-drawn Cart and Tractor Competition, with prizes for the best-decorated and the most cheerful and atmospheric, which are presented a few days later at one of the marquees on the site.

If you want to watch it, the best thing to do is to line the route in the morning, when the procession sets off from the town centre.

What to see and do at the Torremolinos Fair

The fair has two stages and two distinct timetables, and it’s worth bearing this in mind so you don’t end up in the wrong area.

The Day Fair, in the town centre

The Day Fair takes place at the historical centre, not at the exhibition centre. The busiest areas are the La Nogalera Squarethe San Miguel Street and the Costa del Sol Square, where music, dancing, bars and a friendly atmosphere amongst locals and visitors come together. It is the fair’s most family-friendly and accessible side.

The Night Fair, at the exhibition grounds

As evening falls, the party moves to the exhibition centre, with marquees, fairground rides, food stalls and concerts lasting until the early hours. The site features marquees designed to cater for all audiences, including the children's municipal standthe fitness booththe YOUTH STAND and the municipal stand for the elderly.

The musical epicentre is the Príncipe de Asturias Municipal Auditorium, which organises free concerts every year featuring a variety of artists and musical styles. The line-up is announced in the weeks leading up to the event, so it’s a good idea to check the Town Council’s official website before planning your visit.

Other highlights from the programme

• The Mass and the procession of St Michael on the 29th, the main religious ceremony of the festivities.
• The proclamation opening day, on the 25th.
• The flamenco and sevillanas, which feature in much of the programme of events in the squares.
• The seasonal cuisine, with fish, tapas and traditional sweets.
• The Children’s Day, on the last day, with attractions at reduced prices.

It’s a great way to combine Andalusian tradition with a beach holiday, as Torremolinos continues to welcome tourists as usual during the festivities, and the weather is usually on your side in September.

How to get to the Torremolinos Fair

Torremolinos is very well connected within the Costa del Sol, making it easy to get to the fair from Málaga city and other parts of the coast. And there is one detail that makes it particularly convenient: the local train station is right on Plaza de la Nogalera itself – in other words, right at the heart of the daytime fair.

• Commuter train (line C-1): It connects the centre of Málaga and the airport with Torremolinos in just a few minutes, and the station is in Plaza de la Nogalera. It’s the best option, especially for the return journey at night.
• Bus: intercity routes linking the towns on the Costa del Sol with Torremolinos.
• Car: Access is via the A-7 and the MA-21, although parking near the exhibition centre is limited during the fair.
• Taxi, private hire vehicle or private transfers: the alternative if you’re coming from another part of the coast.

If you’re staying elsewhere on the Costa del Sol, many day trips use Torremolinos as their pick-up point, so it’s easy to fit in a visit to the town whilst the festivities are on.

What to see in Torremolinos during your visit

If you’re making the most of the fair to explore the city, it’s well worth setting aside some time to stroll through the old town and Calle San Miguel, head down to the old fishing district of La Carihuela, and enjoy the seafront promenade and the beaches. To plan the rest of your stay, you can check out our guide on What to see in Torremolinos.

And if you’re interested in the major fairs in the province, there’s also the Malaga Fair in August, and very close by the white village of Mijas for a half-day getaway.

Day trips from Málaga and the Costa del Sol

These are the day trips that depart from Málaga and the Costa del Sol, with pick-ups at various points along the coast:

Frequently Asked Questions about the Torremolinos Fair

When is the Torremolinos Fair?

The Torremolinos Fair is always held from 25 to 29 September, fixed dates that do not change from one year to the next. 29 September, the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel, the town’s patron saint, is the main day of the festival, featuring a mass and a procession in honour of the saint. In 2026, the fair will run from Friday 25 to Tuesday 29 September.

When is the San Miguel Pilgrimage in Torremolinos?

The San Miguel Pilgrimage is held on the Sunday before the start of the fair, which in 2026 falls on Sunday 20 September. Thousands of pilgrims make the journey on foot or in carts pulled by oxen and horses to the Hermitage of San Miguel, in Los Pinares de los Manantiales, and it is one of the most important pilgrimages in Andalusia.

What is celebrated in Torremolinos on St Michael’s Day?

On 29 September, the feast day of St Michael the Archangel, Torremolinos honours its patron saint with a solemn mass and a procession carrying the saint’s statue through the town’s streets. It is the highlight of the fair and the event that gives rise to and lends its name to the festivities.

Where is the daytime fair and where is the evening fair?

The daytime fair takes place in the historic centre, with Plaza de la Nogalera, Calle San Miguel and Plaza Costa del Sol being the busiest areas. The night-time fair moves to the fairground, where the marquees, fairground rides and concerts at the Príncipe de Asturias Municipal Auditorium are held.

How much does it cost to get into the Torremolinos Fair?

Entry to the fair is free of charge, both in the town centre and at the fairground, and the concerts at the Municipal Auditorium are usually free as well. You only pay for what you buy at the stalls and on the fairground rides, which are offered at a discount on the last day of the fair to mark Children’s Day.