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Cultural activities & events in Malaga

Art & Culture in Malaga

Attend programmed plays and shows at Cervantes Theatre
In the second half of the 19th century, a terrible fire destroyed nearly all of the Teatro de la Libertad, which was previously called Principe Alfonso and which had first been opened to celebrate a royal visit paid by Queen Isabella II to Malaga . After losing this emblematic building to fire, a prominent group of people with strong ties to the city’s artistic and cultural life got together for the purpose of gracing the city with a new home for the performing arts, to be made as a symbol of the city’s economic and cultural growth and for the purpose of satisfying, at the same time, the recreational needs of the upper class.

The project to create Teatro Cervantes, which was drawn up to grace the city of Malaga with a grand theatre, was commissioned to city architect Jeronimo Cuervo, who had previously created significant urban architectural landmarks. Cuervo was aided by the Valencia-born painter living in Malaga , Bernardo Ferrandiz, and the two of them designed the building's decoration jointly. However, due to the haste with which the construction was carried out, they were forced to get help from another painter, the malagueño Muñoz Degrain.

Work on the new theatre took place from April to November 1870. The grand opening took place on 17th December with an interpretation of the William Tell Overture. The local press highlighted the theatre’s capacity (2,300 to 2,400 people), the stage’s exceptional dimensions, as well as its ornamentation, which created a truly suggestive atmosphere in the building's interior. But without a doubt, the building’s most striking feature was its conception of space, in which the architect showed his great stature and training. Shortly after the Spanish Ministry of Culture initiated proceedings to do so, the Teatro Miguel de Cervantes was declared a Historical and Artistic Monument. For more information: http://www.teatrocervantes.com/

Events in Malaga
Malaga celebrates a vast array of festivals and events throughout the year, many of which are linked to religion. Some of these include The Three Kings, May Crosses, and Easter Week, among many more. The February Carnivals are fun to see and Malaga’s most important event, the Fair of Malaga is a must for visitors. Other winter festivities and events include music and sports events and activities, which are always great activities to add on to any itinerary.

The Three Kings (January 5): Traditionally, the three wise men visit children on this evening to bring them their presents. The Procession is made up of three carriages which parades around town with three ‘kings’ riding inside, distributing sweets out to the children in the crowds.

Eve of San Juan (June 13): This celebration is made up of various performances at Parque del Oeste and different beaches around the city to commemorate summer solstice on San Juan’s eve. This involves orchestral performances and fireworks.

Fiestas de Carnaval (Mid February): This carnival is celebrated before the 40 days of Lent and usually involves elaborate costumes, a parade and dance, and a “Carnival Queen” contest. Some of the activities that are involved in this carnival include: Carnival Singing Contests, Street Parade, Piñata Sunday and Children’s Fancy Dress Contest among others.

Malagueñas Contest (April and July): Malaga’s City Council, along with Federación Malagueña de Peñas, organize a festival at Parque del Oeste traditionally referred to as Certamen de Malagueñas de Fiesta "Memorial José María Alonso". This is a contest to encourage people to sing and dance Malagan folk music. A competition is held among those who compose and then perform their compositions, either as solo performances or in a group or choir performance.

Easter Week (Semana Santa) in Malaga: Easter is an important time for Catholics and in Malaga, as in the rest of Spain, a lot of time and effort goes to preparation for this week. Huge processions fill the city’s historical artistic center and as the processions march through the city, art work such as paintings and sculptures representing Christ are carried on decorated thrones. These processions are held both during the day and at night.

Feria de Málaga (Malaga Fair -Mid August): This is definitely not to be missed!! One of southern Europe’s longest summer fairs, this 10-day celebration begins when shops close up and everybody heads to see the firework displays that kick start the festival at the opening ceremony. During the day, parades are held all over the city streets and one that is especially pretty to see is the Arabian horses pulling along brightly colored carriages.

Singing, acting and dancing performances are held constantly, as well as other events listed on the celebration program. This festival has many modern aspects to it, but also retains traditional celebrations such as bullfighting and gipsy flamenco music and dancing.

Spanish Film Festival
Enjoy the annual festival : http://www.festivaldemalaga.com

Bullring
Situated in the residential area of the Malagueta and very near downtown, this ring is not just for bullfights, it also holds music concerts and many famous artists have performed here.

Home of Picasso & Museum with exhibits
The home where the painter was born, is now a museum and is located in the plaza. On show are prints and pottery made by this city's most famous artist, on the ground floor there is a temporary exhibition of the works of other artists. For more info: http://www.museopicassomalaga.org/

Cathedral & Cathedral Museum
It is called the Cathedral of the Incarnation, built in 1528, in the gothic style above a former Muslim mosque. Contains almost all the architectural styles from the 16th to the 18th century since a lot of different architects participated in it's construction.

Flamenco shows
Learn to dance the famous and classical Flamenco (´Sevillanas´) and Salsa directly in our school or visit a Flamenco show in one of the many bars around old Malaga.

Local cuisine
Fried fish is the favorite dish: fresh anchovies, red mullet, whiting, baby squid ... In addition there is a great variety of gazpachos (the typical cold vegetable soup) like ajoblanco, made with almonds and grapes. Also native to this area are angler fish soup and vegetable soup.

A typical dish on the beaches is sardines grilled on spits of bamboo over charcoal. Sea bass and gilthead are prepared with salt; angler fish, with garlic. Spanish food can be explored in a Paella cooking lesson with our in-house cook ´Luis´ or on our ´Tapas-Tour´ in Málaga city

Holy week festival
Enjoy the hustle and bustle and laughter of the August Fair, or witness the solemn and impressive Malaga Holy Week processions. More info: http://www.agrupaciondecofradias.es/

Cineclub
See a film on one of the 50 screens in the city, including with original soundtrack at Cineclub, or at outdoor cinemas during the summer.