It’s September and in the Costa del Sol this means only one thing: food fairs and festivals. These events are the perfect opportunity to set off on an exploration of the small, charming villages of the inland to experience local customs and meet the local community as they come together around traditional cuisine and incredible seasonal products. If you’re planning a getaway to the Costa del Sol, keep reading for an overview of some of the food fairs and festivals taking place in the province of Malaga this September. Get out your diary.
Fiesta del Boquerón Victoriano - Rincón de la Victoria (5 to 10 September)
One of the most popular food festivals in the province of Malaga, the event has been held in Rincón de la Victoria since 2003 and in Malaga city since 2017. In both destinations, restaurants prepare anchovies (boquerones in Spanish) from Rincón de la Victoria in all sorts of different ways. Over the five days of the festivities, over 1,000kg of anchovies will be served alongside live cooking shows, talks, music performances and children’s activities.
Source: Diputación de Málaga
Fiesta de Viñeros - Moclinejo (10 September)
In Moclinejo, a municipality in La Axarquía region, the grape harvest has fueled the local economy for centuries alongside the near-artisanal production of olive oil. Held every September, Fiesta de Viñeros is the most important day of the year in Moclinejo. You can expect a parade and a performance by the local choirs followed by the traditional stomping of the grapes accompanied by verdiales music and a huge community paella and roscos de vino (round biscuits made with wine). The village is decorated for the occasion and the 'Descubrir viñeros' exhibition, comprising the event posters of previous editions, is set up on the streets.
Feria de la Vendimia - Mollina (8 to 10 September)
The municipality of Mollina celebrates the end of the grape harvest every year with Feria de la Vendimia. As part of the festival, there is a tasting of Malaga and Sierras de Malaga Designation of Origin Wines, which includes Tierra de Mollina vintages. As part of the festival, you can expect an opening event, group cycle ride, a market selling local artisanal products, a belt race, the day fair and street parties at night.
Source: Diputación de Málaga
Fiesta de la Cabra Malagueña – Casabermeja (16 and 17 September)
On the 16 and 17 September, the municipality of Casabermeja hosts Fiesta de la Cabra Malagueña, a family-friendly festival that revolves around the malagueña goat. Goat products will be at the centre of the festivities – tastings, a cheese market, local products – alongside activities that will keep the whole family happy, namely children’s events, guided tours of the local sights, exhibitions, painting and music competitions, and more. In a number of local restaurants, you will also have the opportunity to sample dishes made from chivo lechal (kid that has exclusively been fed their mother’s milk) and goat cheeses.
Día de la Pasa – El Borge (17 September)
El Borge, a municipality with just over 1,000 inhabitants in La Axarquía, is known for being the biggest producer of raisin grapes in Spain. Fittingly, the village hosts Día de la Pasa, the Day of the Raisin, which features demonstrations of all the tasks connected to the production of the product. Throughout the day, beyond the raisins, you’ll have the opportunity to sample gazpacho, muscatel wine and traditional sausages all to the sound of verdiales and coros rocieros.
Source: Málaga Hoy
Día de la Almendra - Almogía (24 September)
Every last Sunday of September, Almogía holds Día de la Almendra, an event that shines the spotlight on the traditions surrounding the harvest and processing of almonds. The programme includes an exhibition of products made by local companies with tastings of chanfaina, cheese, almendrado, desserts and local wines. Verdiales music, dramatizations of artisanal trades like talabartero and pleita, and all the processes involved in almond production complete the day’s events.
Feria del Queso Artesano – Teba (30 September to 1 October)
Every year, Teba, in the region of Guadalteba, hosts one of the biggest cheese fairs in Spain. The event, which is done up to look like a traditional cheese market, sees around 40 artisanal cheese makers from around Spain – and particularly Andalusia – come together. One of the cheese makers will be awarded one of the most prestigious prizes in the sector, the Premio Guadalteba. There is also a competition for the best dessert made using cheese and a wide range of fun and cultural activities on offer.
Source: Feria del Queso Teba
The food festivals taking place in the province of Malaga in September are more than an opportunity to delight your palate: they offer you the opportunity to travel through the history and passion of a region where gastronomy is a way to connect with the local people and land. Each mouthful is a story that speaks of Malaga’s relationship with the local scenery. If you’re planning a getaway in September, make sure you put the Costa del Sol on your to-visit list.
