Gastronomic Events in Malaga in September

As you will discover below, there is a large number of Gastronomic Events in Malaga in September, the traditional harvest month.

These traditional gastronomic festivals are an excellent opportunity to discover the inland villages, their customs and people, and the local seasonal produce.

If you are in Malaga and the Costa del Sol in September, immerse yourself in some of these literally tasty experiences.

Gastronomic Events in Malaga in September

Grape Harvest Festival – Manilva

In case you didn´t know, the whole rural area around Estepona was once a very fertile land dedicated to the growth of grapes. In the easternmost municipality of the Costa del Sol, Manilva, this tradition is still alive.

Every year, during the first weekend of September the town celebrates the end of the grape harvest with lot s of activities, music, dancing, the traditional grape treading and free distribution of the first wine.

The day with the most activities will be on Sunday. You will be able to enjoy a daytime fair in Calle Mar, with a parade of horsemen, music and dancing. And at 7 pm at Plaza de la Vendimia will take place the popular grape treading where afterwards you can taste the first wine. The entertainment will continue with a live concert and DJ.

• Where: Plaza de la Vendimia, Manilva
• When: 6th and 7th September
• How to get there

Anchovy Festival – Rincón de la Victoria

This is one of the Star Gastronomic Events in Malaga in September: The festival dedicated to this typical delicacy of Malaga is one of the most popular gastronomic festivals. It takes place in Rincón de la Victoria and attracts every year a large number of visitors.

During five days the attendees can enjoy showcookings, conferences, musical performances, children’s activities and of course lots of fish. The participating restaurants will prepare different dishes based on anchovies, of which more than 1,000 kilograms are distributed.

In addition, this year you can enjoy the “Sabor a Málaga” (Flavour of Malaga) market.  At Plaza Al Ándalus from 12 noon to 11 pm, you can buy the best local products such as breads, cold cuts, wines, potatoes, honeys, olive oils, chocolates, pastries, cheeses or jams, just to name a few.

This video from a previous edition gives you a glimpse of what you can expect.

• Where: Rincón de la Victoria
• When: From 9 to 14 September
• How to get there

Festival Luna Mora – Guaro

Although this is not a typical gastronomic festival, we include the Luna Mora (Moorish Moon) Festival for its uniqueness.

The white village of Guaro, located in the foothills of Sierra de las Nieves, becomes a meeting point for Andalusian music and culture, paying homage to the Christian, Muslim and Sephardic coexistence that existed in the Middle Ages in this village.

The special thing about the event is that it starts place at dusk, when the old part of the town is illuminated exclusively by the light of more than 20,000 candles.

Attendees of this very popular event can enjoy Arabic-Andalusian-Sephardic music, a medieval souk of craftsmen, Moorish pastries and many other delicacies on stalls distributed throughout the streets.

• Where: Guaro
• When: 12th and 13th September
• How to get there

Ajoblanco Festival – Almáchar

Every year on the first Saturday in September, the small village of Almáchar located in the Axarquia region pays homage to an ancient almond-based recipe called Ajoblanco. Ajoblanco is a typical local drink made with breadcrumbs, garlic, and almonds. It’s common to add 2 or 3 muscatel grapes to the glass.

This delicacy of Arabic origin is traditionally served cold in the hot months. During the festival it is distributed free of charge to those attending, along with muscatel grapes, wine and sultanas.

You will be surprised by the extensive programme the village has prepared:

Workshop on preparing ajoblanco in the traditional way (Reserve your spot by calling 952 51 20 02). Free tours to discover Almáchar. Sessions also available in English, with advance registration at 952 51 20 02). Tastings throughout the town: ajoblanco, ajoblanco dough, grapes, muscatel wine, raisins. Exhibition, verdiales, performances, kids’ area, and much more. And starting at 10 pm, Flamenco Night.

As a new feature this year, the free shuttle bus will depart from the Torre del Mar bus station, with a stop in Vélez-Málaga.

• Where: Almáchar
• When: 6 September
• How to get there

Vineyard Festival – Moclinejo

Another municipality where the vineyard tradition is still alive is Moclinejo, a white village located in the Axarquia region.

Attendees can enjoy the traditional ‘pisa de la uva’ (grape treading). During the grape treading, the ancient method of wine extraction is demonstrated, treading the grapes with bare feet, to the rhythm of traditional verdiales music groups.

There will be also plenty of stalls in the streets where you can buy local products. And typical products and Muscat wine will be offered at various points in the town, accompanied by music from local artists.

• Where: Moclinejo
• When: 14th September
• How to get there

Grape Harvest Festival – Mollina

Every year the town of Mollina situated in the Antequera region celebrates the end of the grape harvest with its Grape Harvest Festival.

Attendees can participate in the wine tasting with the Designation of Origin Malaga and Sierras de Malaga. There are also many additional activities such as an urban bike ride, a market of local artisan products, evening verbenas and the popular ribbon race on horseback.

Our recommendation

If you are visiting the town, don’t miss largest hedge labyrinth in Spain: The Laberintus Park Maze Malaga, less than 5 km from Mollina, situated in the middle of olive groves.

The maze was designed by Adrian Fisher stands out for its beautiful geometric shape inspired by classic Islamic designs. The maze offers different levels of difficulty. There are several routes to choose from.

Full information to plan your visit there in our article Laberintus Park 

• When: 12 to 14 september
• Where: Mollina
• How to get there

Olive Festival – Alozaina

This white village located in the foothills of Sierra de las Nieves pays tribute to the beginning of the olive harvest.

The manzanilla aloreña olive from Malaga is grown there, which is the star of the event. And there is no shortage of cold beer, cold meats and cheeses from the village.

• Where: Alozaina
• When: 12 to 15 September
• How to get there

Sultana Festival – La Viñuela

The village of La Viñuela in mid-September pays tribute to the muscatel sultana and Malaga wine.

During this day, which begins with the procession in honor of the Virgin of Angustias, you can enjoy a full culinary, cultural, and craft program for all audiences, with tastings of local wines and sultanas.

There will be also stalls featuring local products and musical performances. In addition, there are demonstrations of the tasks involved in its production, from the harvesting of the grapes, transfer, laying and drying in the raisin vats, to the crushing of the sultanas, sieving, packaging and treading of the muscatel grapes.

• Where: La Viñuela
• When: 12 and 13 September
• How to get there

Sultana Day – El Borge

Another major sultana producer, the village of El Borge, also celebrates its star product, usually on the third Sunday of September.

The event attracts thousands of visitors every year who can enjoy sultanas, gazpacho, muscatel wine, sausages and other typical products of the area. The event will be enlivened by ‘pandas de verdiales’ and ‘rocieros’ choirs.

• • Where: El Borge

• When: 21 September
• How to get there

Almond Day – Almogía

Every last Sunday in September Almogía celebrates Almond Day, where visitors can enjoy tastings of chanfaina (traditional meat stew), cheese, almonds, almond- based desserts and local wines.

There will also be verdiales music and you can learn about the traditions surrounding the cultivation and processing of almonds.

• Where: Almogía
• When: 21 September
• How to get there