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.

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.

Program

Friday, September 4
• 10 pm: Official opening of the festivities featuring the traditional Grape Harvest Flamenco Festival at the Pablo Picasso School.
Saturday, September 5
• 7:30 pm: Holy Mass at the Church of Santa Ana.
• 8:30 pm: Procession of the Virgin, offering of the finest grape clusters, and the Heaviest Grape Cluster Contest on Calle Mar.
• 10:30 pm: Live music, street dances on Calle Mar, and DJ sets at Plaza de la Vendimia.
Sunday, September 6
• 1:00 pm: Opening of the Daytime Fair along Calle Mar, featuring free tastings of local grapes and mosto (freshly pressed grape juice).
• 1:30 pm: Grand parade of horse riders and doma vaquera (traditional Andalusian cowboy-style dressage) exhibition.
• 2:00 pm: Live music performances, rociero choirs, and verdiales troupes.
• 7:00 pm: The festival’s main event: The traditional Grape Stomping ceremony at Plaza de la Vendimia to extract the year’s first mosto.
• 9:30 pm: Continuation of the street dance and festival finale with live music.

• When: 5 & 6 September
• Where: Plaza de la Vendimia, Manilva
• 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.

• When: From 8 to 13 September
• Where: Rincón de la Victoria
• How to get there

Moorish Moon Festival – Guaro

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

Guaro is a beautiful white village of Moorish origin located in the Sierra de las Nieves region of Malaga province. It is notable for its narrow, steep streets, its whitewashed houses adorned with flowers, and its famous Moorish Moon Festival.

This September takes place the 28th edition of the Luna Mora Festival, transporting visitors back to the era of Al-Andalus and its Hispanic, Arab, and Sephardic cultures.

This very popular event features music, an artisan market, street parades, workshops, exhibitions, storytelling, and a wide array of culinary delights – all illuminated by the glow of 25,000 candles.

During the Luna Mora Festival in Guaro, vehicle access to the town’s historic centre is generally closed from 6 pm to 5 am.

You must leave your car in the large temporary parking area set up just outside the town. From there, a shuttle bus takes you directly to the centre. Parking is free. The bus costs around 2 euros, so be sure to bring coins.

Our tips

• Guaro is officially known as one of the main gateways to Sierra de las Nieves National Park. It offers spectacular landscapes filled with pinsapo forests (unique Mediterranean firs) and routes ranging from family-friendly paths to the challenging ascent of Torrecilla Peak.

• Ermita del Santuario de la Cruz del Puerto: A site of great popular devotion located just outside the white village. It is situated in a natural setting offering spectacular views of the surrounding almond and olive groves.
• Where: Guaro
• When: September 11 and 12
• 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:

Program

Throughout the day, you can enjoy:

• Free tastings of ajoblanco, ajoblanco paste, wine, raisins, and Muscat grapes.
• A workshop on how to make ajoblanco.
• Guided tours and free admission to the Raisin Museum.
• Theatrical performances and *Verdiales* street parades.
• Performances by choirs, dance schools, and Verdiales troupes.
• “Windows to Art and Muscat” painting contest exhibition.
• Grand Flamenco Night.
• Charity street party with live music.
• Kids’ zone for the little ones.

A free shuttle bus service is available from the Torre del Mar Bus Station.

• When: 5 September
• Where: Almáchar
• 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.

• When: September 13
• Where: Moclinejo
• 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.

• When: From 11 to 13 September
• Where: Mollina
• How to get there

Our recommendations – Park Maze & Salt water lagoon

Laberintus Park Maze

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 
• How to get there

Lagoon Fuente Laguna de Piedra

When you’re in Mollina, don’t miss a visit to Fuente Laguna de Piedra, a saltwater lagoon home to the largest colony of pink flamingos on the peninsula.

• How to get there

Olive Festival – Alozaina

Alozaina is a whitewashed village of Arab origin, perched on a hillside 386 metres above sea level and surrounded by vast olive groves. It is located next to the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, approximately 52 km from Malaga.

This white village pays tribute to the beginning of the olive harvest. The manzanilla aloreña olive from Malaga (olive with Protected Designation of Origin) 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.

During this event, you can enjoy a public tasting of seasoned Aloreña olives; a traditional breakfast of bread with extra virgin olive oil and freshly seasoned olives; a guided tour of the municipal olive grove; musical performances in the old town (featuring copla, flamenco and rumba); and a raffle for local product baskets, among other activities.

• When: From 6 to 9 September
• Where: Alozaina
• 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.

• When: 12 & 13 September
• Where: La Viñuela
• 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.

• When: 20 September
• Where: El Borge
• 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.

• When: 27 September
• Where: Almogía
• How to get there

A Taste of Cómpeta – Cómpeta

Cómpeta is a small white village located more than 600 metres above sea level in the upper Axarquía region, 52 kilometres from Malaga. In addition to its charm, this village is notable for having a high percentage of foreigners living in the municipality.

This year, the village is hosting its 4th edition of a grand gastronomic festival, celebrating the 50 nationalities that call Cómpeta home. This gastronomic event, which will take place on Saturday, September 26th, starting at 2 pm at Plaza de España, will feature almost 30 stalls serving international and local cuisine.

If you attend this gastronomic festival in Cómpeta’s Plaza de España, here is what you can expect:

• Global Cuisine – International stalls: Nearly 30 stands run by the municipality’s own foreign residents.
• Dishes from five continents: Traditional homemade recipes from over twenty different countries.
• Affordable prices: Tapas and culinary tastings are usually purchased at low prices using a temporary local currency called “Cómpeta cash.”
• Local Food and Flavours – Traditional stalls: The Cómpeta Women’s Association and local groups prepare classic local recipes.
• Cómpeta wine: The region’s star product, especially its famous Moscatel wines (both dry and sweet).
• Atmosphere and Culture – Live music: Rhythms and folklore from various countries transform the town into a multicultural stage.

By the way, the festival stands out as a major charity event, with all proceeds going directly to local NGOs and soup kitchens such as Cáritas.

Our tip – Visit the panoramic viewpoint in Cómpeta

Located just outside the town, the panoramic viewpoint stands out for its striking design featuring organic shapes and colourful mosaics inspired by the work of Antoni Gaudí. It offers views of the Sierra de Tejeda and the valley.

• When: September 26, from 2 pm
• Where: Cómpeta
• How to get there

Goat Festival – Casabermeja

Located about 25 km north of Malaga is this beautiful, Moorish-origin white mountain village. Nestled between the Montes de Malaga and south of the famous Torcal, this charming village stands out for its steep streets and a quintessential Andalusian atmosphere rarely found along the Costa del Sol.

The village is renowned for its many family-run cheese workshops specializing in the production of artisanal cheeses made from the milk of the local Malaga goat breed.

Every September, visitors can enjoy a festival dedicated to this delicious cheese.
Over the course of a full weekend, there is a packed program of activities for all ages. You can enjoy a gastronomic trail, cheese tastings, children’s entertainment, a craft market, musical performances, and guided tours to learn more about the history and culture of Casabermeja.

Our Tip – The White Cemetery

Casabermeja combines historical heritage, unique architecture, and scenic landscapes. Its white cemetery, visible from the A-45 motorway, is particularly beautiful. Built in the 19th century and declared a Historical-Artistic Monument, this cemetery resembles a small village with pantheon-like tombs.

• When: September 18 to 20
• Where: Casabermeja
• How to get there