Carnival Week in Benalmadena & Málaga: Event Calendar

The fun and entertainment of Carnival is about to kick off here on the Costa del Sol.

Carnival season is popular in many of the towns and cities located up and down the coast but in this post, we’re going to focus on two cities: Benalmadena (for obvious reasons) and the amazing Málaga Carnival which is probably the most spectacular and colourful of all!

Although we refer to it as ‘Carnival Week’ it actually goes on for a little longer… 10 days. There are literally hundreds of activities and events taking place during these festivities; below, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular you’ll want to look out for in each of the cities.

Malaga Carnival 

2^nd February

9:30pm – ‘Gran Gala del Carnaval’ in the Plaza de la Constitución – Lots of singing, dancing and the election of the ‘Dioses’ (Translated as Gods) of the Carnaval.

 

3^rd February

5:00pm – The Great Carnival Parade through the streets of Malaga’s Historic Centre. Lots of people dressed in fancy dress coupled with lots of singing and dancing… not to be missed!

 

9^th February

8:00pm – Batalla de las Flores (Battle of Flowers) and a carriage parade in the Historic Centre of the city.

9:30pm – Drag Queen contest in the ‘Plaza dela Constitución’.

 

10th February

12:00pm – ‘Gran Boqueroná, a gastronomic party with traditional singing.

4:00pm – Parade for the ‘Entierro del Boqueron’ all the way to La Malagueta Beach.

 

Benalmadena Carnival 

2^nd February

7:00pm – Grand Carnival Parade and fancy dress competition in Benalmadena Pueblo.

7:30 to 10:30pm – The Carnival Ball in Benalmadena Pueblo.

 

3^rd February

1:00pm – Gastronomic Carnival in Benalmadena Pueblo with a traditional ‘Potaje Carnavalero’ (Carnival stew)

1:30pm – Gastronomic Carnival in Arroyo dela Miel (Plaza dela Mezquita) with traditional ‘Potaje Carnavalero’ (Carnival Stew).

 

8th February

10:00pm – Election of the Carnival Drag Queen in Plaza de la Mezquita

 

9^th February

6:00pm – Grand Carnival Parade and fancy dress competition in Arroyo de la Miel. Starts of at Tivoli World and ends in Plaza de la Mezquita

7:30 to 10:30pm – The Carnival Ball in Arroyo de la Miel (Plaza de la Mezquita)

 

10th February

12:00pm – ‘Quema de la Lagartija’ Parade, from Plaza de la Mezquita to the fair ground above Paloma Park.

1:00pm – Gastronomic Carnival and Party in the Paloma Park fair ground.

Don’t forget that Carnival Week is a time to ‘let your hair down’ and have some fun before the rigors and abstentions of the Easter Religious Holidays come into effect.

So grab your fancy dress costume and get out there and join the party!