Festivals in Nerja: Top 10 Fiestas on the Málaga Coast

As is the case in all of Andalucia the people of Nerja love to party and never more so than for the annual Nerja Festival (Feria de Nerja) which takes place for five wild days in October. Nearly everyone seems to take the week off work and there are street parties going on throughout the night with copious consumption of alcohol. The fairground also comes to town and is packed with mothers and daughters in traditional flamenco dresses.

Festivals in Nerja Spain

Some of the other main festivals in Nerja are in February when the town celebrates Carnaval, in March/April for the traditional Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations and June for San Juan when barbecues take place all along the beach. The 16th July is a great day to be in Nerja to witness the Virgen del Carmen festival when a statue of the Virgin Mary is carried through the town to a fishing boat and is then taken out to sea. Also in July is the Festival de la Cueva when classical music concerts take place in the Nerja Caves.

If you’re in Nerja over the Christmas period be warned that bars and restaurants will most likely close early on Christmas Eve but Christmas Day will be a normal opening day for them. The big day over this period is the evening of January 5th when the Reyes Magos (Three Wise Men) arrive in town to give gifts to the children.

Annual Festivals in Nerja

Here’s a full list of annual festivals in Nerja but you should check with the Nerja Tourist Information office (Puerta del Mar, 2) to confirm dates.

Fiesta de San Antón (Maro)

Nerja’s festival begins in mid-January with the Fiesta de San Antón in the nearby village of Maro. This event pays homage to Saint Anthony the Abbot, the patron and protector of domestic animals. Dating back to the 17th century, the event begins on the night of 16th with bonfires, fireworks and a procession. The following day another procession takes place accompanied by music from a local band. At the end of the day, pet owners take their pets to the church for a blessing. The festival concludes with more fireworks, music and the tasting a the local dish called ‘Choto a la Marena’.

Carnaval de Nerja

Taking place over four days in February or March, the Nerja Carnival typically includes float processions, costume competitions, live music performances, street shows and a wide array of activities suitable for all ages. In addition to the scheduled activities, local pubs and restaurants often arrange special events for their clientele. The event concludes with the burial of the anchovy (Entierro del Bogueron) and an impressive fireworks display on the Balcón de Europa.

Festivals in Nerja: Carnival

Holy Week (Semana Santa)

March or April sees the arrival of Holy Week (Semana Santa) which is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Andalucía. This profoundly important religious observance commemorates the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Nerja’s Semana Santa is marked by solemn processions featuring pasos, intricately decorated floats carrying religious statues. These processions, organised by local brotherhoods, wind through the town’s streets, accompanied by the mournful sound of saetas, traditional flamenco laments. The week culminates in joyous Easter Sunday celebrations, marking the end of Lent and the resurrection of Christ.

Cruces de Mayo

Nerja celebrates the Festival of the May Crosses on 3rd May when elaborate crosses, decorated with flowers, are displayed in squares, courtyards and balconies throughout Nerja. Local communities compete to create the most beautiful cross, resulting in a town-wide explosion of colour and creativity. For a more elaborate display of the Cruces de Mayo you should take a day trip from Nerja to Granada or Córdoba.

San Isidro

San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers and labourers, is honoured annually in Nerja on May 15th. This vibrant celebration showcases traditional Spanish culture, with women in flamenco dresses and men on Andalusian horses in traditional attire. The festivities begin on the evening of May 14th at the Nerja Caves.

On May 15th, a mass is held at El Salvador Church, followed by a procession (Romeria de San Isidro) to the Nerja Caves. The procession features a statue of the saint on an ox-drawn cart, accompanied by locals, horses and decorated vehicles. This 3km journey can take up to four hours.

Upon reaching the caves, awards are presented and a lively party ensues, transitioning from traditional to modern music. Bus services are available both evenings for convenient transportation. The San Isidro celebration offers visitors a unique glimpse into Spanish traditions and community spirit.

Noche de San Juan

Celebrated on 24th June, the San Juan festival blends pagan summer solstice traditions with the Christian feast of St. John the Baptist. Across Spain, ‘La noche de San Juan’ is marked by various customs, with notable celebrations in Alicante, Valencia and the Canary Islands. In Nerja, the festival centres around bonfires (Hogueras) on beaches, symbolising sun-strengthening and sin-cleansing. Tradition holds that jumping over a bonfire three times will purify one’s sins. Another key ritual involves bathing in the sea at midnight in order to grant wishes and bring good fortune.

Preparations begin with locals pitching tents on beaches like El Playazo in preparation for a night of partying. Official events including bonfires, live music and fireworks take place on Burriana beach from around 10pm.

Virgen del Carmen

Nerja honours the Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of fishermen and sailors, on 16th July. This festival holds particular significance in coastal communities along the Mediterranean coast. The highlight of the celebration is a maritime procession, where a statue of the Virgin is carried on a beautifully decorated boat accompanied by a flotilla of fishing vessels. The procession, which starts on land and continues at sea, is believed to bless the waters and ensure safe passage for mariners. The day concludes with fireworks over the sea, creating a spectacular display which draws large crowds to Nerja’s beaches.

Festival de la Cueva: Celebrating Nerja’s Natural Wonder

The Nerja Cave Festival is a prestigious classical music and dance event held in the month of July. Since its inception in 1960, this unique festival has been staged within the remarkable Nerja Cave. The inaugural performance was a groundbreaking rendition of ‘Swan Lake’ which was the first time in dance history that a classical ballet had been performed inside a cavern. Over the years, the festival has attracted a wealth of renowned artists including José Carreras, Montserrat Caballé and Joaquín Cortés. The event has also attracted esteemed orchestras and ballet companies.

Festival in the Caves of Nerja

This extraordinary venue, combining natural wonder with artistic excellence, has cemented the Nerja Cave Festival’s reputation as a singular cultural event in the region, drawing music and dance aficionados from far and wide.

Feria de las Maravillas (Maro)

The neighbouring village of Maro holds its annual fair in early September which provides a glimpse into local culture and community life. The festival features a variety of activities including flamenco performances, free paella, a procession honouring Maro’s patron saint. The election of Miss Flamenca and the Queen of the Fiestas are much anticipated events along with the annual horse parade.

Feria de Nerja

The Feria de Nerja is the town’s most anticipated annual celebration which marks the culmination of the town’s festival calendar during the 2nd week of October. This five-day extravaganza honours the Virgen de las Angustias, Nerja’s patron saint. The town comes alive with casetas lining the streets, offering temporary bars and dance venues, while fairground attractions and live performance stages add to the party atmosphere. Traditional flamenco dresses and horse-drawn carriages evoke the essence of Andalucían culture.

The festivities kick off with an opening ceremony at the Balcón de Europa, where the Feria Queen is crowned amidst musical performances. Throughout the week, visitors can experience ‘Diana Floreada’ musical processions, daytime events in Plaza Tutti Frutti and evening concerts at the fairground. Key attractions include a decorated float parade, showcases by both local and national artists and a reverent procession of the patron saints. The fairground provides exciting rides and entertainment suitable for all age groups.

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