Andalusian Fairs on the Costa del Sol

October keeps Andalusia’s festive spirit alive along the Costa del Sol, where towns stage lively ferias that capture the last warm days of the year. Fairgrounds glow with lights, horses and carriages parade by day, and nights unfold in casetas where families and friends gather over music and tapas. The result is a distinctly Andalusian blend of tradition and celebration that complements the civic and cultural events elsewhere in Spain.

Flagship Dates and Flavors

In Fuengirola, the week-long Feria del Rosario honors the town’s patron saint with processions, flamenco, equestrian displays and fireworks. Nearby, San Pedro de Alcántara celebrates the Feria de San Pedro with parades, concerts and traditional costumes. Food lovers gravitate to the Benalmádena Seafood Fair and to the Cheese Fair in Teba, where local producers showcase artisan varieties that pair perfectly with regional wines.

How a Feria Works

By day, fairgrounds come alive with riders in short jackets (traje corto) and women in ruffled dresses (traje de gitana). By night, the casetas become social hubs—some public, some private—serving tapas as live music and dance continue into the small hours. In Cádiz and Málaga, the eve of All Saints brings Tosantos, a market-based festivity that decorates stalls, stages humorous displays and spotlights autumn produce, affirming local identity alongside the rising influence of Halloween.

Planning Tips

• Where to stay: Base yourself near town centres or reliable public transport; parking near fairgrounds is limited.
• What to wear: Dress smart-casual and comfortable; traditional attire is welcome but not required.
• What to try: Seafood tastings in Benalmádena, cheeses in Teba and late-night churros at the fair.

Why It Matters

Andalusian fairs add a gastronomic and folkloric dimension to October in Spain, balancing the ceremonial weight of the National Day and the arts focus of Barcelona with the south’s signature warmth and conviviality.