The people of Málaga and the Costa del Sol are once again deciding the artistic face of their city. Voting was only open until 2 July for the poster announcing the famous Feria de Málaga 2025 summer fair, one of the most important socio-cultural events in Andalusia.
Last days of voting
Out of 157 entries, the jury selected the five final projects, and now the citizens have the deciding vote. Until 2 July, every citizen of legal age could have choosen online one of the proposals: „Málaga, Biznaga de Arte”, „Tattoo”, „Aires de Málaga”, „Málaga Cubista” or „Lady Malaga”. The winning poster will become the official symbol of this year’s fair and will promote the event on the streets of the city, as well as in the media.
The author or authors of the best work will receive a prize of €3,600, while the four other finalists will be awarded €600. As the city authorities emphasise, the aim of this open formula is to involve the local community in creating the visual and symbolic identity of the city. Malaga is not just celebrating – Malaga is co-creating.
The auditorium: an investment in the future
The vote is just one of many examples of how strongly Malaga is betting on culture – both as a social value and as a tool for development. After years, the project to build a multi-purpose auditorium in the harbour, which has been on the municipal agenda for decades, is returning. Now, with a new approach to socio-cultural development, the project is being given new life. The €209 million investment is to serve as a space for opera, symphonic concerts, theatre performances or international cultural events.
The investment is to be financed through a public-private partnership. The city plans to cover part of the costs and talks with private investors are already underway. The aim of the project is not only to raise Malaga’s profile on the cultural map of Spain, but also to attract tourists by diversifying the city’s offer, which today is mainly based on seasonal and open-air events.
It is the development of infrastructure, including cultural or transport infrastructure, that is now becoming one of the pillars of Málaga’s urban policy. The city, which has recorded one of the highest population growth rates in Spain in recent years, has to face the challenges of urbanisation, tourism and climate change. Local authorities emphasise that development must go hand in hand with quality of life – and this means not only new roads and hospitals, but also places where residents can participate in culture, develop passions and spend time together.
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Malaga invites you to events
The City Council has approved the third modification of the 2025 budget – worth almost €20 million. A significant portion of these funds has been earmarked for unique cultural events, including Comic-Con San Diego Málaga 2025, which is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors. The city has also supported the Michelin-starred gala, which is part of its strategy to promote Málaga as a premium destination in the gastronomic sector.
Feria de Málaga 2025
The event commemorates the recapture of the city by the Catholic Kings in August 1487. Malaga’s biggest annual festival will take place from 16-23 August. It will traditionally begin with a fireworks display on 15 August at midnight on the beaches of Malagueta, Misericordia and Huelin.
Comic-Con San Diego Málaga 2025
From 25-28 September, Málaga will host the first ever European edition of San Diego’s famous pop culture festival Comic-Con, which will be held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos and is expected to attract 60,000 attendees from around the world. This is a historic moment as the event will cross the Atlantic for the first time in its more than half-century history.
Michelin Gala 2025
On 25 November, Málaga will host the Michelin Guide Spain 2026 star gala for the first time. The city currently leads in Andalusia with 11 Michelin stars distributed among nine restaurants. The event will be held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos and is expected to provide the city with media exposure worth around €30 million.
Malaga as a European reference point
It is investment in culture that determines the attractiveness of Malaga – especially in the long term. The city wants to be not only a point on the map of leisure tourism, but also a centre of creativity and contemporary Mediterranean culture. It is no coincidence that there is increasing talk of Málaga as a candidate city for the title of European Capital of Culture.
