Probably the biggest party of the year in Spain; the Feria in Malaga lasts nine days. For 2010 it´ll be celebrated from midnight on the 13th August and the Feria lasts until the 22nd August and originated as a celebration of Malaga's incorporation in to the realm of the Castilians in the 15th century.
It is actually not a Feria in the literal sense, as there is no horse fair, but still contains the atmosphere tradition that would be expected from such a prestigious occasion.
This city fair is concentrated around Malaga's equivalent to London's Bond Street; Marques de Larios, which is decorated with paper lanterns and flags and horses replace cars as the means of transport. Millions of people visit the fair, although very few tourists seem to know about this intrinsically Andalusian traditional fiesta which, in Malaga, is two distinct events. it all takes place in the center during the day and at the fairground from around 9 pm until dawn. The latter is an immense precinct where various associations install their 'casetas' - large booths for entertainment and refreshment, where old and young alike meet up in laughing circles of gossip, surrounded by swirling dancers and waiters rushing around making sure that everyone is continually topped up with fino and 'tapas'.
The casetas are also where many business deals are struck between local Malagueños, who have closed their conventional office for the week. Outside, the fair is a spectacular, bustling fairyland of dazzling lights, music, soaring ferris wheels and careering dodgem cars. A fantastic titillation on all the senses and incomparable to any 'conventional' fair elsewhere.
