One of the best cultural events of the year, the Noche en Blanco in Malaga is just around the corner. Celebrating a long evening of dozens of free cultural events at over 100 venues), this is a must-do if you’re in Malaga.
On Saturday20 May 2023, the whole city gets ready for a full evening of performances, installations, exhibitions, concerts and fun. Based around this year’s general theme of the good life (Gen de la Buena Vida), the action starts at 7pm and continues until 1am Best of all? Everything’s free.
There’s lots and lots on during the Noche en Blanco in Malaga, all based around the same theme. The theme for 2023 is the good life (easy in Malaga!). Read on to discover our highlights and for more information on planning your evening.
Did you know? Noche en blanco means ‘a sleepless night’.
Where to find information
Every cultural venue, lots of tourism businesses and many individuals are organising events for the Noche en Blanco in Malaga. The list literally runs into the hundreds. The dedicated website (in Spanish only) lists all events (in Spanish only) here.
Top tip – you need to sign up for some activities in advance usually by email and from 9am on 13 May. Most will be oversubscribed so send your email in plenty of time!
If you’re looking for information at the time, there will be a Noche en Blanco office on Calle Larios. Open on Friday 12 May noon till 2pm and 8-10pm, and Saturday 13 May noon till 2pm and 6pm-midnight. All Malaga tourist offices have information and programmes.
There’s also a mobile phone app (in Spanish). Download Noctiluca 2023 for Android or iOS for the programme, maps and other information.
Our highlights
Deciding what to see and do in Malaga for this special event comes as a bit of a challenge when you’re literally spoilt for choice, but to give you some ideas, we’ve highlighted the following:
Calle Larios
The street is usually the main focus for installations and this year is no exception. Students from Malaga Architecture School have created an installation representing the “Air of Good Life”.
Plaza de la Marina
This square is another focal point for events this year:
Spanish Dance in the Good Life – Los Vivancos dance group perform at 9pm, 9.45pm and 10.30pm.
Tourist bus – tours around the city cost €2, last an hour and leave every 20 minutes.
Calle Echegaray
This pretty street off Calle Granada will be themed with “The Good Chair”.
Muelle Uno
An installation of white lights imitating plancton will illuminate part of the walkway.
Malaga Museums
All the museums open until midnight and offer free entry. This is your chance to see that exhibition – temporary or permanent – and there’s something very special about a night time visit. Extra highlights at the museums include:
- The chance to watch the creation of a ‘live’ still life painting on the façade of the Revello del Toro Museum.
- An immersive video game experience at the OXO Videogame Museum.
Dance
There are lots of dance performances. We’ve picked out these highlights:
The Good Dance – performances by one of the local professional dance schools in the exhibition spaces at CAC museum from 10 to 10.30pm.
Dance takes your woes away – in the lovely patio at the Carmen Thyssen Museum at 8.15pm, 9.15pm and 10.15pm.
Music in Malaga
You’ll see musicians on many corners and stumble on concerts throughout the city. We like the sound of these:
- Plaza del Obispo – a full musical programme for almost the whole evening.
- Calle Molina Lario – several concerts including one by the Symphonic Pop Orchestra at 8pm and a surprise one at 11.30pm.
- Calle Alcazabilla – numerous recitals such as gospel and classical choir plus piano performances during the evening.
Malaga Monuments
Night tours of the Alcazaba – one of our favourites because it’s atmospheric and romantic!. Tours (in Spanish) take 50 minutes and leave every 15 minutes between 7pm and midnight. There’s also a tour in English at 8pm. To be sure it’s fully dark when you visit, choose a tour after 10pm. Tickets are available online from 13 May at 9am, with different links depending on the time you choose for your visit.
Cervantes Theatre – a guided tour of the theatre and a talk about its history and the scenery, currently installed on stage at 7pm and 8.30pm. You need to get a ticket, available from 11am on 16 May from the box office or online
Nereo Shipyards – yet another of our favourite spots. The shipyards (Callejón de Marina 8, right at the west end of Pedregalejo seafront promenade) have pulled out all the stops for the Noche en Blanco in Malaga with guided tours of the boats in the yard including a replica of the Phoenician fishing boat, trips on the typical jabega boats, rope-tying classes and an Habaneras concert at 10pm. Sign up by email museovivo@astillerosnereo.com or phone 952 294 049.
Our dos for the Noche en Blanco in Malaga
Do be prepared for crowds – Malaga takes to the streets for this event so the city centre will be packed. Venues out of the city centre such as the Russian Museum and the Car Museum tend to be quieter.
Do choose your programme in advance – everyone wants to go to everything so if you can, sign up in advance or be very specific about what you want to see.
Do take your kids – this is family-friendly event and there are lots of children’s activities. Click on ‘Nochecita en Blanco’ on the website (scroll down a bit to find it) to find out what’s on.
Do book a table – if you’re planning to eat out at one of the restaurants in Malaga during the evening, book your table now.
Do enjoy yourself – even if you can’t get into a specific venue, there’s lots going on in the streets and squares.
Do keep an eye on your stuff – this is a safe event in Malaga but keep your valuables close and watch your children don’t get lost in the crowds.
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