What’s On in Malaga in November 2026
November in Malaga 2026 is one of the best months for culture, sport, food and early Christmas planning. The headline dates are Malaga Jazz Festival, Malaga Marathon weekend, FANCINE, GastroWine and the expected Christmas lights switch-on at the end of the month. Use this guide to choose the right week, book the events that need tickets and keep one indoor option ready in case the weather changes.
Today’s official forecast
Malaga weather today
Rain showers
- Rain
- 80%
- Wind
- E 10 km/h
- UV index
- 5
Forecast for Malaga city. Updated . Source: AEMET.
This November guide is actively updated as official programmes are confirmed. Bookmark it before your trip and sign up for our free newsletter for the latest Malaga events, Christmas-light news and practical visitor updates.
More month-by-month Malaga events: Previous month: October · All Malaga events · Next month: December
November 2026 key dates in Malaga
| Date | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Oct-1 Nov | GastroWine at La Termica | Free food, wine, producers, restaurants and live music to start November. |
| 2 Nov | Observed public holiday | Banks and many offices close; restaurants, bars and museums may vary. |
| 3-10 Nov | Malaga Jazz Festival | The main cultural week of the month at Teatro Cervantes. |
| 7-8 Nov | Malaga Marathon weekend | 42K, 21K, Brunch Run and Kids Race; expect road closures and busy hotels. |
| 11-17 Nov | FANCINE | Malaga’s fantasy film festival, mostly around Cine Albeniz and university spaces. |
| 15 Nov | Victor Manuel at Teatro Cervantes | A well-known Spanish artist and a strong concert pick for the month. |
| Expected 27 Nov | Christmas lights switch-on | Probably the first big Christmas night on Calle Larios, pending official confirmation. |
Choose your November week
30 October-2 November: long weekend and food
- GastroWine: 30 October to 1 November at La Termica. Free entry; workshops can require advance booking.
- All Saints: 1 November falls on Sunday and the observed holiday is Monday 2 November.
- Good plan: combine GastroWine with museums or a food-focused weekend.
3-10 November: jazz and marathon week
- Malaga Jazz Festival: 3 to 10 November at Teatro Cervantes, with major international names.
- Unicaja: check home fixtures at the Martin Carpena, including European basketball dates.
- Marathon weekend: Brunch Run and Kids Race around Saturday 7, main 42K and 21K on Sunday 8.
11-17 November: film and concerts
- FANCINE: 11 to 17 November, fantasy, horror, science fiction and genre cinema.
- Victor Manuel: Sunday 15 November at Teatro Cervantes.
- Good plan: book screenings and build rainy-day backups around museums.
18-30 November: sport, museums and early Christmas
- Basketball and local sport: check Unicaja and local race calendars.
- Museums: Munch-Picasso, Carmen Thyssen and Pompidou exhibitions continue.
- Christmas: the lights switch-on is expected at the end of November, probably Friday 27 November, pending official confirmation.
Culture: jazz, cinema, theatre and concerts
Malaga Jazz Festival: 3-10 November
Where: Teatro Cervantes, Calle Ramos Marin. When: 3 to 10 November, usually 8pm. Why go: this is one of Malaga’s strongest annual cultural events and the 2026 edition marks 40 years of the festival.
The 2026 programme includes Mario Biondi, Nate Smith, Alfa Mist, Kurt Rosenwinkel, James Carter Organ Trio, Kenny Barron, Kurt Elling with Yellowjackets and Michel Camilo Trio. See the full line-up and booking details in our dedicated Malaga Jazz Festival guide.
FANCINE: 11-17 November
Where: Cine Albeniz, Calle Alcazabilla 4, and other city spaces. When: 11 to 17 November. Why go: FANCINE is Malaga’s long-running fantastic film festival, organised by the University of Malaga.
The 36th edition is built around the theme Programados para amar, with fantasy, horror, science fiction and stories about love in many forms. Films are generally shown in their original language with Spanish subtitles. Check the official FANCINE website for ticket sales, venues and the final programme.
Concerts and live music to check
- Victor Manuel: Sunday 15 November at Teatro Cervantes, part of the Solo a solas conmigo tour. Check the official theatre programme for prices and remaining seats.
- La Cochera Cabaret: comedy, family theatre and live music across the month. Use it as a flexible evening option and check the current programme.
- Jazz around the city: the Jazz Festival often brings extra concerts beyond the main theatre dates. Confirm the free programme closer to your stay.
Sport: marathon weekend, basketball and football
Malaga Marathon and 21K: 8 November
The biggest sports event of the month is the Generali Malaga Marathon on Sunday 8 November. The official race day includes the 42.195km marathon and 21.097km half-marathon, both starting at 8.30am from Paseo del Parque, opposite the University of Malaga Rectorate. The organisers describe the new routes as faster, flatter and with fewer curves.
Even if you are not running, plan around it. Paseo del Parque, Alameda Principal, the port, the seafront and the city centre can be busier than usual, and road closures affect taxis and buses. Book accommodation and Sunday lunch early. If you are spectating, Muelle Uno, the port and the historic centre make easy places to combine cheering with a coffee or tapas stop.
The weekend also includes family and visitor-friendly side events such as the Brunch Run and Kids Race. Check the official site for registration limits, bib collection and route details.
Unicaja basketball at the Carpena
Unicaja usually gives visitors one of the best live-sport experiences in Malaga. In November, check the official calendar for ACB and Basketball Champions League fixtures. Confirmed European home games include Unicaja vs Pallacanestro Reggiana on Tuesday 3 November and Unicaja vs KVIS Pardubice on Wednesday 18 November, both at 8.30pm according to the club’s BCL schedule.
Malaga CF: check La Rosaleda fixtures
Malaga CF fixtures can move for TV, so use the club’s official website before planning a football evening. A Malaga CF vs Racing Club home fixture appears around the marathon weekend, but the exact kick-off should be checked before booking. Read our football in Malaga guide for La Rosaleda, tickets and matchday advice.
November is also very active for running, cycling and trail events in the Malaga province, including local races in Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Mijas, Torremolinos and inland towns. These are better as day-trip ideas than core city events, so check the organiser and location before adding them to your itinerary.
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Food and wine in November
GastroWine: 30 October-1 November
GastroWine brings Malaga wines, local producers, restaurants and live music to La Termica on Avenida de los Guindos 48. It starts in October but matters for November visitors because the main weekend runs through Sunday 1 November. Entry is free, but individual tastings and workshops may need registration.
Tapas tours and autumn restaurants
The MAHOS tapas route ran in November last year, but the 2026 edition still needs confirmation. Keep an eye on the organiser’s tapas route page. In the meantime, November is a strong restaurant month because the weather is mild enough for terraces but cool enough for long lunches. Use our where to eat in Malaga guides for tested ideas.
Christmas starts in late November
Expected, not yet official: Malaga Christmas lights will probably switch on on Friday 27 November 2026 from around 6.30pm. The City Council normally confirms the official date and details closer to the event.
The switch-on night is atmospheric but extremely busy around Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitucion. If you dislike crowds or are visiting with small children, come back on a weekday evening after the first weekend. The light-and-sound show times are usually 6.30pm, 8.30pm and 10pm, but the 2026 schedule must be checked once published.
Read our full Christmas in Malaga guide for lights, markets, nativity scenes, concerts, opening times and practical crowd advice.
Museums and exhibitions in November
November is a strong museum month, especially if the weather turns. These are the exhibitions to build into your Malaga itinerary:
- Museo Picasso Malaga: Munch-Picasso runs from 30 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, alongside the museum’s Picasso collection. Check opening hours and tickets.
- Carmen Thyssen Museum: Ole! The Myth of Spain through Andalusia runs from 3 October to 21 February 2027, and Julio Gonzalez, painter and draughtsman from 22 October to 17 January 2027. See current exhibitions.
- Centre Pompidou Malaga: current exhibitions continue through winter, including To Open Eyes and the family-friendly design spaces. Check the latest exhibition page.
For more details, free-entry times and museum-by-museum practical advice, use our Malaga museums guide.
Family, gardens and rainy-day ideas
La Concepcion Botanical Garden is one of the best autumn places in Malaga, but November-specific guided visits and family activities still need organiser confirmation for 2026. Check the garden before travelling and keep the museums above as a wet-weather alternative.
Families should also watch FANCINE for suitable screenings, use Muelle Uno for an easy port walk, and keep the weather forecast high on the page in mind. November can be beautifully mild, but an indoor backup makes the day easier.
Need a hotel in Malaga in November?
Book early if your dates include the marathon weekend, Jazz Festival, FANCINE or the expected Christmas lights switch-on. Start with our area-by-area guide to where to stay in Malaga, then compare the best options for your dates.
Plan your trip around Malaga events
- Malaga Airport guide
- Getting around Malaga by bus
- Best time to visit Malaga
- Where to stay in Malaga
- Christmas in Malaga
Questions about visiting Malaga in November
The main confirmed events are GastroWine from 30 October to 1 November, Malaga Jazz Festival from 3 to 10 November, Malaga Marathon on 8 November, FANCINE from 11 to 17 November, and the expected Christmas lights switch-on at the end of the month.
November is usually mild in Malaga, with pleasant daytime temperatures, cooler evenings and more chance of rain than in summer. Check the live AEMET forecast on this page before deciding between outdoor plans and museums.
The switch-on is expected at the end of November, probably Friday 27 November from around 6.30pm, but this should be treated as provisional until Malaga City Council confirms the official date and programme.
Book Jazz Festival concerts, marathon-weekend accommodation, FANCINE screenings, popular theatre shows, Unicaja basketball tickets and restaurants around Christmas-lights weekend. Free events can still require advance tickets or early arrival.
Yes. November works well for families because the weather is usually comfortable for sightseeing, museums are easy wet-weather backups, FANCINE often includes varied film programming, and the Christmas season begins at the end of the month.
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