Fiesta de las Migas in Torrox – free migas on the Sunday before Christmas

On the Sunday before Christmas, Torrox hands out free migas – fried semolina flour with garlic and olive oil – served alongside salad and a glass of local wine. Tens of thousands of visitors flock to the white village perched above Torrox Costa, just 36 km and a 35-minute drive from Playa Tropical. The next edition takes place on Sunday 20 December 2026.

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What is being celebrated?

There is no patron saint here. The festival honours a dish: migas, traditional everyday fare for agricultural labourers. In Torrox, it is made with durum wheat semolina, water, olive oil, garlic, and salt, constantly fried and tossed in huge skillets until it separates into small morsels (migas literally means crumbs). It was inexpensive, filling, and easily prepared out in the fields. In 2023, Mayor Óscar Medina described the celebration as "a tribute to the field workers".

Alongside the migas comes ensalada arriera, a refreshing cold salad of tomatoes, onions, oranges, and salt cod (bacalao), plus a glass of vino del terreno, the local sweet wine. The salad is prepared each year by the women's association La Almedina.

The festival has taken place since the early 1980s. Festivales de España lists it as running "since 1981", though the official numbering (34th in 2015, 44th in 2025) suggests 1982. In 1999, the Junta de Andalucía declared it a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional de Andalucía – Andalusia's formal recognition for events with enduring heritage – noting that "the locals here embody tradition, solidarity, and celebration". The Province of Málaga has likewise awarded it Fiesta de Interés Turístico Provincial status. The mayor frequently calls it "Spain's most important culinary fiesta". In 2020, during the pandemic, migas was prepared in front of cameras and streamed online so people could cook along at home.

The caracola – the conch shell that signals mealtime

The festival's highlight arrives when local resident Angelita Villena sounds the caracola, a large conch shell. That is the cue for the crowd to move from the main square up to the distribution area. According to the travel site Andalucía Mía, the conch was historically blown to call field hands in from the valleys for meals – and to raise the alarm ahead of rain, so that raisins drying in the sun could be swiftly covered. We have not been able to confirm this detail with the municipality.

When does it take place?

The fiesta is always held on the Sunday before Christmas. Dates can occasionally shift, however: in 2015, it was brought forward by a week because of the general election on 20 December.

As of October 2026, the municipality has not published the programme for 2026. The official poster, herald, and musical acts are usually revealed in late November or mid-December – in 2025, this took place on 15 December. Check Torrox Municipality's social media channels or the Telegram feed iTorrox.

The programme

The programme remains fairly consistent from year to year. Here is how it unfolded in 2025 (reported by AxarquíaPlus based on municipal announcements):

• 11:00 am – Gala on Plaza de la Constitución. The local choir and the dance ensemble Coros y Danzas de Torrox perform, awards are presented, and the festival's official herald (pregonero) gives their address. In 2025, it was Canal Sur presenter Eva Ruiz; in 2024, singer María Peláe.
• Approx. 1:00 pm – The conch shell and parade. Angelita Villena blows the caracola, and the procession winds its way from the main square up to Llano de la Almazara, the large open ground north of the town centre by the olive mill. Leading the way is a panda de verdiales, a traditional Málaga folk music troupe featuring violins, guitars, tambourines, and flower-adorned hats.
• From approx. 1:00 pm – Migas, salad, and wine. Volunteer migueros dish out generous portions of migas, ensalada arriera, and wine. Live music from the verdiales group Coto Tres Hermanas and the band The Crumbs.
• 1:15 pm – Christmas music on the square. In 2025, a traditional zambomba (Andalusian flamenco Christmas carols) performed by the group Candela.
• 4:00 pm – Concert on Plaza de la Constitución. In 2025, a performance by Javier Ojeda of Danza Invisible.
• 6:00 pm – "Súper tardeo" with DJ sets geared towards the younger crowd on the square.
• 9:00 pm – Fireworks lighting up the night sky over the town.

There are no religious processions or church services included as part of the celebration.

Food and drink

Everything is completely free while supplies last. For the 2025 festival, the municipality bought ingredients for over six and a half tonnes of food, according to the mayor:

The wine is served in small plastic tumblers. A gluten-free migas option is also cooked. In 2025, leftover food was donated to soup kitchens across Málaga province. The Llano de la Almazara distribution area is located near the town's historical olive mill (almazara means oil mill).

The bars and restaurants around Plaza de la Constitución stay open throughout, but are completely packed all day long. We haven't tried them ourselves. Discover more about local gastronomy in Food Traditions.

How to get there

The festival takes place in Torrox Pueblo (the historic inland village), around 3 km from the coast – not in the modern resort of Torrox Costa.

By car

From Playa Tropical, it is around 36 km to Torrox Pueblo, taking roughly 35 minutes. Follow the A-7 motorway towards Málaga past Nerja and take the Torrox exit. The buttons under the map open directions directly from Playa Tropical in Google Maps.

Parking: The village streets are narrow, and parking spaces fill up very early. The municipality recommends parking for free at Parking de Ferrara by the beach in Torrox Costa (approx. 38 km from Playa Tropical) and taking the festival shuttle bus up to the village. In 2025, the council also highlighted the large car park by Hotel Iberostar. Tourist coaches in 2025 were directed to park on the old San Roque pitch by Convento de las Nieves.

The shuttle bus from Torrox Costa

In 2024, three special buses operated continuously between the coast and the village, stopping at a dedicated stop by Hotel Iberostar. From 11:00 am onwards, they ran every 20 minutes, with the last bus returning from Torrox Pueblo at 9:30 pm. Standard bus fares applied. A similar shuttle service ran in 2025. Exact timetables and stops for 2026 will be published by the municipality just before the festival via their Telegram channel iTorrox and social media.

By bus or taxi from Almuñécar

Buses run from Almuñécar to Torrox Costa along the coast, but we have not been able to confirm whether there is a bus back to Almuñécar after the fireworks at 21:00. A taxi there and back is the safest option if no one wants to drive. See also Buses and Car rental.

On the way

• Balcón de Europa in Nerja – the viewpoint over the sea, approx. 25 minutes from Playa Tropical. See also The Nerja Caves.
• Faro de Torrox – the lighthouse in Torrox Costa, where remains of a Roman village and factory are located. Free public toilet close by.

Toilets

The municipality mentions nothing about portable toilets for the fiesta, and we have not been able to find public toilets in Torrox town on OpenStreetMap. Count on the bars around Plaza de la Constitución – buy a cup of coffee – and expect queues. Use the toilet before leaving home, or use the free public toilet by the lighthouse in Torrox Costa (wheelchair accessible, according to OpenStreetMap) if you park by the beach.

Practical info

• It gets very busy. The police counted 50,000 visitors in 2024. The queue for migas is long. If you want a plate without standing in line for ages, be at Llano de la Almazara before the caracol sounds.
• Hilly town. Torrox town is set on a mountainside with steep streets and steps. From the main square up to Llano de la Almazara is quite an uphill walk. Difficult with a rollator and wheelchair, especially in the crowds.
• It can rain. In 2025, it rained all morning, and only about 300 people watched the gala. Bring a rain jacket – the fiesta goes ahead regardless.
• Cash for the bars and stalls.
• Fireworks at 21:00. Keep this in mind if you have a dog with you.
• Drive home in good time. The sun sets around 18:00 in December. The designated driver doesn't drink wine – the legal limit in Spain is 0.25 mg/l in breath. See Customs and driving rules.

Maps and routes

Red star = Playa Tropical. Click on a point for the name and distance. Map data © OpenStreetMap.

Good advice

• Check the programme in December. The municipality publishes timings, artists and buses shortly before the fiesta.
• Park by the beach. Use the free car park at Ferrara and the fiesta bus instead of hunting for a space in town.
• Arrive for the gala at 11:00. That way you get the folk music, the conch shell and a good spot in the migas queue.
• Try the salad. Ensalada arriera with orange and cod is just as big a part of the fiesta as migas.
• More fiestas over the festive season: New Year's Eve with the 12 grapes and The Three Kings Parade on 5 January. See also Fiestas and traditions in Almuñécar.

The 2026 programme has not been published as of October 2026. The timings above are from 2024 and 2025 and are subject to change.