XXIV Arab-Andalusian Festival of Salares
Salares steps back into its Andalusian past for three days of culture, history, music and tradition at the 24th Arab-Andalusian Festival.
The festival celebrates the village’s rich Arab-Andalusian heritage and the history that can still be seen in its architecture and traditions today. Throughout the weekend, the streets of Salares will come alive with a traditional souk, belly dancing, falconry, street parades, flamenco, concerts, an equestrian show, art exhibitions, workshops and gastronomic tastings.
There will also be talks and conferences exploring the history and heritage of the area, together with the presentation of a book about Salares.
With activities for all ages, it is a lovely opportunity to explore one of the Axarquía’s small mountain villages while experiencing its history, food, music and traditions.
📅 18–20 September 2026
📍 Salares
🎟️ Festival activities take place throughout the village
PROGRAMME
FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER
21:15 – Video Report
A look back at highlights from the previous Arab-Andalusian Festival in Salares.
Location: Church Courtyard
21:40 – Mandanis Concert
Daniel Martínez and Javier González perform, accompanied by dancer Elena López.
Location: Church of Santa Ana
Later – Street Parade
Dancing through the streets to Plaza de la Mezquita, where Arabic tea and traditional Arabic sweets will be served.
SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER
09:00–10:00 – Traditional Community Breakfast
Start the festival day with a traditional local breakfast.
Location: Avenida Alcalde Ángel Fernández
10:00–11:00 – Conference
A talk about the people of Salares who participated in the Frigiliana parade and the Vessel of the Three Cultures of Salares.
Location: Church of Santa Ana
10:30 – Art Exhibition Opens
Paintings by local artist Manuel Fernández.
Location: Exhibition Hall, Ayuntamiento de Salares
11:00 – Musical Book Presentation
Presentation of El Catastro de Ensenada, La Villa de Salares by José Bernal Gutiérrez, accompanied by Lorena Fernández on French horn and María Teresa García on piano.
12:00–14:00 – The Wine Presses of Salares
A historical and educational journey through the village’s traditional winemaking methods, including a visit to old wine presses. In collaboration with Bodegas de la Axarquía and José María Ramos.
Location: Church of Santa Ana
Afterwards – Food & Drink Tasting
Chicken tagine and refreshing sangria, followed by aromatic Arabic tea and pastries.
Price: €2
Location: Plaza de la Mezquita
17:00 – Children’s Treasure Hunt
Search for the “Alarife’s Treasure Chest”.
19:00 – Pasión Ecuestre
A grand equestrian show celebrating horsemanship, tradition and the art of the horse.
19:30 – Candle Lighting
The streets of Salares are illuminated with candles as evening falls.
19:30 – Reception of Authorities
The official reception ahead of the festival’s institutional ceremony.
20:00 – Sacerdotisas del Nilo
A travelling spectacle with drums, torches and oriental dancing by Elena López and her dance company, filling the streets with music, fire and colour.
Afterwards – Coro Luz de Amanecer
The men and women of Salares perform pasodobles, rumbas and sevillanas.
Location: Main Marquee
21:00 – Official Opening Ceremony
Historian, writer and researcher Salvador Valverde Gálvez gives the festival’s opening address. This will be followed by the presentation of the 2026 Premios Alminar.
Afterwards – Gastronomic Tasting
Pinchos morunos, soft drinks and beer.
Location: Arroyo, beside the health centre
22:15 – Duendes de Oriente
Oriental dance performance from Vélez-Málaga.
23:15 – Esencia Flamenca
Flamenco performance by Antonio Guerra’s company, with Miguel Ángel Fernández on vocals, Cristian Calderón on guitar, Jesús Carmona on percussion and dancers Antonio Guerra, Macarena Álvarez, Pilar Franco, Mónica Guerra, Greta Zorrilla and Rocío Ruíz.
Later – La Llave
Live flamenco-pop concert.
To finish the night – DJ Toulalan
Music and dancing with a mix of current hits and favourites from across the years.
SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
09:00–10:00 – Andalusian Breakfast
Churros and hot chocolate to start the final day of the festival.
10:00 – The Souk Reopens
The traditional market returns to the streets of Salares.
10:30 – Art Exhibition
Another opportunity to visit Manuel Fernández’s painting exhibition at the Ayuntamiento exhibition hall.
10:00–11:00 – Practical Music Workshop
A journey through Andalusian, Christian and Sephardic music with Lucía Parrado Domínguez and Beatriz Parrado Domínguez.
Location: Church of Santa Ana
11:00–12:00 – History of Salares
A presentation about El Libro de Apeo y Repartimiento de Salares and the Andalusian mill of the former settlement of Rubite, with Valentín Fernández Camacho.
12:00 – Musical Street Parade
La Carpa Teatro brings colour and entertainment to the festival, with activities for adults and children.
Location: Main Marquee
12:00–13:00 – Vientos de Al Andalus
An educational concert by Javier Claros. Free registration until capacity is reached.
Location: Church of Salares
13:30 – Danza Elena Fusión
A dance performance taking visitors on a journey into the past.
Location: Main Marquee
Afterwards – Community Paella
Traditional paella for a symbolic price of €1.
15:20 – José Lucena y su Cuadro Flamenco
The flamenco show Temple, featuring singers Curro Cueto and Javier Flores El Indio, guitarists Juan Moreno and Juan Belmonte, and a company of flamenco dancers.
Location: Main Marquee
16:30 – Belly Dance
Performance by Escuela Belly Dance from Rincón de la Victoria.
Location: Main Marquee
17:20 – Coro Luz de Amanecer
Sevillanas, pasodobles and rumbas performed by the local Salares choir.
Location: Main Marquee
18:00 – Falconry Exhibition
A traditional display featuring birds of prey.
Location: Main Marquee
18:00 – Tea Tasting
Location: Avenida Alcalde Ángel Fernández
19:00 – Manuel Orta
The festival closes with a performance from Andalusian singer Manuel Orta.
Location: Main Marquee
Official organisers/ posters/programme: Ayuntamiento de Salares
This event is organised by the participating establishments and promoters. Nerja Amigos provides event information for guidance only and accepts no responsibility for changes to the programme, timings, cancellations or services provided by third parties. Event details may change without notice.
