Mijas

Location

Costa del Sol

Mijas’s Fiestas and Gastronomy

Each of the three population centres holds its own fair. Las Lagunas gets things moving in the first fortnight in June. A grand cavalcade travels through the main streets of this centre to open the days of festivities, which are held at the fairgrounds. The Municipal and Youth booths are the most animated, as it is there that the musical performances take place. There are horse shows and fishing and amateur radio competitions. A large fireworks display brings the days of revelry to a close.

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In Mijas Pueblo the fiestas in honour of the Virgen de la Peña take place in the second week of September. On the first day a gaudy parade of "gigantes and cabezudos" travels through the main streets of the village to the sound of musical bands that accompany the crowded entourage. On 8 September, the day of the patron saint, the Virgen de la Peña is conveyed from the parish church to her hermitage after first receiving a floral offering.

There are musical performances every day during the festivals and the most varied activities and competitions for both youngsters and adults. There are dressage exhibitions, ring races for horsemen and a "loco rally" at the Plaza de Toros. Villagers and visitors alike attend the monumental "paellada" (paella banquet) and the traditional dance competitions. A fireworks display announces that the fiesta is over until the same time next year.

For several years now the Plaza de la Virgen de la Peña has been the site of the Día Internacional de los Pueblos (International People’s Day), which consists of multicultural street parties, folklore and ethnic performances and jazz and Celtic music concerts. Visitors have the chance to sample dishes and drinks from every place in the world without leaving the premises. The stands participate in a competition in which prizes are given for various categories.

On Saturdays of July and August, on the seaside promenade sheltered by the Old Tower, La Cala puts on classical music, flamenco or dance shows in a fabulous setting in the moonlight.

Mijas’s Gastronomy

Due to the presence of large numbers of foreign residents this municipality’s cuisine has been expanded with countless dishes that were practically unknown a few years ago in this place, where now one can speak of a cuisine that is representative of the five continents. Nevertheless, the village has preserved its culinary tradition, whose most notable characteristic dishes are salmorejo (a thick cold soup) and soups of widely different kinds, such as maimones (made with bread and olive oil), cachorreñas (made with tart oranges), ajo (garlic) and gazpachuelo (a cold soup). Buñuelos (fritters) and hornazos (a pastry containing a hard-boiled egg) make up this municipality’s native confectionery contribution.
Mijas waits until the second fortnight in July to stage its festivities, which begin with a parade of "gigantes and cabezudos" (giant grotesque figures) in which musical bands, majorettes and the Queen of the Fair and her ladies in waiting also march. There are different musical performances every day in the official booths, while entertainment options are increased by flamenco, sand castle, fishing and masquerade competitions, as well as sports tournaments for golf, clay shooting, indoor football, tennis, etc. It all concludes with a colourful and exciting fireworks display.