Arenas shows off 150 mules and donkeys at traditional October fair

Arenas will host the 29th Feria de la Mula from Saturday, October 10 to Monday, October 12, bringing around 150 mules and other equines to the Axarquia village during Spain’s October holiday weekend.

Mules take centre stage in Arenas

Monday will be the main day, with animals arriving from across Andalucia, Extremadura, Madrid, Murcia and Barcelona, plus two families travelling from France. Muleteers will receive €10 for every registered mule, while horses, mares, donkeys and ponies will also be on display.

Registration starts at 10am at the equine enclosure, followed at 10.30am by the 2026 Feria de la Mula photography competition. A traditional demonstration of loading, grooming and shoeing starts at noon, before the official ceremony at 1pm.

Visitors can then tuck into a popular and shared lunch of migas, and essential and traditional dish of the area, at 2pm for a €1 donation, with the money going to social and charitable groups in Arenas. Live music from Leo, Elisa Ariza and El Mauro starts at 3pm.

Three days of traditional entertainment

Saturday gets the fair underway at noon with a cattle release in a portable ring, accompanied by the Agrupacion Musical Bentomiz. A rural-themed afternoon continues with the Coro Rociero de Arenas and Enrique Ontiveros at 2pm, followed by a comic bullring show at 5.30pm.

Muladance takes over from 11.45pm, with DJs Toulalan and Kike Freestyle DJ providing the late-night music.

Sunday has a flamenco focus, starting at 9pm with Cristina Gallardo’s dance academy and the Arenas zambomba group. A tribute to rural women follows, before Aire Flamenco closes the night.

Free bus from Velez-Malaga

A Mulabus will connect Velez-Malaga, Arenas and Los Vados on Monday, helping visitors reach the main celebrations. The service is free, with a requested €1 donation going to Asociacion Esperanza.

Organisers say the long-running fair celebrates the mule’s role in Axarquia farming, including the difficult Moscatel grape harvest on steep terraces. Local wine and folk traditions will feature prominently throughout the weekend.