The Noche en Vela of Vélez-Málaga reaches its most crowded edition with 50,000 attendees. The historic centre was filled with music, crafts, and activities for all ages.
This year, the Noche en Vela of Vélez-Málaga has recorded its highest public attendance since its inception. Initial estimates, pending the final data from the deployed devices, place the number at around 50,000 people who roamed the historic centre during the celebration.
The historic centre transformed into a large cultural and social space, with crowds throughout the night in the ten areas where the programme was distributed. The offerings included major concerts, crafts, commerce, and numerous performing arts proposals.
The councillor for Popular Traditions, Lourdes Piña, noted that the data confirms that the event “has reached a new dimension” and that it can now be considered “one of the major cultural and tourist events in the province of Málaga.” Piña emphasised that “the most important thing is not only the number of people who came but how the night was experienced: with our streets full, our squares full, our shops and artisans working, and thousands of people enjoying our heritage.”
The programme was organised into ten distinct areas, with specific spaces for families, seniors, and young people. The youth audience particularly concentrated in the Cerro and the Fortaleza, which saw significant attendance. Music was one of the main highlights, with concerts by David De María and Gonzalo Hermida as the main performances, complemented by performing arts shows spread across streets and squares.
The councillor for Culture, Alicia Ramírez, highlighted that “this Noche en Vela is for Vélez-Málaga and by Vélez-Málaga” and that “it is a city project that transcends any government.” She also recalled “who had the vision to launch it and who has been committed to improving it over time.”
The event featured a broad municipal operation, coordinated by the departments of Popular Traditions, Culture, and Historic Centre, alongside Operational Services, Cleaning, and Security. The Local Police and Civil Protection participated in the operation, along with mobility and assistance services.
Local associations, brotherhoods, guilds, and community groups were involved in the installation and management of bars, helping to expand the offerings and generate resources for their own activities. The Noche en Vela is consolidating as a key cultural and tourist event in the province, with heritage as the central theme.
You may also like
