The Málaga artist Encarni Navarro is set to tackle a fortnight of concerts at the August Fair. Among her trademarks are personalised t-shirts and her characteristic polka-dotted heels and olives.
The Málaga singer Encarni Navarro is preparing for one of the most intense weeks of the year: the Málaga Fair 2026. With 15 performances scheduled in her agenda, the artist from the Huelin neighbourhood will once again take to the stages to offer her particular 'donation of joy' to the audience. She confirmed this in an interview, where she revealed the details of her planning for these festive days.
Navarro, who combines her passion for music with a strong connection to the city, explained that the Fair represents a marathon of performances concentrated in a single week. Unlike Christmas, which requires months of preparation and a larger team, August is a sprint that demands both physical and mental stamina. "The wear and tear is brutal," she acknowledges, but assures that the energy from the audience is her main fuel: "It’s the audience that gives me strength."
The artist does not hide her excitement when talking about her connection with her followers. "I always say that I’m going to donate joy because that’s what I try to do every time I sing," she states. This philosophy is reflected in each of her performances, where she seeks to convey closeness and fun. For her, the Fair is a format that is "more compact and at the same time more intimate" than Christmas, allowing her to interact more directly with the audience.
One of the most anticipated elements of her concerts is the personalised t-shirts she distributes among the attendees. This year, thanks to her association with Aceites Málaga, she has designed a new edition that she describes as "very Málaga, very fun, and very personal." The artist jokes that "anything that’s free is liked by people," but clarifies that they will ration the distribution to reach as many people as possible.
In addition to the t-shirts, Encarni Navarro's heels have become a hallmark. With a unique design featuring polka dots and olives, these shoes have been part of her wardrobe for several years. "They are my Fair babies," she confesses, and assures that they provide her with the stability needed to feel secure on stage. After not finding comfortable footwear, she decided to create her own model, which is now recognisable to her audience.
The singer has also reflected on her relationship with the Fair and Christmas, two seasons that mark her calendar. Rather than pitting them against each other, she experiences them as opportunities to showcase different facets of her art. While Christmas is a larger, more family-oriented spectacle, the Fair is more intimate and close. "I couldn’t choose one; it would hurt to leave one behind because they are both my two hearts," she comments, as if she had to choose between two loves.
For the people of Málaga, Encarni Navarro's presence at the Fair is already a tradition. Her performances are spread across different points in the city, although the artist has not detailed the exact schedule. What she has made clear is that her goal is to make the Málaga audience and visitors who come to the capital during these dates enjoy themselves.
The Málaga Fair 2026 officially kicks off on Friday, August 14, and runs until Saturday, August 22. During those days, the city fills with booths, concerts, and activities for all audiences. Encarni Navarro joins a programme that includes other local and national artists, but she prefers to focus on her own journey: "As long as it’s singing for and about Málaga, there’s Encarnita."
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