No matter how small, the villages in the Axarquía region nearly all have their own celebrations whether religious, secular or simply traditional, the roots of these celebrations are in the region’s history, the agriculture and the sea, going back to the beginning of time. Chronologically, the first feast day is Candlemas on February 2nd with special celebrations in Colmenar, Benagalbón, Rincón de la Victoria, Torrox and Frigiliana. The light of the bonfires is the main feature of this feast. After Candlemas we have Holy Week to commemorate the Passion of Christ with processions in all the villages of the region. In Riogordo the whole village enacts the Passion. From the beginning of May until summer there are popular romerias (pilgrimages) to local shrines or sanctuaries on the feast days of a Saint or Virgin. Here are some of the local romerias : San Antonio in Torrox ; San Isidro in Nerja, Almachar, Lomas de la Vaca, and Frigiliana ; San Marcos in El Borge and Alfarnate, Alcázar and Alcaucín, and the feast of the Patroness in Colmenar. The May Crosses are celebrated on May 3rd in Vélez. All the villages celebrate the day of their Patron Saint or some other religious feast day during the summer months. The feast of the Virgen del Carmen is in July. It is celebrated in all the coastal villages like Rincón de la Victoria. The virgin is taken in procession out to sea to bless the waters ; Judas Iscariot is burnt on bonfires on the night of San Juan, there is a Moors and Christians pageant in Alfarnate and Benadalid. In Competa the night of the 15th of August is the night of the wine and in Comares they celebrate the night of candles in September. In the summer there are also flamenco festivals, folk dances, the "Verdiales" which are especially popular in villages such as Vélez-Málaga, Colmenar, Comares and Macharaviaya. In August there is a festival of classic Spanish music and ballet in the caves of Nerja. In December the villages of Torrox invites everyone to try their local "migas", this feast closes the annual calendar of feast days.
The Axarquía has a wealth of traditions whose roots come from a special idiosyncrasy ; the traditions are part of a way of life, they come out of the villages, their customs and celebrations. They are based on every day occurrences like cultivating the vine, making their wine, drying their raisins ; preparing their varied gastronomy, their festivals and religious celebrations ; their crafts ; their Verdiales ; their folk songs and dances.