Malaga Flamenco Festival 2023
Malaga is one of the main centres for flamenco in Andalusia. The city celebrates a flamenco bienal, every two years (next one is in 2025) and an annual Flamenco Festival. The latter is mainly aimed at professionals and amateurs who wish to learn from the best, but there are also concerts and a flamenco flashmob.
Bienal de Flamenco
2023 welcomes the celebration of the VIII Bienal de Flamenco in Malaga, with big names performing in the city and towns and villages in the province. The Bienal de Flamenco takes place from 29 April to 27 May 2023.
Malaga city has two main locations for the concerts:
- The Auditorio Edgar Neville in the DiputaciĂłn building on the western seafront – Google map link here. Get here by walking from the centre along the western seafront until you see a modern glass building on your right. Or take the No 7 bus from the south side of the Alameda Principal and get off at the Santa Paula stop.
- MVA Cultural Centre on Calle OllerĂas in the north of the old quarter.
The main events include:
- ¡Ay! Mujer flamenca – photography exhibition by Ana Torralva, showcasing portraits of the most important women flamenco performers in Spain at the moment. You can see the exhibition at the MVA Cultural Centre from 29 April until the end of the Bienal. Free entry.
- Opening Gala – award-winning dancer Manuel Liñán and local legend Carrete take to the stage at the Auditorio Edgar Neville at 8pm on 29 April for the opening gala performance. Expect to see traditional and innovative flamenco dancing on the stage at this must-see performance. Tickets cost €24.
- Recelo – this dance performance reflects on the different types of ‘recelo’ (fear, worry, suspiscion…) led by dancers Rafael RamĂrez and Florencia Oz. At the Auditorio Edgar Neville on 22 May at 8pm. Tickets cost €15.
- Acto I – brings together local flamenco artists, led by dancer Cristian MartĂn on 23 May at 8pm in the Auditorio Edgar Neville at 8pm. Tickets cost €15.
- Comadres – local singer Chelo Soto and dancer Ana Pastrana offer a performance mixing dance, song and prose with musical accompaniement. MVA Cultural Centre on 24 May and 25 May at 8pm. Tickets cost €15.
- Origen – this performance takes in all sorts of flamenco styles in dance, song and music, and closes the Bienal. See it at the Auditorio Edgar Neville on 26 May at 8.30pm. Tickets cost €18.
More information and links to buy tickets online here.
Malaga Flamenco Festival
The Malaga Flamenco Festival brings some of the best names to the city. Expect to see big talents in music – singing, guitars and clapping as well as dancers and a record-breaking flashmob.
This year’s guest countries are the US and China. The event takes place between 26 June and 2 July and forms part of the IX International Flamenco Seminar.
For more information, read the official programme (in Spanish only).
Main Malaga Flamenco Festival events
Flamenco concerts
The city welcomes a long list of huge flamenco talents for two free concerts during Malaga Flamenco Festival. Some of Spain’s best singers will perform with true maestros on guitar. Expect a magical atmosphere with spine-tingling music against the floodlit backdrop of the Roman Theatre and Alcazaba Fortress. And under the stars!
The free concerts take place on Calle Alcazabilla at 10pm on Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July.
Top tip: there will be 1,000 seats out for both concerts as well as standing room. But as always in Malaga, get there early because you won’t be the only ones hoping to enjoy some amazing flamenco.
Saturday
• Samuel Serrano accompanied by Paco León on guitar.
• Antonia Contreras (winner of La Lámpara Minera in 2016) with Juan Ramón Caro on guitar.
• Argentina with José Quevedo on guitar.
• Antonio El Pipa and his dance group.
DISCOVER MORE THINGS TO DO IN MALAGA
Flamenco fashion show
See the latest trends in flamenco outfits at what promises to be a very colourful and lively catwalk. To be confirmed.
Flamenco while you dine
Bars and restaurants in Malaga city centre will be offering flamenco concerts (music, song and dance) while you dine on. Vino Mio is one of the them, others to be confirmed.
Book dinner with a flamenco show in Malaga
Flamenco flashmob
Perhaps the most fun event of this year’s Malaga Flamenco Festival aims to set the world record for people dancing flamenco at the same time. This year’s theme is still pending. We’ll keep you updated on the choreography.
For a taster, here’s what happened in 2018 when over 3,900 dancers took part. Two top dancers – Antonio de VerĂłnica and Saray CortĂ©s – created the moves and shot the video in the lovely Carmen Thyssen Museum patio). Take a look!
See them attempt the world record on Calle Larios on Sunday 2 July at noon.
Special interest events
The IX International Flamenco Seminar celebrates the best of flamenco talent and aims to pass this on to amateurs and professionals in the city. Master classes in all the flamenco types take place throughout the festival. And you don’t necessarily have to sing, play or dance to take part – places for spectators are also available.
Year-round flamenco in Malaga
If you’re not in town for the Malaga Flamenco Festival, you can still take in some great flamenco during your stay in the city. Check out our dedicated post on where to see the best flamenco in Malaga.
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