Granada International Festival of Music and Dance 2026

Background & History

• Origins: The Granada International Festival of Music and Dance traces its roots to 1883, when symphony concerts were first held at the Palace of Charles V during the Corpus Christi festivities, introducing Granada to large-scale European orchestral music.
• Cante Jondo Competition: In 1922, a significant milestone occurred with the Cante Jondo Competition, organized by Federico García Lorca, Manuel de Falla, and other intellectuals like Andrés Segovia and Fernando de los Ríos. This event celebrated flamenco’s deep cultural roots, cementing Granada’s status as a hub for Andalusian arts.
• Official Founding: Established in 1952 as the “First Festival of Spanish Music and Dance” under the patronage of Spain’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Culture, and Information and Tourism, the festival aimed to showcase Spanish artistic heritage. It adopted its current name in 1953, with the inauguration of the cypress theater in the Generalife Gardens for dance performances.
• Growth Over Time: Over seven decades, the festival has evolved into one of Spain’s most prestigious cultural events, hosting world-renowned artists like Artur Rubinstein, Victoria de los Ángeles, Herbert von Karajan, Margot Fonteyn, and Rudolf Nureyev. It now features over 100 shows annually, blending classical music, opera, ballet, contemporary dance, and flamenco.
• Cultural Significance: The festival is a celebration of Granada’s rich heritage, blending Moorish, Spanish, and global artistic traditions. Its iconic venues, such as the Alhambra and Generalife, enhance its prestige, making it a UNESCO-recognized cultural landmark. It fosters both established and emerging talent, ensuring a vibrant future for the arts.
• Educational Legacy: Since 1970, the Manuel de Falla Courses have provided high-level training, attracting 124 students in 2025 for workshops, masterclasses, and performances, reinforcing the festival’s role as an educational hub.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances:
  • Over 136 shows, including 41 official performances of symphonic concerts, opera, ballet, contemporary dance, and flamenco, featuring artists like Eva Yerbabuena, Manuel Liñán, and Israel Fernández.
  • FEX (Festival Extension) offers over 60 free concerts, workshops, and performances across Granada’s streets, squares, and municipalities, engaging diverse audiences.
  • Manuel de Falla Courses include 11 academic activities, such as 5 courses, 3 masterclasses, 2 workshops, and the Baroque Academy, culminating in public performances.
• Special Traditions or Features:
  • Performances in historic venues like the Generalife Theatre, Palace of Charles V, and Corral del Carbón, blending art with Granada’s Moorish heritage.
  • The festival’s commitment to flamenco, highlighted by shows like Manuel Liñán’s “Muerta de Amor,” celebrates Andalusian culture and innovation.
  • Ópera Kids, an educational project for children based on Rossini’s Cinderella, promotes early engagement with the arts.
  • A charitable concert by the World Monuments Fund supports cultural heritage preservation.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors:
  • Immersive performances under the stars in the Alhambra’s courtyards, creating a magical atmosphere.
  • Free FEX activities, such as street performances, photography workshops, and inclusive arts events, make the festival accessible to all.
  • The Baroque Academy’s final concert, featuring Monteverdi’s works, may tour other Spanish festivals, offering a unique cultural experience.
  • Opportunities to engage with Granada’s vibrant cultural scene, including visits to nearby flamenco venues and historic sites.

Date & Duration

• Dates: June 18 – July 17, 2026 (projected based on 2025 dates: June 19 – July 13, 2025)
• Duration: 30 days
• Opening Hours: Varies by event; evening performances typically start at 10:00 PM (e.g., Generalife Theatre shows), matinee concerts at 12:30 PM (e.g., Hospital Real).

Venue / Location

• City: Granada, Spain
• Main Venues:
  • Palace of Charles V: Hosts symphonic concerts and major performances, known for its Renaissance architecture within the Alhambra.
  • Generalife Theatre: An open-air cypress theater for ballet and flamenco, offering stunning views.
  • Corral del Carbón: A 14th-century Moorish courtyard for intimate flamenco and chamber music.
  • Palacio de los Córdova: A historic venue for diverse performances, blending Renaissance and Moorish styles.
  • Crucero del Hospital Real: Hosts matinee concerts, part of the University of Granada.
  • Citywide FEX Venues: Includes public squares, patios, theaters, and municipalities across Granada province.
• Notable Areas:
  • Alhambra’s Nasrid Palaces and gardens provide a UNESCO World Heritage backdrop for select performances.
  • Sacromonte and Albaicín districts host FEX street performances, immersing visitors in Granada’s cultural neighborhoods.
• Google Maps Address: Corral del Carbón, C/ Mariana Pineda, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain (administrative office and key venue)

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold:
  • Online via granadafestival.org or redentradas.com.
  • On-site at the Corral del Carbón box office (+34 958 22 18 44).
  • Packages available for multiple shows; group bookings via info@granadafestival.org.
• Admission Type:
  • Paid for official festival shows; free for FEX activities and select concerts.
• Ticket Pricing (USD):
  • General Admission: $27–$108 (based on 2024 pricing, €25–€100).
  • Concessions (Students, Seniors, Disabled): Discounts available, typically 10–20% off, starting at $21.60.
  • Children’s Events (Ópera Kids): $10–$20 for special performances.
  • FEX Events: Free admission for over 60 activities.
  • Group Packages: Custom pricing, contact box office for details.
• Minimum and Maximum Ticket Pricing:
  • Minimum: $0 (FEX events, select free concerts).
  • Maximum: $108 (premium seats for major performances).
• Special Seating or VIP Options:
  • Premium seating in venues like the Generalife Theatre and Palace of Charles V, offering optimal views.
  • VIP packages may include guided tours of the Alhambra or meet-and-greet with artists, priced upon request.
  • Patronage Circle membership offers priority booking and exclusive events; contact info@granadafestival.org for details.

Contact Information

• Email:
  • General Inquiries: info.granadafestival@gmail.com
  • FEX Proposals: propuestasfex@granadafestival.org
  • Manuel de Falla Courses: cursos@granadafestival.org
  • Press: ofi@granadafestival.org
• Phone:
  • Box Office: +34 958 22 18 44
  • General Inquiries: +34 958 276 200
  • Manuel de Falla Courses: +34 661 672 366 (María Victoria Montes)
  • FEX Coordinator: +34 671 435 239 (Ana Díaz)
• Website: granadafestival.org
• Social Media:
  • Instagram: @granadafestival
  • Twitter/X: @FestivalGranada
  • Facebook: @FestivalGranada
• Key Staff:
  • Artistic Director: Paolo Pinamonti (2025 debut, likely continuing in 2026).
  • FEX Coordinator: Ana Díaz
  • Courses Coordinator: María Victoria Montes
• Press/Volunteers:
  • Press: Contact Antonio Moral at ofi@granadafestival.org or +34 958 276 200.
  • Volunteers: Email info@granadafestival.org for opportunities (details TBD).
• Response Time: 24–48 hours; English and Spanish support available.

Cultural Experience

• Traditions:
  • The festival celebrates Granada’s Andalusian heritage, blending Moorish, Spanish, and global influences through music and dance.
  • Flamenco, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a cornerstone, with performances showcasing cante (singing), baile (dance), and toque (guitar).
  • The Cante Jondo legacy continues, honoring traditional flamenco’s emotional depth.
• Music:
  • Features classical (Bach, Verdi, Ravel), opera (La Traviata), flamenco, jazz, and baroque music (Monteverdi via the Baroque Academy).
  • Performances by renowned artists like the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada and emerging talents like Ángeles Toledano.
• Costumes:
  • Flamenco dancers wear traditional attire: women in vibrant trajes de flamenca with ruffles and polka dots, men in fitted suits or traje corto.
  • Classical ballet performers don elegant costumes, from tutus to tailored suits, reflecting the production’s aesthetic.
• Local Customs:
  • Visitors engage with Granada’s vibrant street culture during FEX events, mingling with locals in historic neighborhoods like Albaicín.
  • Respectful audience behavior is expected, especially in sacred venues like the Alhambra, with no flash photography or loud disruptions.
  • Post-performance socializing in Granada’s tapas bars is a cherished local tradition.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties:
  • Tapas: Granada’s famous free tapas with drinks, including patatas bravas, albóndigas (meatballs), and pescaíto frito (fried fish).
  • Andalusian Dishes: Try gazpacho (cold tomato soup), jamon ibérico, and piononos (sweet pastries from Santa Fe).
  • FEX Street Food: Vendors at FEX events offer local snacks like churros con chocolate and empanadas.
• Beverage Highlights:
  • Local Wines: Granada’s vino costa and Rioja reds are popular at venue bars and nearby restaurants.
  • Tinto de Verano: A refreshing mix of red wine and lemon soda, a Granada staple.
  • Non-Alcoholic: Horchata (tiger nut milk) and fresh orange juice are widely available.
  • Coffee Culture: Enjoy café con leche or cortado at festival cafes or Albaicín’s historic tea houses (teterías).

Getting There

• Nearest Airports:
  • Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport (GRX): 12 miles away, 20–30 minutes by taxi ($25–$40) or bus ($3–$5).
  • Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP): 85 miles away, 90 minutes by car ($100–$150) or bus ($15–$25, ALSA).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Local buses (www.transportesrober.es) connect central Granada to venues; key routes include C1 and C2 for Alhambra access ($1.50).
  • Taxi: Radio Taxi Granada (+34 958 280 000) offers rides from city center to venues ($5–$10).
  • Train: Granada Railway Station connects to Madrid and Barcelona; a 10-minute taxi ride to venues ($8–$12).
• Parking:
  • Limited parking at Alhambra venues; pre-book via alhambra-patronato.es ($10–$15/day).
  • City center car parks (e.g., Plaza Puerta Real) are a 5–10-minute walk to venues ($15–$20/day).
• Accessibility:
  • Most venues are wheelchair-accessible; the Alhambra offers shuttle services for mobility-impaired visitors.
  • Assistance dogs permitted; contact info@granadafestival.org for support.

Accommodation Options

• Luxury Hotels:
  • Hotel Alhambra Palace: 0.5 miles from Alhambra venues, historic luxury with views, $150–$300/night.
  • Parador de Granada: Inside the Alhambra, unique heritage stay, $200–$400/night.
• Mid-Range Hotels:
  • Hotel Saray: 1 mile from city center, modern with pool, $80–$150/night.
  • Eurostars Catedral: Near Corral del Carbón, stylish rooms, $90–$160/night.
• Budget Options:
  • Hostal Rodri: Central location, cozy and affordable, $40–$80/night.
  • Nest Style Granada: Modern hostel, 0.5 miles from venues, $30–$60/night.
• Airbnb and Apartments:
  • Albaicín and Realejo districts offer apartments ($50–$150/night) with historic charm.
  • Book early for June–July, as festival demand is high.
• Booking Tips:
  • Use granadafestival.org for event-specific packages.
  • Stay in Albaicín or city center for proximity to FEX events and nightlife.