Suma Flamenca Festival 2025 – Madrid, Spain

Background and History

The Suma Flamenca Festival, launched in 2005, is one of the world’s most prestigious flamenco festivals, organized by the Community of Madrid. Held annually in Madrid, the 20th edition in 2025, under the artistic direction of Antonio Benamargo (sixth consecutive year), will celebrate flamenco’s creative tension between “Tradition & Vanguard.” In 2024, the festival featured 46 performances, including 17 world premieres and 18 Madrid premieres, across multiple venues, as noted on www.madrid.org and www.esmadrid.com.

It has showcased over 200 young artists alongside international stars, solidifying its status as a global flamenco hub. The festival includes Suma Flamenca Joven, a prelude dedicated to artists under 30, held September 25–28, 2025.

Theme and Focus

The 2025 Suma Flamenca centers on “Tradition & Vanguard,” highlighting flamenco’s evolution through innovative and traditional performances. The festival features guitar, cante (singing), and baile (dance), blending established artists with emerging talents. Suma Flamenca Joven emphasizes young performers, showcasing their freshness and audacity, while the main festival explores bold, contemporary flamenco expressions, as per www.teatromadrid.com and www.expoflamenco.com.

Event Highlights

The 20th Suma Flamenca, running October 14–November 2, 2025, will feature 46 flamenco galas across Madrid’s venues:

• Main Festival (October 14–November 2):
  • 46 performances, including 17 world premieres and 18 Madrid premieres.
  • Venues: Teatros del Canal (main hub), Teatro de la Abadía, Ateneo de Madrid, Teatro Real Coliseo Carlos III (San Lorenzo de El Escorial), Real Monasterio de El Paular (Rascafría), Centro Comarcal de Humanidades (La Cabrera), Pilar Miró and Paco Rabal Cultural Centers (Vallecas).
  • Key performances (2024 examples, 2025 TBD): Daily shows at Teatros del Canal (Sala Roja, Sala Verde), October 14–19, 19:00, featuring guitarists, singers, and dancers.
• Suma Flamenca Joven (September 25–28, Sala Verde, Teatros del Canal):
  • Gala I (September 25, 20:30): José Luis Kaele (piano, Valladolid), Reyes Carrasco (cantaora, Sevilla), Irene Morales (bailaora, Granada).
  • Gala II (September 26, 20:30): Andjela Misic (guitar, Serbia), Esperanza Garrido (cantaora, Granada), Nerea Carrasco (bailaora, Madrid).
  • Gala III (September 27, 20:30): Pablo Heredia (guitar, Cádiz), David Fernández (cantaor, Sevilla), Lole de los Reyes (bailaora, Sevilla).
  • Gala IV (September 28, 19:30): Juan Anguita (guitar, Sevilla), Celia Romero (cantaora, Badajoz), Yoel Vargas (bailaor, Tarragona).
  • Duration: ~1.5 hours per gala.
• Ateneo de Madrid (October 1–4):
  • Exhibition: “Duende, Tradition and Avant-Garde” by Ana Torralva, October 1–29, Sala de exposiciones “Anselma” (free, 11:00–14:00, 17:00–20:00, closed Mondays).
  • Events:
    • October 1: Roundtable “Tradition and Vanguardia” (20:00, moderated by Pedro Calvo), performance by Salvador Gutiérrez (guitar, Sevilla) and Daniel Suárez (percussion, 20:50).
    • October 2: Lecture “El flamenco, antes y después del flamenco” by Pedro G. Romero, performance by Sebastián Cruz (cantaor, Huelva) with Raúl Cantizano (guitar) and Marco Serrato (contrabass, 20:40).
    • October 3: Lecture “¿Qué hay de nuevo, viejo? Todo está inventado” by José Manuel Gamboa, performance by Al-Blanco & El Peli (cantaor, Málaga; guitarist, Alicante, 20:40).
    • October 4: Lecture “Tradition & Vanguardia. La Fin der Mundo” by José Luis Ortiz Nuevo, performance by Alejandro Hurtado (guitar, Alicante, 20:40).
• Parallel Activities: Workshops, masterclasses, and exhibitions across venues, enhancing flamenco’s cultural scope.

Awards

Suma Flamenca does not feature competitive awards but honors artists through curated performances and special recognitions (e.g., 2024 featured Lucía Ruibal). Selected shows gain visibility for international tours, as per www.worldmusiccentral.org.

Dates and Duration

• Main Festival: October 14–November 2, 2025 (confirmed by www.madrid.org).
• Suma Flamenca Joven: September 25–28, 2025.
• Duration: 20 days (main festival), 4 days (Joven).
• Ticket Sales: TBD, typically from September 1, 2025, via www.teatroscanal.com or www.madrid.org.
• Submission Deadline: TBD, contact sumaflamenca@outlook.com.

Main Address

• Primary Venue: Teatros del Canal, Calle de Cea Bermúdez, 1, 28003 Madrid, Spain (main hub, Sala Roja, Sala Verde).

All Venues

• Teatros del Canal: Calle de Cea Bermúdez, 1, 28003 Madrid (Sala Roja: 843 seats, Sala Verde: 778 seats, Sala Negra: 180 seats, main festival and Joven).
• Teatro de la Abadía: Calle Fernández de los Ríos, 42, 28015 Madrid (theatre performances, capacity ~300).
• Ateneo de Madrid: Calle del Prado, 21, 28014 Madrid (exhibitions, lectures, performances, capacity ~200).
• Teatro Real Coliseo Carlos III: Calle Floridablanca, 20, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial (historical venue, capacity ~400).
• Real Monasterio de El Paular: M-604, km 28, 28741 Rascafría (unique setting, capacity ~100).
• Centro Comarcal de Humanidades Sierra Norte: Av. de la Cabrera, 96, 28751 La Cabrera (cultural center, capacity ~200).
• Pilar Miró Cultural Centre: Plaza Antonio María Segovia, s/n, 28031 Madrid (Vallecas, capacity ~200).
• Paco Rabal Cultural Centre: Calle Felipe de Diego, 13, 28018 Madrid (Vallecas, capacity ~200).
• Cuarta Pared: Calle Ercilla, 17, 28005 Madrid (alternative theatre, capacity ~150).
• Note: Venues are spread across Madrid and its region; most are accessible via metro (e.g., Canal, L2/L7 for Teatros del Canal).

Contact Information

• Administrative Office: C/ Alcalá, 31, 28014 Madrid, Spain.
• Email: comunicacion.espaciosarte@madrid.org, sumaflamenca@outlook.com
• Website: www.madrid.org/sumaflamenca
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/CulturaComunidadMadrid
  • Twitter: www.twitter.com/CulturaCMadrid
• Tourist Info: www.esmadrid.com, www.spain.info
• Ticket Inquiries: www.teatroscanal.com, +34 913 08 99 99 (Teatros del Canal).
• Press: Nico García (prensa@teatroscanal.com).
• Organizers: Community of Madrid (President: Isabel Díaz Ayuso, Culture Minister: Mariano de Paco Serrano).

Ticket Information

• Pricing (1 EUR ≈ 1.10 USD, estimated based on past editions and www.teatromadrid.com):
  • Individual Ticket: €20–€40 ($22–$44) per performance (varies by venue, show).
  • Suma Flamenca Joven Tickets: €10–€20 ($11–$22, Sala Verde, based on 2024).
  • Festival Pass: TBD (~€100–€150/$110–$165, may include multiple shows).
  • Free Events: Select exhibitions (e.g., Ateneo de Madrid) and outdoor performances (TBD).
• Discounts (2024 examples, 2025 TBD):
  • Students/Under 26: ~20% off (e.g., €8–€16/$8.80–$17.60 for Joven).
  • Seniors (Over 65): ~20% off.
  • Groups (10+): TBD (~€15–€30/$16.50–$33).
• Purchase Information:
  • Online: www.teatroscanal.com, www.madrid.org/sumaflamenca (expected from September 1, 2025).
  • On-Site: Teatros del Canal box office (Calle de Cea Bermúdez, 1, hours TBD, typically 14:30–21:00), other venue box offices.
  • Accessibility: Reserved seats for mobility-impaired or disabled attendees; book via +34 913 08 99 99 or www.teatroscanal.com.
  • Notes: Tickets for popular shows (e.g., Sala Roja premieres) sell out quickly. Joven galas are more affordable. Check www.madrid.org in August 2025 for confirmed prices.

Cultural Experience

Suma Flamenca transforms Madrid into a global flamenco capital, blending traditional and avant-garde performances in historic and modern venues. From the intimate Sala Verde to the scenic Real Monasterio de El Paular, the festival offers an immersive experience of cante, baile, and guitar. Visitors can explore Madrid’s tapas bars, museums, and plazas like Puerta del Sol between shows, immersing themselves in Spain’s vibrant cultural tapestry.

Food and Drinks

• Tapas: Patatas bravas, croquetas (~$5.50–$11). Try at Casa Lucio (Calle Cava Baja, 35, 28005 Madrid).
• Flamenco-Inspired Menus: Jamón ibérico, tortilla española (~$8.80–$16.50). At Taberna Los Gallos (Calle de la Puebla, 15, 28004 Madrid).
• Vino Tinto: Spanish red wine (~$5.50/glass). At Bodega de la Ardosa (Calle de Colón, 13, 28004 Madrid).
• Churros con Chocolate: (~$4.40). At Chocolatería San Ginés (Pasadizo de San Ginés, 5, 28013 Madrid).
• Gazpacho: Cold soup (~$6.60). At La Casa del Abuelo (Calle de la Victoria, 12, 28012 Madrid). Visit La Latina or Chueca districts near Teatros del Canal for dining.

Family and Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: Suma Flamenca Joven (September 25–28) suits older children and teens with vibrant performances. Some parallel events may be free for under 12 (TBD).
• Accessibility: Teatros del Canal (Sala Roja, Verde) offers wheelchair access and reserved seats (book via +34 913 08 99 99). Smaller venues (e.g., Ateneo de Madrid) may have limited accessibility; contact comunicacion.espaciosarte@madrid.org. Madrid’s metro system is mostly accessible (Canal, L2/L7).

Getting There

• By Air: Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD, 15 km, ~$22 taxi or $5.50 metro to Canal). Barcelona (BCN, 600 km, $110 train).
• By Train: Atocha Station (Renfe, Barcelona ~2.5 hr, $44; Seville ~2.5 hr, $33). Metro to Canal (L2/L7, $2.20, 15 min).
• By Bus: ALSA from Barcelona (8 hr, $44) or Seville (6 hr, $33) to Estación Sur, then metro to Canal ($2.20, 20 min).
• By Car: A-1 or A-2 to Madrid. Park near Teatros del Canal (~$2.20–$4.40/day). Note ZTL restrictions in Chamberí.
• Public Transport: Metro (Canal, L2/L7, $2.20), buses (2, 3, 12, 37, $1.65), or taxis (~$5.50–$11) to Teatros del Canal. Venues are metro-accessible.

Program Overview

• September 25–28, 2025 (Suma Flamenca Joven, Sala Verde, Teatros del Canal):
  • September 25, 20:30: Gala I (José Luis Kaele, Reyes Carrasco, Irene Morales).
  • September 26, 20:30: Gala II (Andjela Misic, Esperanza Garrido, Nerea Carrasco).
  • September 27, 20:30: Gala III (Pablo Heredia, David Fernández, Lole de los Reyes).
  • September 28, 19:30: Gala IV (Juan Anguita, Celia Romero, Yoel Vargas).
• October 1–4, 2025 (Ateneo de Madrid):
  • Exhibition (October 1–29), roundtables, lectures, and performances (Salvador Gutiérrez, Sebastián Cruz, Al-Blanco & El Peli, Alejandro Hurtado).
• October 14–November 2, 2025 (Main Festival):
  • Daily performances (19:00–21:00, Teatros del Canal, other venues).
  • Premieres and shows across Sala Roja, Sala Verde, and regional venues.
  • Workshops, masterclasses, and exhibitions (TBD).
• Note: Full 2025 program TBD; check www.madrid.org/sumaflamenca in August 2025.

Notable Features

• Tradition & Vanguard: Balances classic and innovative flamenco.
• Suma Flamenca Joven: Showcases artists under 30, fostering new talent.
• Global Reach: Features performers from Spain, Serbia, and beyond.
• Multiple Venues: From urban Teatros del Canal to rural Real Monasterio de El Paular.
• Exhibition: “Duende, Tradition and Avant-Garde” enhances cultural depth.

Accommodation Tips

• NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding: Calle de Padre Damián, 23, 28036 Madrid (~$88–$165/night), near Teatros del Canal.
• Hotel Nuevo Madrid: Calle Bausá, 27, 28036 Madrid (~$55–$110/night), budget-friendly.
• Hostal Residencia Don Diego: Calle de Velázquez, 45, 28001 Madrid (~$44–$88/night), central. Book early for October, as Madrid fills during the festival. Check www.esmadrid.com for packages.

Planning Assistance

• Recommendations: Attend Suma Flamenca Joven (September 25–28) for affordable, vibrant performances. Catch a world premiere at Teatros del Canal’s Sala Roja. Visit the Ateneo exhibition for free cultural immersion. Explore La Latina for tapas post-show.
• Navigating Tickets: Buy tickets from September 1, 2025, at www.teatroscanal.com or www.madrid.org. Joven tickets (~$11–$22) are budget-friendly. Book early for premieres.
• Exploring Madrid: Visit Puerta del Sol or Prado Museum (20-minute metro from Canal). Enjoy churros at Chocolatería San Ginés.
• Tips: Dress for mild October weather (~15°C/59°F). Allow 30 minutes between venues. Monitor www.madrid.org for 2025 program updates (expected August).