WOMEX 26 – Worldwide Music Expo 2026 – Spain
Overview
WOMEX 26 (Worldwide Music Expo) is the most international and culturally diverse music meeting in the world, serving as the premier networking hub for the global folk, roots, ethnic, and traditional music scenes. Returning to the sun-drenched shores of Gran Canaria for its 32nd edition, this five-day event serves as a professional bridge for more than 2,600 delegates from over 90 countries. The expo combines a massive trade fair with a bustling conference program and a world-class showcase festival, making it the essential annual gathering for the global music community to forge new partnerships and celebrate sonic diversity.
The daytime activities are centered at the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, a stunning architectural landmark perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, which hosts the trade fair, film screenings, and mentoring sessions. As the sun sets, the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria transforms into a vibrant festival stage, with nighttime showcases featuring over 60 acts across multiple indoor and outdoor venues. From innovation to tradition, and from acoustic to electronic, WOMEX 26 offers an unparalleled spectrum of sounds that represent every continent and musical corner of the globe.
Event Highlights
- The WOMEX Trade Fair: A central business hub featuring over 700 exhibiting companies and thousands of professionals representing labels, booking agencies, and festivals.
- Showcase Festival: High-energy evening performances across seven stages where hand-picked international artists perform for key industry decision-makers.
- World Soundtrack & Film Program: A curated selection of documentaries and films that portray global music movements, histories, and cultural identities.
- Conference and Mentoring: A series of over 20 conference sessions and expert-led mentoring roundtables designed to shape new ideas and share practical industry expertise.
Why Attend
WOMEX 26 is a mandatory event for music professionals who want to expand their reach into the international market and connect with a truly global network. It provides an exclusive opportunity for artists to showcase their talent in front of influential buyers, festival programmers, and international press, often leading to global touring opportunities. The expo is designed for those who value cultural exchange and inclusivity, providing a democratic platform where independent musicians and major industry players interact on equal footing.
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This event should be attended by label managers, festival organizers, booking agents, music journalists, and cultural activists from every part of the world. It is also an ideal destination for filmmakers and tech innovators focused on the music industry, as the event highlights the intersection of sound, vision, and technology. If you are looking to immerse yourself in the most vibrant and inclusive segment of the music industry while enjoying the unique hospitality of the Canary Islands, WOMEX 26 is the definitive event of your professional calendar.
Date & Duration
- Start Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- End Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
- Venue: Auditorio Alfredo Kraus (Trade Fair & Conference Hub).
- Google Maps Address: Ctra. del Rincón, s/n, 35010 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain.
Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: Registration is available online through the official WOMEX portal for delegates; public tickets for evening showcases are sold separately.
- Admission Type: Professional Delegate Registration (Full Access) or Public Festival Tickets (Showcases only).
- Ticket Pricing: Individual showcase tickets are approximately $22.00, while full delegate registration starts around $380.00 for early bird bookings.
- Minimum and Maximum Range: $22.00 (Nightly Public Showcase) to $650.00 (Late/On-site Professional Registration).
- Special Seating or VIP Options: Discounted rates are available for “smart” early bird registrations and small delegations from specific under-represented regions.
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Contact Information
- Email: womex@womex.com
- Phone: +49 30 31861430
- Website: www.womex.com
- Social Media:
- https://www.facebook.com/worldmusicexpo
- https://www.instagram.com/womex.expo/
- https://open.spotify.com/user/womex
- https://www.soundcloud.com/womex
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/womex/albums
- https://www.youtube.com/WOMEXpiranha
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/1399406/
Getting There
- Nearest Airports: Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), 25 km from the city center (~25 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes by express bus).
- Public Transport: Bus Line 60 connects the airport to San Telmo and Santa Catalina stations in Las Palmas every 30 minutes (~$3.20).
- Taxi/Rideshare: Taxis from the airport to the city center cost approximately $38.00; local taxi ranks are located directly outside the arrivals hall.
- Parking: Use the public garage at Auditorio Alfredo Kraus (~$18.00 per day); parking in the Las Canteras area is very restricted.
- Other Access: Sitycleta is the city’s public bike-sharing system, perfect for moving between the daytime hub and evening showcase venues along the coast.
Accommodation Options
- Luxury Hotels: Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel (5-star, 2 km, historic landmark with lush gardens, $270-450/night); Hotel Cristina by Tigotan (5-star, 1 km, beachfront on Las Canteras, $210-350/night).
- Mid-Range Options: AC Hotel Gran Canaria (4-star, 0.8 km, iconic tower with panoramic views, $130-220/night); NH Imperial Playa (4-star, 0.5 km, beachfront and modern, $120-190/night).
- Budget Stays: Dona Rose Old Town Hostel (3 km, stylish hostel in the Vegueta district, $65-110/night); Las Palmas Nest Hostel (0.4 km, casual and surf-vibe near the venue, $45-90/night).
Attendee Experiences
- The daytime trade fair is incredibly productive, and walking out to the beach for a meeting is a dream.
- Every night you discover a new favorite band from a country you’ve never even visited before.
- The local atmosphere in Las Palmas is so welcoming, and the Auditorio is one of the most beautiful venues I’ve ever seen.
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
Is the WOMEX program accessible to people who are not music industry professionals?
While the trade fair and conference sessions are strictly for registered professional delegates, the evening showcase festival is open to the general public. Local residents and tourists can purchase "Festival Tickets" that grant access to the nightly concerts across various city venues. This ensures the event remains a celebration of music for the entire community while maintaining a focused business environment during the day.
What language is primarily used during the conference and trade fair?
English is the official lingua franca of WOMEX, and all official conference sessions, mentoring roundtables, and film screenings are conducted in English. However, because the event is so international, you will hear a vast array of languages on the trade fair floor, including Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Most staff at the venue are multilingual and can assist visitors from various linguistic backgrounds.
How do I apply to perform at WOMEX 26 as an artist?
The call for proposals usually opens early in the year and is judged by an independent jury known as the "Seven Samurai." Artists must submit a formal proposal through the official website including a biography, audio tracks, and video of a live performance. It is a highly competitive process, with thousands of applications narrowed down to just over 60 official showcase acts each year.
Are the daytime and nighttime venues within walking distance of each other?
The main daytime hub at the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus is located at one end of Las Canteras beach, while many nighttime venues are scattered around the Santa Catalina and city center areas. Most venues are within a 20-30 minute walk of each other or a short 5-10 minute taxi ride. The city is very walkable, and the coastal promenade provides a scenic route for delegates moving between events.
Does WOMEX provide funding or travel grants for selected artists?
WOMEX is unfortunately unable to cover any travel expenses, visa costs, or performance fees for the selected showcase artists. It is standard practice for artists to seek support from their national music export offices, cultural ministries, or private foundations once they have been officially selected. The prestige of being selected for WOMEX often helps artists secure these grants from their home countries.
