Flamenco Festivals Guide

There's nothing quite like being at a flamenco festival, if you're a fan. These world-class events offer a unique opportunity to see the best flamenco performers in the world doing what they do best and taking this UNESCO-recognised art form to new, experimental places. Whether you are looking for the raw passion of a traditional tablao or the grand scale of a theatre premiere, our directory covers the top flamenco events in Spain and across the globe.

Often, these festivals provide a rare chance to learn flamenco directly from the masters. From intensive flamenco dance workshops (baile) and guitar masterclasses (toque) to specialized training in flamenco singing (cante) and rhythm (compás), there is no better way to immerse yourself in the culture.

Just as importantly, you get to share the experience with a global community of aficionados. Whether you're travelling to the historic streets of Seville and Jerez or attending a contemporary festival in London, New York, or Vancouver, you'll find people just as enthusiastic as you, making it the perfect place to build lifelong connections through this amazing art.

Explore our comprehensive flamenco festival guide below to find your next destination, book your workshops, and experience the duende that only live flamenco can provide.

EUROPE (SPAIN)

Festival de Jerez

• Location: Jerez de la Frontera

• Month: February / March

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 16 days

• URL: https://www.festivaldejerez.es

• Overview: The world’s leading festival for flamenco baile. It focuses on the traditional styles of Jerez, particularly the bulería, and the intimate connection between the dancer and the peña (flamenco club) culture. Education is the festival's backbone. It offers 40+ intensive courses ranging from beginner to professional levels (as well as 'off-festival' workshops around the city). Classes focus on specific palos (styles) like Soleá or Siguiriya, as well as specialised workshops for castañuelas and toque (guitar accompaniment).

Suma Flamenca

• Location: Madrid

• Month: June

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 4 to 5 weeks 

• URL: https://www.madrid.org/sumaflamenca

• Overview: A curated showcase of top-tier talent across all disciplines. It focuses on Madrid’s role as the commercial and artistic crossroads of flamenco, featuring both legends and rising stars. This festival focuses more on performance and intellectual discourse. While formal dance workshops are less frequent than in Jerez, the festival often includes specialised conferences, photographic exhibitions, and masterclasses in cante jondo.

Potaje Gitano de Utrera

• Location: Utrera (Seville)

• Month: June

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 1 night (Last Saturday of June) 

• URL: https://www.potajegitano.com

• Overview: This is the oldest flamenco festival in the world, founded in 1957 as a celebration of gitanería (gypsy culture). It is a traditional one-night gala held outdoors, where a single stage hosts a marathon of cante and baile. The atmosphere is defined by jaleos (encouraging shouts) and communal dining—every ticket includes a bowl of traditional bean stew (potaje). There are no workshops here; instead, it is a masterclass in observing the social roots of flamenco and the transmission of pureza (purity) through legendary family dynasties. 

Noche Blanca del Flamenco

• Location: Córdoba

• Month: June

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 1 night (Dusk until dawn) 

• URL: https://nocheblancadelflamenco.cordoba.es

• Overview: Córdoba’s White Night is a massive, dusk-to-dawn celebration that turns the city’s historic plazas into open-air stages. Beginners can experience the full spectrum of the art, from solo toque recitals to massive ensembles featuring high-energy palmas (rhythmic handclapping). Because the events are free and public, it is the perfect place to see how flamenco interacts with the community. While there is not a formal workshop programme, the city's vibe during this night is an education in flamenco rhythms. 

Festival de la Guitarra de Córdoba

• Location: Córdoba

• Month: July

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 11 days 

• URL: https://guitarracordoba.es

• Overview: A dedicated exploration of the guitar in all its forms, with a heavy emphasis on the technical and melodic mastery of flamenco toque. The festival features a world-class training programme. These are technical masterclasses for guitarists focusing on rasgueado, alzapúa, and composition. There are also high-level baile workshops that explore the relationship between the dancer’s feet and the guitarist’s rhythm.

La Caracolá Lebrijana

• Location: Lebrija (Seville)

• Month: July

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 10 days 

• URL: http://www.lacaracolalebrijana.es

• Overview: A deeply traditional festival focusing on the "pure" styles of the local dynasties. Performances only, with rare community-based workshops.

Gazpacho Andaluz

• Location: Morón de la Frontera (Seville)

• Month: July

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 1 night 

• URL: https://www.aytomoron.es or https://en.andalucia.org/event/gazpacho-andaluz-flamenco-festival/8148101/ 

• Overview: This festival focuses on the unique rhythmic guitar style associated with the town. It is a traditional night of cante and toque held in the town’s central plaza. There are no workshops. It is a performance-based celebration of local tradition.

Festival Internacional del Cante de las Minas

• Location: La Unión (Murcia)

• Month: August

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 11 days 

• URL: https://festivalcantedelasminas.org

• Overview: Held in a stunning former public market known as the Cathedral of Cante, this festival is the world’s most prestigious competition for flamenco. It focuses on the cantes de levante—the haunting, miner's songs unique to this region. The ultimate prize, the Lámpara Minera, is the highest honour a singer can achieve. Beginners can attend the Flamenco Public School during the festival, which offers rare workshops in cante and specialised dance classes that focus on the sombre, powerful movements required for these specific mining palos. 

Flamenco on Fire

• Location: Pamplona

• Month: August

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 6 days 

• URL: https://www.flamencoonfire.org

• Overview: This festival brings the heat of the south to Northern Spain, honouring the Pamplona-born guitar legend Sabicas. It is famous for its Flamenco on the Balcony series, where artists perform short sets for the public from historic balconies. The programming is a mix of high-production theatre shows and intimate recitales de cante. For those looking to learn, the festival includes masterclasses in compás and percussion (cajón). 

Festival de la Bulería

• Location: Jerez de la Frontera

• Month: August

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 5 nights 

• URL: https://www.flamencodejerez.org

• Overview: It is a high-energy outdoor festival dedicated entirely to the bulería rhythm of Jerez. It focuses on the festive, rhythmic heart of the city's flamenco culture. This is primarily a performance series held in a large outdoor venue so there are no workshops.

Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla

• Location: Seville

• Month: September/October

• Frequency: Biennial (Even Years)

• Duration: 1 month 

• URL: https://www.labienal.com

• Overview: This is the global benchmark for flamenco, focusing on large-scale world premieres (estrenos) and high-concept productions. It covers the entire spectrum from flamenco puro to the most experimental vanguardia. While the Bienal is primarily a performance showcase, the city’s major academies (such as Taller Flamenco and Museo del Baile Flamenco) run intensive cursillos during the festival. These include baile technique, bata de cola (long-train dress), cante, and compás for all levels.

Festival de Cante Jondo Antonio Mairena

• Location: Mairena del Alcor (Seville)

• Month: September

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 1 weekend 

• URL: https://festivalmairena.com

• Overview: Dedicated to the orthodox, serious style of cante jondo. It focuses on the preservation of traditional vocal styles and hosts an important singing competition. Occasionally offers conferences and masterclasses for singers.

Bienal de Arte Flamenco de Málaga

• Location: Málaga

• Month: Varies (often May-Sept)

• Frequency: Biennial (Odd years)

• Duration: 3 months

• URL: https://www.malagaenflamenco.com

• Overview: A provincial festival that brings performances to small villages and historic sites across Málaga. It focuses on local styles and cultural heritage. Sporadic workshops and intensive courses are often held in the city of Málaga as part of the programme.

NORTH AMERICA

United States

Flamenco Festival Miami

• Location: Miami, FL

• Month: February / March

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 3 to 4 days 

• URL: https://www.arshtcenter.org

• Overview: Hosted at the Adrienne Arsht Centre, it focuses on bringing the "stars of Spain" to the US. It often features large-scale productions by artists like Sara Baras. It sometimes offers free "pre-show" interactive workshops and cultural activities on the plaza for the public.

Flamenco Festival New York

• Location: New York City, NY

• Month: March

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 2 weeks 

• URL: https://www.flamencofestival.org

• Overview: It brings the absolute elite of Spanish flamenco to the world’s most famous stages. The focus is on major theatrical productions and the evolution of the art. Workshops are typically organised in partnership with local studios like Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana. They offer short masterclasses with visiting Spanish stars, focusing on the specific estilo of the guest performers.

Festival Flamenco Alburquerque

• Location: Albuquerque, NM

• Month: June

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 9 days 

• URL: https://ffabq.org

• Overview: The most intensive educational festival in North America. It focuses on the preservation and rigorous study of the art form through the National Institute of Flamenco. A massive curriculum of 40+ workshops. These cover every possible niche: baile (technique and choreography), cante, toque, palmas, cajón, and even specialized "Flamenco Kids" camps.

Canada

Vancouver International Flamenco Festival

• Location: Vancouver, BC

• Month: September

• Frequency: Annual

• Duration: 8 to 9 days 

• URL: https://vancouverflamencofestival.org

• Overview: One of the longest-running festivals in North America. It focuses on nurturing the hybridized roots of flamenco and showcasing both Canadian and international artists. Provides several masterclasses, including "Intro to Flamenco" sessions and advanced workshops in baile, cante, and palmas.

Duende Flamenco Festival

• Location: Toronto, ON

• Month: October

• Frequency: Annual

• URL: https://www.agakhanmuseum.org

• Overview: Held at the Aga Khan Museum, it explores the diverse roots of flamenco. Features performances and occasional lecture-demonstrations or workshops.

Mexico

Ibérica Contemporánea

• Location: Querétaro

• Month: July

• Frequency: Biennial (Odd Years)

• URL: https://www.ibericacontemporanea.com.mx

• Overview: A grand celebration of Spanish dance and flamenco, focusing on the high-level technical training of students from across Latin America. It features one of the most comprehensive workshop programmes in the world. Scores of classes are offered in baile, Escuela Bolera, cante, and toque, taught by a faculty of dozens of maestros brought directly from Spain.