The city of Santa Coloma de Gramenet will reignite its profound connection with flamenco this March, as the acclaimed Flamenc-ON festival returns for its seventh edition. This event, now a benchmark for the art form across Catalonia, will once again transform the metropolitan municipality into a vibrant hub of passionate performance, showcasing a rich blend of consecrated masters, emerging artists, and celebrated local talent.
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For decades, Santa Coloma’s identity deeply intertwines with the cultural heritage of Andalusian migrants who made the city their home. The annual festival serves as a powerful homage to this history, celebrating the soul-stirring spirit, or duende, that persists in the community. With more than 70 artists participating, the 2026 programme promises a city-wide immersion in flamenco from 5 to 22 March.
Titans of ‘Cante’ Take Centre Stage
The line-up this year features one of the most revered voices in modern flamenco, Juan Rafael Cortés Santiago, better known as Duquende. The Sabadell-born singer is the main draw for the festival, and his performance on 14 March at the Teatre Sagarra is nearing a sell-out, according to a report by Metrópoli Abierta.
Tomasa Guerrero Carrasco, ‘La Macanita’-a standard-bearer of the Jerez de la Frontera tradition-will share the stage in what promises to be an unforgettable evening of pure cante jondo (deep song). This pairing of icons highlights the festival’s ability to attract premier talent, solidifying its reputation in Barcelona’s thriving cultural calendar, which also features events like the eclectic Mas i Mas Festival in August.
Another powerful collaboration will take place on 21 March, when Córdoba legend Manuel Moreno Maya, ‘El Pele’, will perform alongside Santa Coloma’s own Ana Brenes. Brenes will present her latest album at the concert, creating what the Santa Coloma City Council describes as a “must-see dialogue between tradition and the present.”
A City Immersed in Duende
The festival’s grand finale on 22 March features a new ballet spectacular titled De Aljibe a Tauromagia. Presented by the Fundación Manolo Sanlúcar Aura Seguros, one of the event’s main driving forces, the performance pays homage to the late master of flamenco guitar who gives the foundation its name.
Beyond the main stage, Flamenc-ON extends into every corner of the city. The programme includes a diverse range of activities, ensuring that the art form is accessible to all.
Highlights include a flamenco mass at the Església Major on 8 March and a juerga (flamenco party) celebrating Catalan women artists at La Ciba on 6 March.
The Teatre Sagarra will also host a tribute to the iconic Lola Flores on 11 March, titled Lola, camino de una estrella (Lola, on the path to stardom).
For those seeking a more informal experience, the ‘En los bares, cante’ series will bring free, public performances to local bars on 5, 12, and 19 March, weaving the sounds of flamenco directly into the city’s social fabric.
By combining major ticketed events with free community-focused activities, Flamenc-ON continues to thrive, demonstrating the deep-rooted appeal of cultural heritage festivals in an ever-evolving city landscape.
