Benalmadena flamenco festival's folk traditions

By Adam Woodward • Published: 07 Sep 2026 • 21:10 • 1 minute read Verdiales light up the night. Credit: Ayto The annual Quejigal returns with a special Malaga twist for 2026. Benalmadena is getting ready for a night of flamenco, traditional music and dancing as the Festival Flamenco El Quejigal returns to Los Nadales on Saturday, September 12. Now in its 23rd year, the popular festival starts at 9pm at the Recinto Ferial Los Nadales, bringing together three very different and rich sides of true Andalucian musical roots and culture. This year's programme features the Raices de Almogia verdiales group (highly recommended), flamenco dancer Antonio de Veronica and singer-songwriter Juanfra Carrasco. Verdiales brings Malaga tradition to the stage One of the biggest attractions will be Raices de Almogia, a panda de verdiales bringing one of Malaga Province's oldest musical traditions to Benalmadena. But what is verdial? Verdiales combines music, singing and dancing and is closely linked to the real and original rural Malaga. The colourful groups traditionally perform with instruments including guitars, violins, tambourines and cymbals. Antonio de Veronica will then take to the stage with a spectacular flamenco dance performance before Juanfra Carrasco closes the evening on a passionate high note. The Extremaduran singer and composer is a pupil of Seville's Triana flamenco school and has built a growing reputation on the flamenco circuit. Free flamenco night for locals and newcomers Previous years of El Quejigal have welcomed respected names, including singers Arcangel and Rancapino Chico, plus dancers Pepe Torres and Ana Pastrana. Benalmadena's Culture Department works with Peña Flamenca La Repompa throughout the year on projects including Semana Flamenca and the Benalmadena Flamenco Guitar Fest to keep the original spirit alive. Flamenco was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. A fully-stocked bar run by the Peña Caballista will offer drinks and refreshments at popular prices during the event. Admission is free every year.