Flamenco Festival London wraps up its 20th edition with resounding success

With over 16,500 attendees and an average occupancy rate of 80%, Flamenco Festival London reaffirms its place on the UK cultural map. This year, the festival took another step forward in its international expansion: a new edition is planned in Manchester for June 2026.

Since 27 May, 16 companies and more than 140 Spanish artists and crew members delivered nearly 25 performances at iconic venues including Sadler’s Wells, Lilian Baylis Studio, Kings Place, and the Jazz Café.

Media coverage reached new heights, with over 30 articles and glowing reviews in media such as The Guardian, The Times and The Reviews Hub, many awarding five stars. In total, more than a dozen media and around twenty critics have written about the programme.

Some shows received up to seven reviews per performance, many of them awarding top marks. Productions such as Vuela by Sara Baras, Muerta de Amor by Manuel Liñán, and Romancero del baile flamenco by Mercedes Ruiz caught the attention of critics and stirred strong interest among UK audiences.

These performances were among the most eagerly awaited, generating immediate and powerful responses from audiences and reviewers alike. The Standard described Sara Baras as “One of Spain’s most indomitable dance stars is in town – an imperious Baras,” while The Reviews Hub noted that “there is no doubting the exceptional flamenco skill of Sara Baras.”

The Guardian praised Liñán as an artist “rich in originality”, and The Times called it “flirtatious and electrifying.” Everything Theatre described Muerta de Amor as “a masterclass in progressive flamenco.”

Mercedes Ruiz’s performance of Romancero del baile flamenco also sparked great enthusiasm from critics. The Guardian called it “elegant display of traditional style.”

The Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía wowed British audiences too with Pineda, a show warmly received by critics. A Young(ish) Perspective called it a powerful blend of tradition and modernity, describing it as a timeless artistic triumph.

These responses highlight the strength of these artists on stage and the Festival’s central role in the UK’s cultural calendar. As Festival director Miguel Marín notes, “It’s rare for a flamenco festival to generate this level of interest in a city like London, where the cultural scene is constantly evolving and artistic competition is fierce. And it’s not just the quantity of coverage – the quality matters too. Many of our shows received five-star reviews, which is extraordinary and very meaningful.”

The series Ellas, flamencas, in partnership with the Instituto Cervantes and focused on the female voice in flamenco, was also very well received. Performances by La Tremendita, Las Migas, Argentina, Queralt Lahoz, Lela Soto, and Ángeles Toledano received standing ovations lasting over ten minutes each night.

These powerful singing performances added to the success of the guitar recitals, presented in collaboration with Fundación SGAE, confirming the growing interest of UK audiences in the many sides of flamenco. Guitarists Alejandro Hurtado, Manuel Valencia, and Álvaro Martinete showcased their talent alongside Inmaculada Salomón, Antonio Molina “El Choro,” and Claudia “La Debla,” respectively.

For its 20th edition, Flamenco Festival London took a major step forward in its programming with the launch of Beyond Flamenco – a new curatorial strand focusing on experimental and cross-genre works in contemporary flamenco. This shift also led to the addition of a new venue, the Jazz Café. In this spirit, the long-awaited London debut of Granada-based group La Plazuela stood out. Also at the Jazz Café, Las Migas performed their new album Flamencas.

In the dance category, Estévez and Paños challenged conventions with Retablo experimental sobre el baile flamenco, a bold and boundary-breaking stage work. Meanwhile, dancers Florencia Oz, Paula Comitre, and Carmen Angulo presented a first glimpse of Reflexiones sobre las Parcas.

With more than 40 editions already held in London and New York, the Festival has brought flamenco to 101 cities worldwide, reaching a total audience of 1.6 million people.

In London alone, Flamenco Festival has welcomed over 466,500 spectators to more than 325 performances, showcasing some of flamenco’s biggest stars and rising talents.