In February, Benidorm turns the volume up for a week when everything revolves around music. That “click” has a name: Benidorm Fest 2026—no longer just a TV event, but a proper festival-style break: lights, live music, fans arriving from all over Spain (and increasingly from abroad), songs that get stuck in your head before the shows even begin, and that unmistakable buzz you feel when an event brings together television, pop culture and an unbeatable atmosphere. The whole city transforms, so you can live the music both inside and outside the venue.
Key dates and how Benidorm Fest 2026 is structured
The 2026 edition is already warming up and, if you’re thinking of a getaway, it’s one to put in the diary: the festival will run from 10 to 14 February 2026.
The format once again centres on two semi-finals and the Grand Final, all held at the Palau d’Esports l’Illa (Benidorm): the first semi-final is on 10 February, the second on 12 February, and the Grand Final on 14 February.
In total, 18 artists will compete, with very different styles (pop, urban, electronic, singer-songwriter…): one of Benidorm Fest’s biggest strengths is exactly that mix—unpredictable and endlessly discussable, whether you’re hunting for your next favourite track or keeping an eye on the staging. And if anything has grown with Benidorm Fest, it’s the weight of the TV spectacle: direction, lighting, set design and visual storytelling.
And if you want to arrive with your homework done (or start picking your favourites), RTVE has published official playlists with all 18 songs on RTVE Play and the main streaming platforms.
What’s new for the 2026 edition
This year, the festival comes with a stronger focus on the music scene and on supporting the artists. RTVE announced changes to the rules, and one of the standout updates is a €150,000 cash prize for the winning entry—an important shift that reinforces the idea that Benidorm Fest can be a major showcase for Spanish music in its own right. Unlike other years, in 2026 the contest will not act as a Eurovision preselection, which puts the spotlight back on the festival itself and its identity.
Guests, nods and that “fan moment”
Part of Benidorm Fest’s magic is what happens beyond the competition: cameos, collaborations, special performances and that annual-meet-up feeling that builds edition after edition. For 14 February, RTVE has confirmed guest performances by Blanca Paloma (winner 2023) and Nebulossa (winner 2024).
It’s exactly the kind of detail that turns the festival into more than a contest: it’s an event with memory—full of nods to its own story—and a community that lives it intensely.
Planning: what to bear in mind
Our practical tip: if you want the “full package”, think of Benidorm Fest as a 3–4-night escape. That way you can experience a semi-final, wander the city at an easy pace soaking up the festival atmosphere and the Mediterranean climate, and top it all off with the final.
And this year the calendar plays in your favour: the final falls on Saturday 14 February, so it’s a perfect fit whether you’re coming as a couple (with the extra sparkle of Valentine’s Day) or organising it with friends for a mini, feel-good week. In practice, you can choose the format you fancy most: a short weekend break focused on the final, or a few extra days to catch a semi-final too and enjoy Benidorm at a calmer pace.
And if there’s one detail that makes the trip even more fun, it’s the pre-final ritual of your favourites. Before the last night, it’s very common for everyone to have a personal “top”, and for the group chat to fill up with home-made predictions: who you think will win, who’s a sure qualifier, which act will be the surprise…
If you decide to come to Benidorm Fest 2026, choosing where to sleep matters more than you might think: for comfort, for proper rest between shows, and for the freedom to enjoy Benidorm from the best possible location. At Climia Hotels, we see it like this: yes, let the trip have rhythm… but make sure it also has calm when you need it.
