The SONE Festival isn’t a traditional concert on a single large stage, but rather a musical stroll through Benissa. Every evening, the festival moves to a different part of the village. In this article, you’ll find the complete 2026 program, the concept behind the festival, and practical tips for your visit.

What is Festival SONE?

Festival SONE is an initiative of the Culture Department of the Municipality of Benissa and was first held in 2024. The idea behind the festival is simple but effective: take live music away from the usual venues—such as the Centre d’Art Taller d’Ivars, the Saló Cultural, or the bustling squares in the city center—and bring it to less obvious locations that do, however, have a rich historical or scenic character.

The name SONE stands for the four cardinal directions: Sud, Oest, Nord, and Est (South, West, North, and East), with the center of Benissa as kilometer zero. Each year, one concert is organized for each cardinal direction, spread over four different evenings.

The program for the 2026 edition

• Thursday, July 2, 10:00 p.m. – Pinada de Selva (South): Babalú Band

The Valencia-based group Babalú Band will kick things off with their show *Route 66*. The program takes you on a journey through jazz, swing, and soul, with songs reminiscent of Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye, complemented by covers of Queen, Robbie Williams, and Rihanna.

• Friday, July 3, 10:00 p.m. – Plaça del Convent Franciscà (West): Flamenco and Other Sounds

Flamenco takes center stage at the second square. Irene Carrión and Óscar Zoilo, with special guest appearances by Carmen Coy and Diego Pérez, present the project *Flamenco y otros sones*. Flamenco guitar, cello, and vocals come together in a performance that combines the purity of flamenco with a solid classical music background.

• Saturday, July 4, 10:30 p.m. – Placeta Vella (North): Quartet de Corda València

At the Placeta Vella, next to the Monument al Riberer in the historic center, the Quartet de Corda València will perform their 4Pop.es program. This string quartet, with more than fifteen years of experience and known for the international Candlelight concert series, combines classical music with pop, rock, and electronic covers.

• Sunday, July 5, 8:00 p.m. – Plaça de l’Església Vella (East): The Salsa Crew

The festival wraps up on a festive note. The Salsa Crew, an international group specializing in Latin American music, will take the audience on a journey through the greatest hits of salsa, in an energetic and dance-filled finale at the old church.

From the First Edition to the Present: A Brief History

This year marks the third consecutive year of the SONE Festival, and the format has remained largely the same since its inception: four concerts, four cardinal directions, four evenings.

• 2024 (1st edition, July 11–14): the kickoff featured, among others, Aretha i Los Franklins at the Pinada de Selva and Connecta Percussió at the Plaça del Convent Franciscà. This very first edition already attracted more than 600 visitors over the four evenings;

• 2025 (2nd edition, July 3–6): a lineup featuring, among others, a Tribute to Michael Bublé (with 11 musicians, including Benissa-based guitarist Pep Ferrer), local artist Abril with her debut album, a film music concert featuring classics by Ennio Morricone, John Williams, and Hans Zimmer, and a swinging finale with the Vira León Swingtet;

• 2026 (3rd edition, July 2–5): See the program above.

In previous editions, Pepa Bertomeu, the councilor for culture, emphasized that the festival’s goal is to allow people to enjoy high-quality music on summer evenings in the open air, while Mayor Arturo Poquet consistently invites residents and visitors to enjoy the unique historic setting during the four concert evenings.

Practical tips for your visit

• Free admission: Just like in previous years, the festival is free to attend—no tickets required. Be sure to arrive early to get a good spot, especially at smaller squares like the Placeta Vella;

• Four different locations: be sure to check which square you need to go to each evening, because each concert takes place at a different location;

• Evening program: The concerts start between 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., making them perfect to combine with an evening stroll or dinner in downtown Benissa;

• Parking: Benissa’s historic center is compact and partially car-free. Park on the outskirts of the center and walk the last few meters to the squares.

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