The Úbeda Music and Dance Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious musical events in Andalusia. Every year it attracts national and international audiences, reinforcing Úbeda's status as a World Heritage City.

It combines classical music, dance, recitals and contemporary performances, with world-class artists appearing on stages that let audiences enjoy music in a uniquely historic setting, such as the Hospital de Santiago (main auditorium), churches and Renaissance spaces in the old town, as well as monumental squares and courtyards where the accompanying activities take place.

In this ninth edition of “Flamencos y Mestizos”, the Hospital de Santiago in Úbeda, the Church of San Lorenzo, the San Juan de la Cruz Museum, the Andalusian Museum and La Central will host performances for this event, directed by Paco Ortega, which will also include talks and exhibitions.

The festival will kick off on 24 April with Dorantes, continuing on the 25th of the same month with Las Migas. Morenito de Íllora and Rancapino Chico will perform on 30 April, while on 1 May audiences can enjoy Lucía Álvarez “La Piñona” and, on 2 May, María Terremoto. On the 7th of that same month, Nuria Barrios, together with El Torro and Belén Vega, will give a talk; the following day, 8 May, Andrés Barrios will perform alongside El Yiyo & Carmen Young, and on the 9th it will be José Mercé's turn. Dancer Dalia Sánchez will take part on 10 May in this festival, which will also feature an activity on electronic instruments in flamenco, led by Aroa Fernández; an exhibition of photographs from the previous edition of “Flamencos y Mestizos” by the Úbeda Photography Association; as well as a saeta competition organised by the Brotherhood of the Virgen de la Soledad, and guided tours of the city of Úbeda, among other initiatives.

In this opening concert, Dorantes displays his unmistakable approach to the piano: a space where tradition and avant-garde meet to create new emotions. Scarlattianas reinterprets the legacy of Domenico Scarlatti through a contemporary, hybrid and deeply personal lens, turning each piece into a soundscape steeped in Andalusia.

The majestic Auditorio del Hospital de Santiago will be the setting for this opening event, a venue that enhances the aesthetic and acoustic experience of a recital designed to be enjoyed at leisure, with the intensity and delicacy that define the artist.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Mercé arrives in Úbeda to offer a recital full of emotion, authenticity and that unmistakable style that has made him an international benchmark. His presence at the festival marks an encounter with the great cante, capable of moving both the most demanding aficionados and those approaching flamenco with a more open, hybrid outlook.

The Auditorio del Hospital de Santiago, one of the city's most iconic cultural venues, will host this unique evening, in which the Jerez-born artist will display his expressive power, elegance, and ability to connect with the audience from the very first note.

The day will begin with the official opening and the start of registrations. Afterwards, we'll set off on a motorbike route through the towns and villages of the Cerros de Úbeda, with a special stop in nearby Baeza, where we'll pause beside its impressive cathedral.

After lunch, the atmosphere will continue to build with musical performances. And as night falls, we'll experience one of the most symbolic moments of the gathering: the torchlit ride through Úbeda, a moving tribute to fallen bikers. Back at the Parque Norte venue, the celebration will continue with live music and a prize draw with numerous gifts for registered participants.

This year we return to the spectacular setting of Úbeda's Parque Norte, a spacious, shaded venue with parking, perfectly suited to this kind of event. All that's missing is you, to enjoy everything we've prepared together.

As a new addition, photography enthusiasts will be able to take part in the 1st Biker Photography Competition, organised together with the Gran Angular de Úbeda Photography Association. All the details are available on their website.

The festival marks its twentieth anniversary with a line-up bringing together four leading acts from the national and international scene: Firewind, Praying Mantis, Mind Driller and Smoke Riders.

Once again, the organisers have chosen a format that combines established bands with emerging acts, featuring the virtuoso Gus G fronting Firewind and the historic career of British band Praying Mantis. Joining them are the industrial metal of Mind Driller and the live energy of Smoke Riders, who will open the day.

The championship will be held in a picture-perfect setting. You'll fly over the majestic Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. Take-off from El Puntal offers the most powerful thermals and the best views of the Sierra de Segura. Adrenaline and skill, whether you're competing in Two-Seater precision or chasing glory in Club Class — this is the ground where it's decided who rules the air.

Beyond the competition, Siles offers unbeatable mountain cuisine and breathtaking nature routes. It's the perfect moment to enjoy the unique atmosphere that only the paragliding community can create.

Over several days, towns such as Segura de la Sierra, Orcera and Siles come alive with intimate recitals, innovative performances and acts ranging from classical music to contemporary folk. Artists perform in venues steeped in history — castles, churches, viewpoints and natural amphitheatres — turning each concert into a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

The festival doesn't just celebrate music: it also champions the value of the local area. The programme is accompanied by routes, gatherings, local gastronomy and activities that showcase the region's cultural and natural richness. It's an invitation to discover the landscape, tradition and mountain hospitality through an artistic lens.

The route will pass through the Arab Baths, the Imperial Fountain of Charles V, the Fuente Morena and the Gontar washing place. A journey that unites nature and culture, memory and word, to reveal the essence of Segura de la Sierra: a place where water writes history, and literature illuminates it.