mar abierto festival 20th anniversary canary islands

Mar Abierto festival returns for 20th anniversary edition

Mar Abierto festival celebrates two decades with star-studded line-up

Festival Mar Abierto has unveiled the programme for its 20th edition, which will feature 20 concerts across Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Tenerife, headlined by 11 national and international artists. Organisers expect to exceed 25,000 attendees, cementing the festival’s position in the Canary Islands’ cultural calendar.

The line-up brings together prominent names from both the national and international music scene, including Luz Casal, Marta Sánchez, Pablo López, Víctor Manuel, Bebe, José Mercé, Ainhoa Arteta, Pasión Vega, Silvia Pérez Cruz, Sole Giménez and This is Michael. The diverse programme combines powerhouse vocalists, established acts and shows designed to appeal to all audiences.

Economic boost for the islands

The positive public response has a direct economic impact on the region, according to organisers. In 2026, Festival Mar Abierto is expected to mobilise approximately €3.45 million in spending, generate an estimated economic impact of €3.29 million for the Canarian economy, and sustain or create around 45 full-time equivalent jobs.

Supporting emerging talent

This year, the festival will also host the second edition of the Talento en Mar Abierto competition, an initiative that once again creates space for emerging music from the archipelago. Through this programme, Canarian bands and artists will have the opportunity to join the festival’s line-up, gain visibility with new audiences and become part of a well-established cultural event in the islands.

A decade-spanning commitment to culture

With this new edition, Festival Mar Abierto celebrates two decades of activity, reaffirming its commitment to culture, live music, decentralised programming and the generation of cultural and economic activity in the Canary Islands.

Teodoro Sosa, Councillor for the Presidency and Sustainable Mobility at the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, said: “Festival Mar Abierto, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, is not only an essential date in the Canary Islands’ cultural diary, but has also established itself as one of the most outstanding cultural projects in the archipelago.” He added: “From the Cabildo, we will continue to support initiatives like this, which enrich cultural life, generate activity and also bet on emerging talent in our islands.”

Javier Prieto, Director of Institutional Relations at Turismo de Islas Canarias, explained: “For years we have been firmly committed to culture, which constitutes a key value for diversifying and enriching our destination.” Prieto noted that cultural events top the list of sponsorships, with nearly €33 million allocated to 496 events. “In the case of Festival Mar Abierto, with which Turismo de Islas Canarias has collaborated in all sponsorship rounds, it is a concert cycle featuring top-tier artists. This not only elevates the quality of the experience for both visitors and locals, but also generates a significant economic impact in the islands, above €3 million in its last edition.”

Josué Íñiguez, Councillor for Culture at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council, highlighted the importance of a festival with 20 years of history maintaining such a close connection with the city. “Mar Abierto is already part of the cultural life of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The people filling the theatres are local residents, and that shows we are dealing with a consolidated project, rooted in the community and with a real capacity to energise cultural activity.” He also stressed that the festival has built a solid, ambitious and long-running project with diverse, high-quality programming, praising the notable female participation which has become a hallmark of Festival Mar Abierto.

Jairo Núñez, director of the promoter, said: “Festival Mar Abierto is a project that has grown and evolved, but has always maintained its commitment to quality and to providing real value to the territory.” He added: “Culture has the capacity to generate activity, employment, economic movement and returns in the environment where it takes place. A festival like this has a direct effect not only on artistic activity, but also on technical teams, production, logistics, communications, transport, hospitality and many other sectors.”

The Festival Mar Abierto concerts are supported by the Government of the Canary Islands, Turismo Islas Canarias and its brand Islas Canarias – Latitud de Vida, the Canary Institute of Cultural Development, the Cabildo of Gran Canaria – La Isla de Mi Vida, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council through its Department of Culture and Promoción Las Palmas, La Laguna City Council through its Autonomous Organisation for Musical Activities and Culture, and the Cabildo of Fuerteventura.

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