The International Guitar Festival of Córdoba has been running since 1980. That's 46 editions. It's one of the few festivals in Europe where classical guitar, flamenco and contemporary music share the same programme — not as a compromise, but because Córdoba is one of the few cities where all three traditions have genuine roots.
The 46th edition runs 24 June – 10 July 2027.
Historic venues
The three main venues are chosen deliberately. The Gran Teatro (1,000 seats) handles the larger classical and rock acts — the acoustics work, the formality fits. The Teatro Góngora (500 seats) is where the flamenco guitar masters perform; the smaller space changes how you hear it. You can see a player's hands, track the attack on every note. The Teatro de la Axerquía is the outdoor stage for contemporary and rock acts, starting later in the evening when the heat breaks.
2027 programme
The full programme for the 46th edition is typically announced in April or May. Past editions have featured world-class artists such as Vicente Amigo, Luz Casal, Love of Lesbian, David Russell, Manuel Barrueco, Loquillo and many more across the three venues. The festival consistently programmes a mix of:
- Classical guitar at the Gran Teatro and Teatro Góngora
- Flamenco guitar masters in the intimate Góngora setting
- Contemporary and rock acts at the outdoor Teatro de la Axerquía
- Masterclasses and lutherie courses at the Conservatorio Rafael Orozco
Ticket prices typically range from €10–45 per concert, with season passes (abonos) available at 20–25% off for three or more shows.
About the festival
Since its founding in 1980, the festival has hosted Paco de Lucía, Tomatito, Gary Moore, Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler, Pat Metheny, Carlos Santana — the list reads like a survey of guitar playing in the late 20th century. The guitar festival does not just showcase guitar; it has become part of the argument for why the guitar matters.
The education strand runs alongside the concerts, with around 200 students from across the world attending masterclasses with the same artists who performed the night before. It changes the atmosphere of the city during those two weeks: Córdoba feels like it is thinking about music, not just hearing it.
