Ponferrada International Guitar Festival

The Ponferrada International Guitar Festival is one of the city’s most outstanding cultural events, attracting tourists and music lovers from all over the world. Held annually, this festival offers a unique experience that combines the virtuosity of classical guitar with Ponferrada’s historical and cultural richness, becoming a strong tourist attraction for the Bierzo region.

The festival takes place in emblematic venues of the city, such as Sala Río Selmo, Teatro Bergidum, and Ponferrada Castle, allowing visitors to enjoy concerts in spaces of significant architectural and historical value. This fusion of music and cultural heritage not only provides artistic pleasure but also the opportunity to explore the city, its monuments, and its history. A visit to Ponferrada Castle, for example, becomes a complementary experience to the concert, allowing attendees to learn about the Templar heritage and the beauty of medieval architecture.

The festival program includes a wide variety of concerts, recitals, and performances by internationally recognized guitarists, as well as innovative proposals combining guitar with other musical genres and stage formats. Artists such as VetaDúo, Alter Ego Trío, Paloma Frejdhoff, and Enrike Solinís have offered performances blending tradition and modernity, enriching the cultural experience for tourists. Additionally, some performances are complemented with storytelling, dance, or visual elements, making each concert a complete and memorable show.

Beyond music, the festival promotes cultural and gastronomic tourism, as visitors can explore local restaurants, taste typical Bierzo cuisine, and discover regional wines. The organization also encourages accessibility and tourist participation, providing information on transport and accommodation to facilitate the visit.

Overall, the Ponferrada International Guitar Festival offers a comprehensive tourist experience: it combines high-quality music, historical heritage, local gastronomy, and a unique natural environment, becoming a must for those seeking culture, art, and tourism in northwestern Spain.

INFORMATION

📍 Location and Contact

• Addresses:
  • Sala Río Selmo: Main space for concerts, located in Ponferrada.
  • Teatro Bergidum: Venue for some of the festival’s major events.
  • Ponferrada Castle: Venue for special concerts.
• Approximate Date: November.
• Web: https://festivalinternacionaldeguitarradeponferrada.es
  Email: festivalguitarraponferrada@gmail.com
  Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/Festivalinternacionalguitarraponferrada

🕒 Schedules – 2025 Edition

• Nov 2: Carmen Sinier and Pablo Rojo (mandolin and guitar) present a classical and contemporary music program.
• Nov 4: José Manuel Díaz and the Ponferrada City Music Band offer a guitar and symphonic band concert.
• Nov 6: Matthew Squires and "El Paré" (cello and guitar) present a contemporary music program.
• Nov 8: Alberto Blanco Bahijos offers a classical guitar recital.

♿ Accessibility: Yes. The festival is held in various cultural venues in the city, such as Teatro Municipal Bergidum, Sala Río Selmo, and Ponferrada Castle, all designed to provide an accessible experience for all attendees.

Accessibility in festival spaces:

• Teatro Municipal Bergidum: Awarded the "Aquí entra circo" prize by CircoRed, reflecting its commitment to accessibility and inclusion in the performing arts.
• Sala Río Selmo: Multipurpose cultural space renovated to improve acoustics and audience comfort.
• Ponferrada Castle: Historical monument with measures to facilitate access for people with reduced mobility.

🗣️ Languages: The festival is inclusive and attracts national and international audiences.
👥 Capacity:

• Sala Río Selmo: 200 seats
• Teatro Municipal Bergidum: 600 seats