Bajo la Luna 2026 in Benadalid: five nights of free theatre, magic, circus and live music

Summer nights in Benadalid are once again becoming an open-air stage. From Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 August, the Málaga village hosts a new edition of Bajo la Luna, its rural performing arts festival, with a programme combining theatre, contemporary circus, magic and live music.

There is another major attraction: all performances are free until capacity is reached. For five consecutive nights, residents and visitors can enjoy a different show from 10:30pm, using some of the village’s most distinctive spaces, including Plaza Beni al Jali and Benadalid Castle.

Culture under the stars in the Genal Valley

Over the years, Bajo la Luna has become one of Benadalid’s most distinctive summer cultural events.

Its aim is to bring quality performing arts to a rural setting while turning the village’s streets and historic spaces into temporary stages.

The 2026 edition follows that same formula with five nights and five different proposals, making it a good excuse for an evening trip into the Genal Valley.

The programme moves from classical theatre to circus, continues with illusionism and reserves Friday for one of its main musical highlights before closing with a production performed by local residents.

Tuesday 18 August: ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ opens the festival

The first night is dedicated to classical theatre.

On Tuesday 18 August, Pata Teatro will perform Cyrano de Bergerac in Plaza Beni al Jali, starting at 10:30pm.

It will open a programme designed to give each evening a different identity and appeal to audiences of different ages.

Wednesday 19 August: contemporary circus takes over the square

The mood changes completely on Wednesday with Dolce Salato, performed by Carpa Diem.

From 10:30pm, Plaza Beni al Jali will become an open-air stage for contemporary circus, adding another style of performance to the festival and making it an especially attractive option for families.

Using a public square as a stage is also one of Bajo la Luna’s defining features, bringing performances out of conventional theatres and directly into village life.

Thursday 20 August: a night of magic with Raúl Alegría

The third evening is devoted to illusionism.

On Thursday 20 August, magician Raúl Alegría will present Asombro in Plaza Beni al Jali at 10:30pm.

Magic and surprise take over from theatre and circus before the festival moves the following evening to one of Benadalid’s most atmospheric landmarks.

Friday 21 August: Alba Molina performs at Benadalid Castle

One of the highlights of Bajo la Luna 2026 arrives on Friday with Alba Molina.

The singer will give an acoustic concert at Benadalid Castle at 10:30pm, moving the festival away from the main square for one night and into one of the municipality’s most recognisable historic settings.

The combination of live music, heritage and a summer evening makes this one of the most distinctive events of the week.

Saturday 22 August: Benadalid residents close the festival

The final night will have a strong local flavour.

On Saturday 22 August, residents of Benadalid will take to the stage for 40FM, El Musical, presented under the slogan Donde la música cuenta mil historias.

The show starts at 10:30pm in Plaza Beni al Jali and will bring five nights of cultural events to a close.

After welcoming professional performers throughout the week, the final evening gives the stage to the local community itself.

Full Bajo la Luna 2026 programme

Tuesday 18 August
🎭 Cyrano de Bergerac – Pata Teatro
🕥 10:30pm
📍 Plaza Beni al Jali

Wednesday 19 August
🎪 Dolce Salato – Carpa Diem
🕥 10:30pm
📍 Plaza Beni al Jali

Thursday 20 August
🪄 Asombro – Raúl Alegría
🕥 10:30pm
📍 Plaza Beni al Jali

Friday 21 August
🎶 Alba Molina – acoustic concert
🕥 10:30pm
📍 Benadalid Castle

Saturday 22 August
🎤 40FM, El Musical – performed by Benadalid residents
🕥 10:30pm
📍 Plaza Beni al Jali

🎟️ Admission is free until capacity is reached.

A different way to discover inland Málaga

Bajo la Luna is also a good reason to swap the coast for inland Málaga for an evening.

Instead of huge venues and crowded festivals, Benadalid offers performances in open-air and historic settings, with events scheduled late enough to enjoy the cooler temperatures of August nights.

Theatre, circus, illusionism and music are spread across five evenings, showing that some of Málaga province’s most interesting summer cultural plans can also be found away from the main tourist centres.

The full schedule, times and any possible updates can be checked in the official Bajo la Luna 2026 information published by Benadalid Town Council.