RTVE has unveiled the 18 artists who will participate in the fifth edition of the Benidorm Fest, Spain’s annual music festival that celebrates both national and Latin American talent. The songs of the participants will be released on December 18.
In a crowded press conference at Prado del Rey in Madrid, RTVE revealed this year’s official lineup for the Benidorm Fest 2026. The festival continues to unite Spain through music and culture while embracing Latin American influences.
Sergio Calderón, Director of TVE, highlighted the festival’s impact: “It has launched new careers, strengthened previous trajectories, and has become a major television and musical event.” He also expressed feeling “excited” about the public broadcaster’s support for music: “Here, music has a place. We are the channel that dedicates the most time to this universal vehicle. This year, Benidorm Fest is going to reach more people than ever.”
César Vallejo, director of the Benidorm Fest and head of the Spanish delegation at Eurovision, emphasized the quality of this year’s proposals as proof that the festival is now well-established. He assured that this edition will “consolidate the Benidorm Fest as the annual music event.”
Vallejo takes over as director of both the festival and Spain’s Eurovision delegation, following Ana Bordas’s departure as the new president of the EBU reference group for Eurovision joined. He noted he is not nervous and faces the challenge with enthusiasm: “I have already spent 4 years with Ana María Bordas, and I’m not nervous. I hope to live up to the trust they have placed in us and put on the best show possible. Tomorrow we already have a working meeting with the teams, and we start; a period of work begins with all the candidates, and we will accompany them throughout the process.”
María Eizaguirre, Director of Communication and Participation at RTVE, opened the presentation by stating: “We are going to enjoy the best of music” and highlighted that “RTVE has become the engine of the music industry. Proof of this is that the four winning songs in the history of Benidorm Fest together have accumulated more than 200 million streams on platforms.”
Artists of Benidorm Fest 2026
This year’s lineup features 18 artists across diverse musical genres, promising an edition full of talent.
Asha is a Moroccan-born singer and songwriter raised between cultures, making her mixed identity the core of her musical proposal. With an international career boasting over a billion streams and collaborations with notable pop figures such as C. Tangana, Lola Índigo, and Becky G, Asha has become one of the most distinctive voices of her generation. Her sound blends contemporary pop with Mediterranean roots and global nuances, reflecting a sensitivity that connects different languages and emotions.
Asha: “It was a surprise and a sudden life change. I’ve never been in front of so many people in my life. I hope to learn a lot; I like trying new things and diving in headfirst.”
Atyat, a dancer and actress of Egyptian descent from Madrid, grew up performing on stage, combining vocal power with expressive movement. She has brought her versatility from musical theater to major stages, TV programs, and events like MADO Madrid Orgullo. In recent years, she has also developed as a songwriter, presenting her own repertoire that mixes pop, soul, and rhythm with an overwhelming personality.
Atyat: “I’m thrilled and grateful; for me, this is a dream, and music has been everything since I can remember. Even the little we’ve done at Benidorm Fest already seems incredible.”
Dani J has been revolutionizing bachata since 2014, successfully blending it with other musical styles to create a unique and personal project that transcends borders. His passion for music began in his hometown of Seville, where flamenco roots merged with hip-hop, R&B, and Latin music influences.
Dani J: “I want people to dance and to know that in Spain, there is someone taking bachata around the world. 95% of my concerts are outside Spain, and I wanted to come back home.”
Dora Postigo & Marlon Collins form a duo offering a fresh take on contemporary pop. Dora, daughter of Bimba Bosé and music producer Diego Postigo and niece of Miguel Bosé, teams up with Marlon Collins to create a balance of sonic experimentation and intimate emotion, blending the classic with the avant-garde.
Dora Postigo & Marlon Collins: “We are more excited than anything. We are colleagues, and this collaboration just happened; we came together with friends, for music, to create our proposal.”
Funambulista is the project of Diego Cantero, one of the most recognizable voices in pop with over two decades of experience, eight albums, and hundreds of concerts. He combines emotion, closeness, and lyrical depth, evolving toward more current sounds without losing his essence.
Funambulista: “This is a new experience for me, and saying ‘new’ for someone with so many years in music is a lot. I’m here to advocate for spaces on TV for live music. I’ve been at RTVE many times, and today there’s a contagious excitement that will make us live something we’ll never forget.”
Greg Taro, with Spanish-German roots, has developed a sound reflecting his life across Europe and Asia. Raised between Tokyo, Berlin, and Madrid, his music blends electronic elegance, pop melodies, and modern production with international reach.
Greg Taro: “I moved to Berlin making music in Spanish, and coming back here was the natural step for me.”
Izan Llunas, a young singer and actor from Ibiza, grew up immersed in music. Son of Marcos Llunas, who represented Spain in Eurovision 1997, Izan gained international recognition portraying young Luis Miguel in Netflix’s series ‘Luis Miguel’.
Izan Llunas: “I’ve always been surrounded by music; I was born for this. My father’s Eurovision experience wasn’t why I entered Benidorm Fest; it goes beyond that.”
Kenneth, a Spanish-Venezuelan singer, moves effortlessly between R&B, dancehall, and ballads. A finalist of ‘La Voz Kids España’, he has performed with El Combo Dominicano and Orquesta Panorama.
Kenneth: “I didn’t expect to be here; it caught me by surprise, and it’s a privilege. It’s a challenge I like, can face, and will defend with all my strength. Above all, I want to show Spain the talent in Galicia. I’m going for my goal.”
KITAI, one of the most powerful and daring Spanish rock bands, brings a live experience full of energy, punk attitude, and electric connection.
KITAI: “We come from a completely different circuit and are excited to enjoy this. We are defined by live shows, jumping, sweat, and madness. It’s a chance to bring rock and show it’s always in style. We want to leave the rock flag high, for our fellow rockers.”
KU Minerva, a pioneer of Spanish dance music since the 1990s, represents a celebration of the national dance legacy and electronic avant-garde.
KU Minerva: “After so many years, who would have thought people would know me thanks to Benidorm Fest? I approach this festival working hard to give my best and enjoy this unique opportunity.”
Luna Ki, with Cuban roots and a transgressive spirit, blends alternative pop, electronic music, and strong conceptual storytelling.
Luna Ki: “I thought about it a lot. When I received the invitation, I wasn’t expecting it, but it came at a time when I’m releasing my second album. It’s a radical change from what people saw in the first Benidorm Fest. I come to sing without autotune because this time I have a perfect song: it’s a banger.”
María León ft. Julia Medina form a charismatic Mexican-Spanish duo.
María León: “I’m ready and excited to dive into this magical adventure. I’m happy to share it with my dear Julia. This festival is a fantasy for any artist who wants to share music and expression.”
Julia Medina: “I’ve been trying for years, and I’m thrilled; thank you so much.”
MAYO, a rising star in Spanish electronic pop, combines pop, electronic, and strong aesthetic sense.
MAYO: “To show my artistic project, I can’t think of a better place than Benidorm Fest, which celebrates music and all kinds of artists. I’m excited about what I have prepared: a fun, groundbreaking, and showy MAYO.”
Mikel Herzog Jr., a Catalan singer and son of Eurovision 1998 participant Mikel Herzog, brings versatility from singer-songwriter to theatrical pop.
Mikel Herzog: “I couldn’t be happier. It means a lot to me as my first solo step with my own song. My father representing Spain in Eurovision is not pressure, it’s pride. I’ll take it as a unique and exciting experience.”
Miranda! & bailamamá celebrate music as a space of freedom and joy, combining Latin pop and experimental sounds.
Juliana: “Happy and excited to be among friends, thrilled with everything happening. We’ve known Óscar for a while, admired him, and collaborated, but never in a festival like this—it’s the opportunity.”
Ale: “We hope you like it and are surprised by our proposal. Coming from Argentina to show this makes us very grateful. We want to connect even more with the Spanish audience.”
Óscar: “I thought I’d return someday, but never imagined it would be like this.”
Rosalinda Galán brings a modern vision to Spanish folklore and copla.
Rosalinda Galán: “I had tried before, and this year I’ve insisted more with a wonderful creative and emotional team. I’ve been singing copla since I was 5 and dreaming of this moment.”
The Quinquis revitalize the 70s quinqui sound with modern electronic and funk elements.
The Quinquis: “For us, this will be a blast; words are unnecessary. We want to feel this experience fully. The Quinquis comes from mixing Camarón and Daft Punk, and we bring it to the dance floor—let’s dance!”
Tony Grox & LUCYCALYS merge flamenco, electronic, and contemporary pop.
Tony Grox & LUCYCALYS: “Electroflamenco is a concept we’ve been developing for three years, inspired by artists like Las Chuches. As a duo, we clicked: we met during another project, started listening to each other, liked it, and here we are.”
New Image and Artistic Team
Benidorm Fest 2026 also unveiled a refreshed visual identity designed by Iñaki San Juan, maintaining the festival’s festive and contemporary essence.
Sergio Jaén, artistic director, stated: “This year, we’re bringing you to Benidorm more than ever; we want the show to be infused with the city and open up everything around it.”
Borja Rueda, choreographer, added: “We can’t wait to start cooking and doing what we came to do: take the stage.”
We want to remind readers that Spain’s participation in Eurovision 2026 remains uncertain. RTVE has stated that the country will not take part if Israel is allowed to participate due to ongoing political tensions. Despite this, the Benidorm Fest 2026 will go ahead as planned, with the 18 competing artists performing and the songs being released on December 18. Should Spain participate, the winner of the festival will represent the country at Eurovision 2026.
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