The Bilbao sandy area will be filled with blues music from July 24 to 26 with the fifth edition of the Bilbao Blues Festivala free event promoted by the City Council that brings together great international figures and local talent in the summer in the capital of Biscay on its main stage.
Heading this year’s poster is Bilbao All Star Blues Bandcreated for the occasion by the legendary bassist and vocalist Bob StrogerBilbao Blues Festival award in 2022, Willie Buck (voice), Teeny Tucker (voice), Jimi Primetime Smith (guitar), Anthony Geraci (piano), Wes Starr (battery) and Bob Corritore (harmonica), with two performances on two different days, on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th. On Friday the 24th the festival will be opened by local representatives The Cherry Boppers next to Patricia Recklessa collaboration that has been captured in their latest joint album. Groups of the stature of composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist will also perform. Judith Hill, Ivan Singh and the harmonica player and singer Mark Hummelas well as the local Travellin’ Brothersback with a new album, who will receive an award for their lifetime achievement. The Arenal Kiosk will host the concerts of Blues Trainthe British vocalist, composer and guitarist Ian Siegal and self-taught multi-instrumentalist and recent Alabama Blues Hall of Fame inductee Skyler Saufleybringing different aspects of current blues closer to the public.
On the other hand, the call for the selection process for groups interested in participating in the event is open (until June 7). European Blues Challenge 2027. The four formations most voted by the Council of Advisors will go to the grand final (Volotea Blues Challenge) which will be held in Bilbao on July 26, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. In the final, the finalist groups will offer a 30-minute performance before a jury, made up of prestigious personalities from the world of blues, who will decide the winning band.
As usual, on the morning of the last day of Bilbao Blues Festivalis reserved for popular Boogie Woogie dance classes, a classic from this date; Taught by Carlos Etxebarria, from the Portugalete Swing Dance School, they begin at 11:30 and are open to all citizens.
This is how the programming looks like Bilbao Blues Festival 2026:
Friday the 24th
Keler scenario
7:00 p.m. | The Cherry Boopers and Patricia Reckless
20:45h | Mark Hummel
10:30 p.m. | Judith Hill
Saturday 25
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
11:00 a.m. | Talk about feminist pioneers
Vototea Stage (Arenal Kiosk)
12:30h | Ian Siegal Electric Band
2:00 p.m. | Blues Train
Keler scenario
7:00 p.m. | Ivan Singh
20:45h | Bilbao All Star Blues Band
10:30 p.m. | Travellin’ Brothers
Sunday 26
Vototea Stage (Arenal Kiosk)
11:30 a.m. | Boogie Woogie Classes
12:30h | Skyler Saufley
14:00 | Bilbao All Star Blues Band
