New York City Center is the main stage for the 25th Flamenco Festival New York 2026. It brings the best dancers and musicians direct from Spain in the spring as they begin their tours of the Americas.
25th Flamenco Festival New York 2026
The 25th Flamenco Festival New York City Center features a Gala Flamenco with generations of greatness: Eva Yerbabuena, Manuel Liñán, El Farru, and Juan Tomás de la Molía; Estévez / Paños y Compañía performing “La Confluencia” about flamenco men; and Sara Baras celebrating her own company’s 25th anniversary with “Vuela,” a four-act tribute to guitar legend Paco de Lucía. It’s at New York City Center on the Main Stage in Midtown, Manhattan; Thursday-Sunday, February 26 to March 8, 2026. From $45.
Gala Flamenca
This is the heart of the Flamenco Festival, a showcase of all that flamenco was, is, and will become.
Directed by Manuel Liñán who also performs, Gala Flamenca features Eva Yerbabuena, El Farru, and Juan Tomás de la Molía; on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 7:30pm; on Saturday, February 28 at 7:30pm; and Sunday, March 1 at 2pm. From $45. 🇪🇸
Manuel Liñán
The show’s Artistic Director Manuel Liñán is famous for breaking flamenco’s gender boundaries. Performing in drag is cool in New York, but you can’t imagine what a big deal that is in the Latin world even today, and especially in Spain’s conservative flamenco community. Bravo!
Eva Yerbabuena
Eva Yerbabuena is “one of flamenco’s best” (The Guardian).
Farru
Farru was a member of Paco de Lucia’s legendary sextet. De Lucia was one of the most famous flamenco guitarists of all time.
Juan Tomás de la Molía
Juan Tomás de la Molía is a rising star.
Estévez / Paños y Compañía “La Confluencia”
The 2019 Spain National Dance Award-winning duo, perform “La Confluencia,” in which five dancers show the versatility of the male flamenco dancer in an exploration of flamenco’s roots; on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 7:30pm. From $45. 🇪🇸
Kíko ~ The work’s title means “flowing together.” One of the things I really like about the Latin world is the casual friendship of men. Guys you barely know treat you like a brother. We gather on the corner in the morning or evening to gossip, make fun of life, and help each other solve problems. Every region has its own style, but Latin men tend to be physically closer than American men. The Latin family is an extended family and friends are treated like family. Look for this familiarity in “La Confluencia.”
Sara Baras “Vuela”
Sara Baras, the Olivier Award-winner celebrates Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras’ 25th Anniversary with “Vuela,” a four-act tribute to flamenco guitar legend Paco de Lucía; at New York City Center in Midtown, Manhattan; from Thursday-Saturday, March 5-7, 2026, at 7:30pm, with a Sunday, March 8, 2026 matinee at 2pm. There is a pre-show flamenco dance lesson on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 6:30pm. From $45.
The work’s title may be a double-entendre referring to flying spiritually or to De Lucía’s amazing speed. The image is likely a reference to the many-handed Hindu goddess Durga who represents Shakti or divine feminine power. That’s not a stretch because the Romani people who created flamenco in Southern Spain where originally traveling court performers in Northern India, which is mostly Hindu territory.
Kíko ~ I learned something important about flamenco, performance, and life by watching Sara Baras perform at New York City Center. Humans understand each other’s emotions by subtly mimicking facial expressions. It helps us understand and helps us bond. The same process happens between a performer on stage and their audience. Artists like Sara Baras spend a lifetime practicing opening to the divine and can do it on demand. Flamenco artists call it duende, rappers call it flow. In that state of relaxed concentration, you perform beyond your normal abilities as if touched by God. Being open spiritually feels great. When Baras enters the duende on stage, her audience enters it too, and leaves talking about a great performance. Well that’s the duende, and that’s flamenco. ¡Olé!