The annual Quejigal returns with a special Malaga twist for 2026. Benalmadena is getting ready for a night of flamenco, traditional music and dancing as the Festival Flamenco El Quejigal returns to Los Nadales on Saturday, September 12.

Now in its 23rd year, the popular festival starts at 9pm at the Recinto Ferial Los Nadales, bringing together three very different and rich sides of true Andalucian musical roots and culture.

This year’s programme features the Raices de Almogia verdiales group (highly recommended), flamenco dancer Antonio de Veronica and singer-songwriter Juanfra Carrasco.

Verdiales brings Malaga tradition to the stage

One of the biggest attractions will be Raices de Almogia, a panda de verdiales bringing one of Malaga Province’s oldest musical traditions to Benalmadena. But what is verdial? Verdiales combines music, singing and dancing and is closely linked to the real and original rural Malaga. The colourful groups traditionally perform with instruments including guitars, violins, tambourines and cymbals.

Antonio de Veronica will then take to the stage with a spectacular flamenco dance performance before Juanfra Carrasco closes the evening on a passionate high note.

The Extremaduran singer and composer is a pupil of Seville’s Triana flamenco school and has built a growing reputation on the flamenco circuit.

Free flamenco night for locals and newcomers

Previous years of El Quejigal have welcomed respected names, including singers Arcangel and Rancapino Chico, plus dancers Pepe Torres and Ana Pastrana. Benalmadena’s Culture Department works with Peña Flamenca La Repompa throughout the year on projects including Semana Flamenca and the Benalmadena Flamenco Guitar Fest to keep the original spirit alive.

Flamenco was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.

A fully-stocked bar run by the Peña Caballista will offer drinks and refreshments at popular prices during the event. Admission is free every year.

Walking Football Spain Benalmadena kicked off its ninth season on Thursday, September 3, at Polideportivo Ramon Rico, just behind Benalmadena’s bull ring. Thirty-three players aged 51 to 80 split across two pitches for a pair of morning games in the end of the summer heat. Organisers say numbers are already high for just two sessions and, so popular has the club become, they are not chasing a big membership drive at the moment.

Play for fun, not points

WFS Benalmadena stays a turn-up-and-play club. It turned down a formal league in its first year and has stuck with that choice. Last season, more than 100 people turned out at least once. A core of about 30 play regularly; others fill gaps when they can. Ages run from 50 to 83, with an average of 68. Skill and fitness levels vary and are not that important anyway, so both games are mixed to keep it even.

Monday and Thursday mornings remain some slots. Membership is open to any resident over 50. Visitors who live locally for part of the year can usually join in too. Kit is straightforward: shirt, shorts, socks, trainers and shin pads, plus a bottle of water.

Beers after the whistle

Players enjoy the hour of exercise, then linger for a couple of beers. That social side matters as much as the football. Games stay non-contact, walking-pace only, with limited touches so older joints stay happy. Changing rooms and showers sit next to a bar and restaurant on site.

Anyone interested should look at walkingfootballspain.com before turning up. Earlier EWN coverage of the same club includes its eighth-anniversary season and a feature on its older players. For the sport’s UK origins see the Walking Football Association.

Ninth season already looks busy. Two pitches, 33 lads of mixed ability, and no plans to get much bigger. Just football, a laugh, and a drink afterwards.

Benalmadena Walking Football elite. Credit: WFSB