Villena’s music scene stays buzzing. As the capital of Alto Vinalopó, the town has just hosted a landmark show by rock legends and now shifts focus to a second major summer festival. The tailed lizard festival begins this Thursday and runs through Saturday at the municipal sports center, a venue that shares its facilities with its elder sibling. If last week drew an average crowd of about 12,000 attendees daily, the organizers anticipate this edition will surpass that figure and reach a peak on the closing day this Saturday.
With nearly six editions under its belt, tailed lizard ranks among the most popular and crowded events in Alicante province and the Valencian Community. Following the Legends left behind, this festival opens its doors to every music genre on the national stage, from pop, rock, and ska to rap, reggae, electronic music, flamenco, and singer-songwriter performances.
Musical eclectism, lively parties, and plenty of fun—Rabolagartija, as it is affectionately known, captures the idea that music should keep moving like a lizard’s tail snapping from one beat to the next. It caters to a broad audience, supports local groups, and spotlights music created by women with top-tier performances across three stages and a lineup of 55 artists and bands.
prominent groups
In its seventh edition, Rabolagartija stays true to its Valencian roots with a lineup that includes Los Chikos del Maíz, La Fúmiga, Mafalda, Ciudad Jara, Los de Marras, El Diluvi, Lèpoka, Auxili, Funkiwis, Fuckop Family, and Alademoskawithout forgetting Zoo, the band from Gandía that rose to national fame with its Valencia-based rap and became a festival headline on its own, a shift to the top of the poster and a staple of this event.
Together with them comes a diverse, danceable spectrum that spans from rock acts to reggae, with acts like Desakato, Green Valley, and Canijo de Jerez marking notable moments on the lineup. The festival also features performances by more intimate outfits such as Mr Kilombo and other artists who bring a mix of rumba, funk, and hip-hop energy to the three stages, ensuring there is something for every music lover.
Surrounded by swimming pools and campground
Both Legends del Rock and Rabolagartija unfold at Villena’s municipal sports center, a large, well-kept venue that offers more than just performance spaces. The grounds include natural grass fields, a jogging track, swimming pools, indoor lanes, and wooded areas that accommodate attendees who explore diverse food stalls and seasonal markets.
Nearby, a campsite sits just a few moments from the enclosure, covering roughly 130,000 square meters. The site is divided into paid areas that are fenced, shaded, and secure, and free zones that welcome campers and visitors arriving by car or caravan.
For more information: marked citation for event details (Source: Rabolagartija official site).