Countdown to the Benidorm Festival 2023 has begun, and fans are buzzing about the songs that could carry Spain to Eurovision glory. The national selection is almost wrapped, presenting a diverse slate that highlights Spain’s rich musical range and storytelling on the world stage. The full lineup will be available for listening next Sunday, December 18, after the Qatar 2022 World Cup final wraps up, a moment that marks a cultural shift from sports to the festive season as December heats up with music and anticipation.
During the Christmas programming reveal, public television framed the festival as a high point of the season. On Sunday the 18th, following the World Cup final between Argentina and France, RTVE Play will drop the complete set of the 18 nominated songs before any press conference and ahead of a broader streaming release on the main app. A wider audience will gain access on Monday the 19th, as availability expands across devices and regions, making the event more accessible for households across Spain and beyond.
At a media briefing on November 2, the participating artists shared the titles of their songs. The lineup includes: Quiero arder, Suffering; As long as you are, Alfred García; I would like to, Alice Wonder; Flamenco, Aritz Aren; EaEa, White Dove; Wow!, the girl group E’ffemme; La Lola, Reputed; My family, Fusa Night; Winters on Mars, José Otero; I want and mourn, Karmento; Arcadia, Megara; They can’t move us, Angels; Traction, Rakky Ripper; Air, Sharonne; What a slave tot, Side Area; Tuki, Sofia Martin; Sayonara, Twin Melody; Nochetera, Vicco. The names themselves speak to a wide spectrum of styles, from intimate ballads to upbeat anthems, all crafted to resonate with both domestic audiences and Eurovision juries alike. This moment also doubles as a showcase of emerging and established artists who are ready to carry Spain’s voice into the new year, strengthening the country’s musical identity on an international platform [Citation: RTVE, Benidorm Fest lineup coverage].
The Benidorm Fest semi-finals are scheduled for January 31 and February 2, with the grand finale set for February 4. Ticket demand for the final night has already been intense. Tickets sold out in seconds once they went live, underscoring the strong public interest in this national event and its pivotal role in selecting Spain’s Eurovision entry for the upcoming year. The rapid sell-out also reflects a broader enthusiasm for live cultural experiences that pair national pride with international competition, drawing both long-time fans and curious newcomers to the festival’s live atmosphere [Citation: live event reporting].
In response to the high demand, public television announced a special initiative offering two double tickets on several dates. These opportunities will arise during the Christmas lottery broadcast on December 22, the New Year’s Eve countdown on December 31, and the Three Kings parade on January 5. Such programs give fans multiple chances to witness the festival’s excitement first-hand, creating a shared experience that ties together Spain’s holiday traditions with the evolving music scene that connects with the national audience from December through January. This approach highlights how public broadcasting can broaden access while maintaining the festival’s sense of exclusivity and community involvement [Citation: RTVE announcements].
As the season unfolds, the Benidorm Fest occupies a growing place in Spain’s cultural calendar. The event blends national pride with a forward-looking vision for Eurovision, offering a platform where artists can introduce their music to an international audience and where listeners can discover new sounds that define the country’s contemporary pop, rock, flamenco-infused, and electronic landscapes. The timing around major holiday broadcasts and the World Cup finale further amplifies the festival’s reach, turning December and January into a vibrant window for both entertainment and national storytelling. The experience is amplified by streaming access, allowing viewers to catch performances live or on demand, and by the voice of a nation eager to celebrate its musical talents on a global stage [Citation: cultural coverage summaries].
Overall, the Benidorm Fest acts as a cultural bridge—connecting a festive season with a serious international competition. It gives Spain a clear, compelling pathway to present its latest artistic expressions to audiences at home and abroad, while inviting fans to engage with the process of selecting a Eurovision entry that could carry a piece of Spain’s musical heritage onto the world stage for the year ahead.