The iconic music festival of the Cantabrian region, the Santander International Festival (FIS), has confirmed it will be held in person again this 2021. With dates and the program still being finalized, the goal is to recover normality and celebrate FIS 2021 from August 3rd to 29th.
As is tradition, the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria will be the venue for the event. The FIS dates back to the mid-20th century when the need to enhance the cultural offerings for a mostly foreign audience arose. The festival has become an annual fixture as one of the highest quality music events in Spain. This summer, the 70th edition will take place.
Santander International Festival (FIS) 2021 Program
Valentina Granados, the festival’s director, has confirmed that, while the final program hasn’t been confirmed or revealed to the media, it is already very advanced. The organizing team’s goal is to raise the bar on quality once again, and this year attendees will enjoy unique concerts and performances, including a concert by the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Gimeno with Yuja Wang on the piano; the RTVE Symphony Orchestra, with David Afkham as conductor and Dymtro Choni as pianist; and the Budapest Festival Orchestra, led by Ivan Fischer.
There will also be space for dance. The show María Antonieta will be performed by the Malandain Ballet Biarritz, choreographed by Thierry Malandain; and the National Ballet of Spain will perform with various choreographies directed by Rubén Olmo.
FIS 2021 Santander and Festival Safety
After the 2020 edition of the Santander International Festival was forced to be streamed virtually due to the pandemic, this year the board and organization are fully committed to bringing the event back in person to the Cantabrian capital.
In addition to hygiene and safety measures such as social distancing, disinfection of spaces, and the use of face masks, a reduction in capacity for different concerts and activities compared to previous years is expected. The primary goal for the organization is to carry out the event with all the necessary safety guarantees for participants and attendees.
FIS Santander 2021 Activities
Alongside the main concerts and performances during the Cantabrian festival, the FIS director has also confirmed 12 concerts across the region within historical sites.
Additionally, various activities will be organized around the festival, including film screenings and music initiation workshops, bringing musical instruments closer to the festival’s audience.
Accommodation for FIS 2021 in Santander
Music festivals and concerts are the perfect excuse for a trip. If you want to attend the Santander International Festival and enjoy all the activities and concerts, we recommend taking the opportunity to stay a few days and discover (or rediscover) the city of Santander.
Silken offers two hotels in Santander:
Hotel Silken Río Santander, located right in front of El Sardinero beach and within walking distance from anywhere in the city. You’ll enjoy an authentically Santander summer with elegant rooms and unbeatable views across the city.
Hotel Silken Coliseum, a tribute to the seventh art of cinema, with a privileged location in the city’s historic center. Its modern rooms are equipped with everything you need for a simply perfect stay.
Both hotels are less than 20 minutes walking from the Palacio de Festivales, offering a pleasant stroll through the maritime area, or just 5 minutes by car for those who lose track of time discovering the charm of Santander. Discover everything you can do in Santander.
Take advantage of Silken Hotels' summer offers and get the best prices and client benefits, such as free cancellation, only on our official website. Check availability now and book before anyone else!
