The sudden cancellation of the first day of SanSan Festival in Benicàssim (Castellón province) came as an unexpected blow to music fans and local residents. The decision was prompted by a sharp increase in wind, which posed a safety risk for guests, artists, and staff. Organizers were forced to close the venue just a few hours before opening to prevent potential accidents and damage.
According to El Pais, an emergency meeting involving municipal representatives and civil protection services took place Thursday afternoon. After discussing the current situation and considering recommendations from police and firefighters, the decision was made not to open the festival that day. Organizers stated that gusts of wind had reached a level that made it impossible to hold concerts and unsafe for people to remain on site.
Impact on attendees
Many fans were anticipating performances by Of Monsters and Men, Love of Lesbian, Siloé, León Benavente, Califato 3/4, and Rufus T.Firefly, who were scheduled to take the stage on Thursday. These concerts will now not take place, and tickets for the first day will be refunded automatically. Organizers promised to provide details soon on how multi-day pass holders can receive a partial refund for the canceled program.
SanSan Festival traditionally kicks off the music season in Spain and attracts thousands of guests from across the country. This year, preparations were complicated by the aftermath of a recent storm that damaged the venue’s infrastructure. Over three days, the festival team restored the site, working around the clock to be ready for the start. However, the weather intervened again, forcing organizers to revise the schedule.
Plans for the coming days
Organizers assure that the weather forecast for Friday and Saturday is much better, and they expect to hold the remaining two days of the festival as planned. The lineup includes performances by Rigoberta Bandini, Guitarricadelafuente, Xoel López, La Casa Azul, Chiquita Movida, La M.O.D.A., Ultraligera, Barry B, Maria Arnal, Allizz, Ángel Stanich, and Sanguijuelas del Guadiana. The SanSan Festival team promises to promptly communicate any changes should the situation shift again.
The organizers’ statement highlights that the safety of all participants and guests remains the top priority. They also expressed gratitude for the understanding and support from the public and local authorities. According to russpain.com, such decisions are becoming more frequent amid changing climate conditions in Spain, which requires organizers to respond quickly and adapt as needed.
Context and similar cases
In recent years, weather anomalies have increasingly affected the organization of mass events in Spain. In 2024, several major festivals in Catalonia and Andalusia also had to adjust their schedules due to strong winds and heavy rains. Last season, the Valencian Community already saw concert cancellations for safety reasons. Such situations highlight the importance of constant weather monitoring and close cooperation between organizers and emergency services. For many residents and visitors, these cancellations serve as a reminder of the need to consider natural risks when planning cultural events.
