Santa Maria Blues 2026

Santa Maria Blues returns to Lugar dos Anjos, on Santa Maria island, from July 16 to 18, 2026, for its 22nd edition. The festival brings together North American, British, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese blues in an evening programme that strengthens the island’s place on the Azorean summer cultural calendar.

The opening night on July 16 features Sirjo Cocchi & Balta Bordoy, an Italy-Spain project, at 10:30 p.m., followed by British harmonica player and vocalist Will Wilde at 12:15 a.m. Portuguese DJs Fita Dupla close the night from 2:00 a.m., extending the programme beyond the main concerts.

On July 17, the stage welcomes the Stephen Hull Experience Band from the United States at 10:30 p.m., followed by American artist Carolyn Wonderland at 12:15 a.m. DJ Wise Guy closes the second night at 2:00 a.m., in a programme that mixes rising blues talent with established performers.

The final night, July 18, begins with John Primer & Giles Robson at 10:30 p.m., pairing Chicago blues tradition with British harmonica. The Cinelli Brothers perform at 12:15 a.m., before DJ Latenight brings the festival to a close from 2:00 a.m.

Tickets are available through Ticketline and at the festival box office. General admission is priced at 25 euros for a daily ticket and 65 euros for a three-day pass; member tickets are listed at 16 euros per day and 40 euros for the full pass, subject to the conditions set by Associação Escravos da Cadeinha.

Children up to 14 years old can enter free of charge. For residents and visitors, the event matters because it concentrates three nights of live international music on one of the archipelago’s smaller islands, supporting Santa Maria’s summer economy and adding a distinctive cultural draw to travel across the Azores.