Alhambra Junior International Guitar Competition (CIGAJ)
Alicante, Spain · Classical guitar competition
Alhambra Junior International Guitar Competition (CIGAJ) takes place in Alicante, Spain. It is held every year, usually in November.
- Location
- Alicante, Spain
- Type
- Competition
- Event dates
- 20 November 2026 – 21 November 2026
- Frequency
- annual
- Eligibility / age
- Guitarists of any nationality, except winners of the First Prize in the same category in previous editions. Category A: up to 14 years old; Category B: up to 18 years old; Category C: up to 24 years old. Contestants registered in each category must not have gone over the age limit as of October 23, 2026.
- Entry fee
- 30 euros
- Venue
- Óscar Esplá” Higher Conservatory of Music
- Prizes
- 1stCategory A: diploma + €150 · diploma + €100 · diploma. Category B: diploma + €250 · diploma + €150 · diploma + €100. Category C: diploma + €500 · diploma + €250 · diploma + €150.
- Special prizes
- 1stCategory A: 50% discount on Alhambra guitar
- 2nd35% discount
- 3rd25% discount. All category A winners receive RC Strings materials. Category B: 50% discount
- 2nd35% discount
- 3rd25% discount. €100 in RC Strings and masterclass scholarship at José Tomás Festival 2026
- 2nd€50 in RC Strings
- 3rd€50 in RC Strings. Category C: Alhambra Guitars Artist title, 6 international concerts, professional video recording, masterclass scholarship, 50% discount
- 2nd35% discount
- 3rd25% discount. €100 RC Strings
- 2nd€50 RC Strings
- 3rd€50 RC Strings.
Repertoire requirements
Each participant may present a free repertoire according to their category. The goal is to reward not only technique, but also expressiveness, character, and artistic personality. Performance from memory (optional in Category A) Pieces cannot be repeated between rounds Maximum durations: A: 5 min per round B: 7 min preliminary / 15 min final C: 8 min preliminary / 20 min final
Official website
https://www.fundacionalhambraguitarras.org/en/what-we-do/ciga-junior/
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Check your repertoire matchVisiting? A guitarist's guide to Alicante
Alicante, a historic Mediterranean port city and the capital of its province, is a vibrant hub on Spain's Costa Blanca. Known for its sunny beaches and rich history stretching back to Carthaginian times, it also hosts the Alhambra Junior International Guitar Competition (CIGAJ), an annual event for promising young guitarists. This coastal city offers a warm welcome, blending its ancient roots with a lively contemporary atmosphere, making it an inviting destination for any classical guitar enthusiast.
Getting there
Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC), also known as L'Altet Airport, sits just 11 kilometres south of the city centre. From there, the C6 bus offers a convenient and affordable connection, departing every 20 minutes from the departure level and reaching the city centre in about 20 minutes for €4.50. Taxis are also readily available at the arrival level, with fares typically between €20 and €25. Alicante Terminal is the city's main train station, offering high-speed AVE services from Madrid in two to two and a half hours, and connections from Valencia in under two hours. The regional Cercanías line C1 links Alicante with Elche in about half an hour and Murcia in under 90 minutes. For coastal exploration, the Tram Alicante light rail connects settlements along the coast, with Benidorm an easy and scenic ride, taking about an hour for €3.75. The main bus station, Estació Autobusos Alacant, provides extensive ALSA services to various Spanish cities.
Compare trains, buses & flights to Alicante on Omio →
Spain runs on Type F sockets, standard across most of Europe, so you will only need a travel adapter if you are coming from the UK, Ireland, or beyond Europe.
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Where to stay
As a popular tourist destination, Alicante offers a wide array of accommodation options. Basing yourself in the city's casco antiguo, the old town, or near the Explanada de España and the marina, places you within easy reach of the competition venues and the city's main attractions. Alicante is a walkable city, making it easy to explore its charming streets, historical sites, and the beachfront promenade on foot. Consider properties with views of the Mediterranean or close to the lively squares, providing a comfortable base for enjoying both the music and the coastal ambience.
What you'll hear
The Alhambra Junior International Guitar Competition (CIGAJ) showcases emerging talent across various categories. Participants present a free repertoire, with maximum durations tailored to each category, and performance from memory is optional for the youngest players. The competition culminates in several prize categories, offering diplomas, monetary awards, discounts on Alhambra guitars, and materials from RC Strings, with top winners in Category C receiving an Alhambra Guitars Artist title, international concert engagements, and professional video recordings. While no specific concerto is required, the event provides a compelling insight into the future of classical guitar.
While Alicante itself does not hold a direct historical link to a specific classical guitar composer, the city is firmly rooted in Spain, a nation whose profound musical heritage is inextricably woven with the instrument. From the early vihuela to the flourishing of the modern classical guitar, Spain has been a foundational landscape for its development, producing countless influential composers and virtuoso performers. Attending a guitar competition in this setting offers a unique opportunity to experience a living tradition within its historical homeland, connecting with the instrument's enduring Spanish spirit.
The local table
The cuisine of Alicante, like much of the Valencian Community, is rich in rice dishes and fresh seafood, reflecting its coastal location and agricultural bounty. Look for arròs a banda, a flavorful rice dish cooked in fish stock, often served with aioli, or arròs negre, a black rice specialty colored and flavored with squid ink. Being a historic port, fresh fish and shellfish are abundant and prepared simply to highlight their quality. Beyond rice, the region is known for its sweet oranges and high-quality olive oil. Enjoying these local delicacies on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean is a quintessential Alicante experience.
Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Alicante →
While you're there
Between competition rounds, Alicante offers a wealth of sights and activities. Ascend Mount Benacantil to explore the Santa Bárbara Castle, a vast medieval fortress offering panoramic views over the city, its port, and the surrounding coastline. Stroll along the iconic Explanada de España, a marble-tiled promenade lined with palm trees, or wander through the narrow, colorful streets of El Barrio, Alicante's charming old town, which climbs up towards the castle. For relaxation, the city boasts several urban beaches, including Postiguet Beach, easily accessible from the city centre, and the expansive Playa de San Juan, reachable by tram. Day trips are also rewarding: the city of Elche, about 30 minutes by train, is famous for its Palmeral, a vast palm grove designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, while Benidorm, a lively resort town, is an easy tram ride north.
Tours, tickets and day trips in Alicante →
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This map centers on Alicante in general, so the venue may be elsewhere in town. Check the competition's official website before booking.
More guitar events in Spain: Certamen Internacional Andrés Segovia · Certamen Miquel Llobet · CIGA - Alhambra International Guitar Competition · Concurso Ángel G. Piñero · Concurso Internacional de Madrid (FIGUIM) · Francisco Tárrega International Guitar Competition
Also in November: Antwerpen Gitaarfestival · Brussels International Guitar Festival and Competition · Dani Klasične Gitare (Classical Guitar Days) · Hamburger Guitar Festival · Pleven Guitar Festival
Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.