The Etnosur festival was first held in 1997 with the aim of bringing together people from all over the world, in a setting where a cultural and racial mix would be the order of the day.

The event is a meeting point for different cultures, and is aimed at adults and children alike. Festival activities take place in different parts of the town of Alcalá (Jaén province) during the day, and then at the fair/show ground at night. As well as concerts that mix the rhythms of a host of different musical styles, there are other activities such as drama performances, crafts, documentary productions, film screenings, exhibitions and a range of workshops.