Music Festivals and Events in Catalonia
Summer is almost here. It comes with joy, good food, and unique activities all over Catalonia. The region offers over 140 options during June, July, and August, including music festivals, gastronomic events, and religious, cultural, and traditional activities. These events are for visitors who want to discover more about Catalonia during the estival season. Here, we will present some of them.
Barcelona SónarFestival (June 15–17)
What do electronic music, sonar technology, and creativity have in common? The Sónar Festival Thousands of music fans from around the globe have attended this event for over 30 years. It has two well-differentiated locations. One is for live music concerts and multidisciplinary performances.
Another one is for creativity, technology, and digital transformation. This last one serves as a space for co-creation and meetings for professionals. This year, the activities will run through 15–17 June as Sónar by Day(all three days) and Sónar by Night(Friday and Saturday). For more information, click here
Cruïlla Barcelona Festival (July 5 to 8)
The Catalan word Cruïlla, which means crossroads, defines the spirit of this eclectic festival, born in 2005. Cruïlla Barcelona is where diverse music genres, like pop, hip-hop, indie, electronic music, or folk from around the world, meet in one place. The program includes performances, art, and comedy stand-ups. This year, Cruïlla will be held in Barcelona’s Parc del Fòrum. The visitors would also attend exhibitions by different artistic disciplines. Click here for more information.
Festival Alma Jardins Pedralbes
(July 10-27)
For the past ten years, the gardens of the Pedralbes Palace, former residence of the Spanish Royal Family in Barcelona, have been the home of the Festival Jardins Pedralbes. This year, for the first time, El Poble Espanyol de Barcelona will host the event, now renamed Alma Festival Jardins Pedralbes. The new location is in the middle of the beautiful and historic Montjuïc mountain. Visitors will enjoy the music of famous Spanish and international singers. Musicians like Mariah Carey, the Beach Boys, James Blunt, Tom Jones, and Rufus Wainwright have been part of the show since 2013. For more information, click here
Festival dels Jardins de Cap Roig
(July 14 – August 19)
Since 2001, the castle Cap Roig in Calella de Palafrugell, Girona, has been the scene of this event. It is at the top of a cliff, and visitors have magnificent views of the Mediterranean from this side of the Costa Brava. From July 14 to August 19, singers like Rod Stewart, Damien Rice, Mika, and David Bisbal will perform in the gardens of this venue. Click here for more information.
Festival Castell de Peralada (July 28 - August 5)
What better setting for a classical music festival than a medieval castle? The monumental structure of Peralada Castle in Girona, built in the 14th century, has held this music and dance festival since 1987. The activities include other styles and genres, such as jazz, pop, gospel, flamenco, theater, and family shows. Click here for more information.
International Festival de la Porta Ferrada (June 30 – August 6)
The City Hall of Cambrils, Tarragona, created this event in 1974 to promote classical music. Over the years, the organization has included other genres in the festival. The Cranberries and The Gipsy Kings have been part of the show in the past. Click here for more information.
Other must-attend events
Festival Jardins Terramar (June 28 - August 13)
This festival, celebrated for the first time in 1958, is the oldest in Catalonia. Porta Ferrada is an eclectic festival where visitors enjoy classical music, theater, dance, jazz, and other music styles. It takes place in the town of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, in the Empordà region, using venues like theEspaiPort El Festival, by the sea, theTeatre Auditori Municipal, and thetown's Gothic monastery. Find more information here 48th International Festival Música de Cambrils (July 28 - August 6)
This event has been organized once a year since 2017 in the Terramar Gardens, Sitges. The guests will attend concerts by renowned artists and enjoy gastronomic activities, dance shows theater, and painting and sculpture exhibitions. If you would like more information, please click here
Festes Majors (Traditional Summer Festival)
One of Catalonia's most significant traditional festivals during Summer. Visitors can find them in each town and even some neighborhoods across the territory. The show includes human towers, correfocs (fire runners), and sardanas (traditional dance). Although the origin is different in every case, one of the oldest is 'Festes de Sant Roc,' celebrated for the first time in 1589 in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. 'Les Santes' in Mataró, 'La Mercè' in Barcelona, 'Santa Tecla' in Tarragona, and Sitges are among the most important festes majors. Find more here Sant Joan(June 23 and 24) This open-air event marks the summer solstice and the birthdate of Saint John the Baptist in the Catholic faith. People gather to watch colorful fireworks displays across the territory and eat the special cake known as coca de Sant Joan. Cantada d'Havaneres (Habaneras Shanty Singing) The Cantada d'Havaneres in Calella de Palafrugell started in 1966 as a small gathering of singers at the Can Batlle Tavern in Costa Brava. Fifty-si years later, this event attracted thousands of people and became the biggest and most famous festival of this genre in Catalonia. The Cantada takes place on the first Saturday of July on the town’s main beaches.
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La Patum Berga Pyrenees (June 7 - 11) A Vista de Hotel(Gastronomy and Wine) Week event on the terraces of
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