All year round entertainment

Barcelona is the perfect destination for any kind of excursion. There is really so much to choose from and aside from the usual entertainment, barely a month goes by without some kind of major street party or outdoor event taking pace. From traditional carnival celebration to all out live music festival, and even a “music film” festival, Barcelona has it all.

So we've tried to cover the main events here but this list is by no means exhaustive. So for now check out the main dates listed here, and if festivals aren't your thing there are plenty more Barcelona highlights to explore right across this vibrant city.

image

Barcelona Carnival

February / March

The Barcelona Carnival is a major event that involves the usual carnival floats, dancers, music and costumes going on a procession through the streets. This event is celebrating the arrival of the Carnival King, and is celebrated across much of Barcelona in all the neighbourhoods.

image

Barcelona Beer Festival

March

The Barcelona Beer Festival is a 3 day affair in March and showcases various kinds of craft beer, wines, spirits, champagne and sparkling wine, but also delicatessen, oils & vinegars and so on.

image

Festa De Sant Medir

March

Candy festival!

The unique Festa de Sant Medir largely involves the random distribution of around 6 tons of candy, in one evening.

Pack extra toothpaste.

image

Primavera Sound

May

The Barcelona Primavera is one of the most respected and high profile music festivals in Europe. Every year, the festival line up boasts many top acts across all genres and tastes and incorporating both new acts and music legends.

image

Formula 1 Gran Premio de Espana Pirelli

May

Motor racing (obviously)

Only two years old, and alongside actual racing, the Formula 1 Gran Premio de Espana Pirelli offers many unique experiences for F1 fans such as racing simulators, 200 metre zip line, Pit Stop Challenges and acts from both local DJ's and live music artists.

image

Sonar Festival

June

Sonar is Europe’s biggest dance music and new media festivals and alongside Glastonbury is one of the most well known festivals in Europe. This major event is huge with over 125,000 people and as you'd expect features many top name acts and DJ's. Also, being mid summer you needn't worry too much about the weather.

image

Gay Pride

June

Barcelona Gay Pride is a huge all day event at the end of June with many stage shows, other events and activities.

image

Cruilla

July

Not quite as big as Primavera or Sonar, the Cruïlla is more suited to alternative music and indie with much smaller crowds and niche programme.

image

Monegros Desert Festival

July

The Monegros Desert Festival is something else. Not dissimilar to Burning Man in the US, the MDF (formerly known as the Groove Parade) is a world-famous electronic music festival with 20 yrs of track record.

image

Benicassim

July

The Festival Internacional de Benicàssim is a multi-genre music festival held in the coastal Spanish town of Benicàssim. This one has been going since 1995.

image

Circuit Festival

August

The Circuit Festival is another 20yr internationally reputed festival celebrating Barcelona's status as the gay capital of Europe.

image

Fiesta De Barceloneta

September

Back to the traditional street festival, Barcelona hosts the Fiesta De Barceloneta in late September and includes many activities such as Correfocs ("devil fire runs"), Sardanas auditions which are songs by habaneras, and Giant Parades with "Gegants" named Maria la Néta and Pep Barceló. This major festival is defined partly by the ornate streets and parade of cannons.

image

Fiesta de la Merce

September

Huge week long street party!

La Mercè is THE annual festival of Barcelona as a City and celebrating their official status as one since 1871. With a program of special Roman Catholic activities this one has much deeper meaning than just the usual street party.

image

In Edit Beefeater

October

“Music Film” festival

Created back in 2003 and now with more than 30,000 people attending In-Edit, this is one of Barcelona's most popular film festivals and focuses on music documentaries, with productions covering all popular genres.

So that's your Barcelona festival calendar, and as you can see Barcelona is jam packed with music, celebration and culture at all times of the year.

This makes Barcelona a great all year round option for anyone planning a stag do, hen party or group activity weekend away.