Make The Most of Your Trip to Barcelona

Barcelona walked away with the coveted World Travel Awards in 2020 as Europe’s leading festival and event destination.

The city that knows how to celebrate, and throughout the year, it plays host to a number of incredible festivals that are sure to get you in a festive mood. From music to food and everything in between, these annual festivals are not to be missed. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular festivals in Barcelona:

• Primavera Sound (late May/early June): This internationally acclaimed music festival is one of the biggest events on the Barcelona calendar. It takes place over three days in late May or early June and features a lineup of some of the world’s top alternative and indie bands. The festival takes place at Parc del Fòrum and attracts music lovers from all over the world.

• Festa Major de Gracia (mid-August): This is one of Barcelona’s biggest street parties, with the streets of the Gracia neighborhood coming alive with music, dancing, and street performers. The festival usually takes place in mid-August and lasts for about a week, with the highlight being the street decoration competition. Each street competes to see who can create the most elaborate and impressive decorations.

• Festival del Grec (July-August): The Festival del Grec is a celebration of the arts and takes place throughout the months of July and August. The festival features a wide range of performances, including music, dance, theater, and more. Many of the performances take place in outdoor venues, such as the Teatre Grec, adding to the festive atmosphere.

• La Mercè (late September): La Mercè is Barcelona’s biggest festival and takes place in late September. The festival honors the city’s patron saint and features a wide range of events, including street performances, concerts, and fireworks displays. One of the highlights of the festival is the correfoc, or fire run, where performers dressed as devils dance through the streets, setting off fireworks and spraying sparks into the crowd.

• Barcelona Beach Festival (July): This electronic music festival takes place on the beach in Barceloneta and attracts some of the biggest names in the industry. Past performers have included David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, and Steve Aoki. The festival takes place in mid-July and is a must-attend event for any electronic music lover.

These are just a few of the many festivals that take place in Barcelona throughout the year. With so much to see and do, there’s always a reason to celebrate in this vibrant and colorful city.