Sun, sea and fiestas! There’s no better time to see the Catalan capital than during the height of summer. Barcelona becomes a hive of activity with cultural events, music festivals and street parties popping up right across the city. Fear not, summer is most definitely not over…there’s literally something for everyone over the next couple of months. Here’s our local guide to the best events this August and September.
Sala Montjuïc
When: until 5th August
Where: Montjuïc Castle
For those of us escaping the inclement climates of northern Europe the idea of an outdoor cinema might sound crazy. That being said in recent years this trend has become a popular phenomenon and a great way to make the most of warm summer evenings here in Barcelona. Whether you fancy a blockbuster or independent movie. Sala Montjuïc has a great line up of screenings throughout the summer. Arrive early and make sure you don’t miss the live music and food trucks found in the grounds of the beautiful Montjuïc castle. Not your average cinema backdrop…
For tickets, film titles and schedule find out more here: https://www.salamontjuic.org/en/
DGTL
When : 2nd – 3rd September
Where: Parc del Fòrum 
Taking place at the incredible Parc del Fòrum, with the city skyline and mountains as the backdrop, DGTL is one of Barcelona’s top summer festivals. Bringing a taste of the Netherlands to the shores of the Mediterranean, here you will catch some of Europe’s biggest names in electronic music. The likes of Cora Novoa, Mama Snake, and Ross from friends (live), have all announced their appearance. Not only does the festival boast a great lineup and location but also incredible special effects from visuals to lighting and even considerable efforts in supporting sustainability and awareness of the impact of festivals on the environmental and social landscape.
Find out more about the line-up and festival details here: https://bcn.dgtl.nl/en
Festa Major de Gràcia
When: 15th – 21st August
Where: Gràcia
Each year the neighbourhood of Gràcia hosts to the city’s largest street festival. For a whole week from 15th August (a national bank holiday), its
narrow streets will be transformed into an explosion of a colour and an abundance of shows to celebrate the neighbourhood and its inhabitants. What’s more, all this excitement and fun is completely free! Everything from live bands to amazing handcrafted floats will be gracing the neighbourhood for an entire week. Amazingly all of the decorations are made and funded by the locals. If you want to experience the true essence of local life in Barcelona, then this is the place to head!
Find out more about the festival here: Festa Major de Gràcia
La Mercè
When: 23rd to 26th September
Where: Ciutat Vella
One of the most highly anticipated events in Barcelona’s cultural calendar, La
Mercè is a citywide festival that celebrates the end of summer. They really save the best until last! The Gothic Quarter and Plaça Jaume I are at the centre of the festivities and hold host to everything from Castellers (human towers) to homemade giants. Although it’s a 4 day affair, the main events take place over the weekend and culminate in a spectacular firework display. This is a true celebration of Mediterranean culture. Expect street art, parades, concerts and traditional dances.
You can find the full programme of this year’s events here: http://lameva.barcelona.cat/merce/en/
Leave a Reply