The Best Events Taking Place in August in Barcelona
For anyone who is planning to visit Barcelona in August, let us guide you to the best holiday you’ve ever had with the best events going on. With high temperatures, August is a popular month for tourists. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to plan ahead, explore your options and get a feel for what’s going on. Barcelona offers an incredible nightlife, centuries of art and history, as well as mouth-watering cuisine and beautiful, endless beaches. We don’t blame you for wanting to visit, but let us guide you to experience the summer festivities in the city to make your holiday the best possible!
Music Festivals
Cap Roig Festival
In the stunning Costa Brava, the perfect place to spend a day or two away from the bustling city, you can find the Cap Roig Festival. Costa Brava is renowned for its stunning resort towns and fishing villages, as well as its beautiful beaches. The festival is held in one of the Mediterranean’s best botanical gardens, overlooking the incredible Mediterranean Sea. In 2025, it celebrates its 25th anniversary with its biggest edition yet.
Running from July 12th to August 18th, the Cap Roig Festival will feature 24 concerts, including performances by international artists like Simple Minds, James Blunt, Michael Bublé and Franz Ferdinand. This open-air festival is an ideal family activity, as it features a diverse lineup of musicians across various genres. Additionally, it also includes Cap Roig Mini on August 2nd, an area specifically designed for children’s programmes and entertainment.
Festival Mas i Mas
For live music lovers, from April 5th to September 27th 2025, Festival Mas i Mas provides everything from flamenco to classical music. They offer over 200 concerts at six classic Barcelona venues. One of their main locations is the amazing Palau de la Música, which has a beautiful exterior and jaw-dropping interior. Prepare for international artists showcasing the best jazz, flamenco, hip-hop, gospel, funk and rock! Many incredible artists and acts will be performing, such as Mar Vilaseca Quintet, Joe Lastie and Lauren Henderson, just to name a few.
CIRCUIT FESTIVAL
One of the biggest LGTBI festivities in the world, Circuit Festival, will be taking place from the 9th of August until the 17th. If you don’t already know, Barcelona is one of the best destinations in Europe for the LGTBI community, due to its close-knit connections to Sitges, which is home to some of the best gay bars, beaches and events in the world. The festivities of Circuit Festival take place in some of the best clubs in Barcelona, such as Razzmatazz, Go Beach Club, Safari, Input and more!
Street parties in Barcelona
Festa Major de Gràcia
From the 15th to the 21st of August, prepare to experience one of the most anticipated events of the year for the district of Gracia. The streets will be decorated thematically with huge, stunning murals and handicrafts, full of colour and life. You will find live music, people dancing, cheap drinks and food, as well as beautiful huge banners, giant flowers, papier mache giants and music from every direction.
Throughout the week, the streets are alive with live music, local DJs, and traditional Catalan dancing, while food stalls and pop-up bars serve tapas, street food, and refreshing drinks at affordable prices. The atmosphere is electric, with performances ranging from sardana dancers to rock bands, and cultural activities for both kids and adults. You’ll also spot giants and “castellers” (human towers), two icons of Catalan heritage, bringing history and community spirit to the forefront.
Festa Major de Sants
Beginning on the 23rd of August 2025, is the Sants festival. Similar to the Festa de Gràcia, you can expect a street full of party people, but in the Sants district. Everyone will be enjoying celebrations and dancing in the street dressed in bright and exciting colours. The streets in Sants will be decorated with colourful pieces bringing it to life. The 22 streets in this neighbourhood are all decorated with particular themes.
This festival honours Saint Bartomeu, the patron saint of Sants, who was martyred and even flayed for his beliefs. At this festivity, they will have gegants (giant figures controlled by people), castellers (human towers) and diables (people dressed as devils who set off fireworks).
Open-Air Cinema
Sala Montjuïc
When: 27th June to the 6th 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 an 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/
Diada de Sant Fèlix de Vilafranca del Penedès
Just under an hour outside of Barcelona by train, the Diada de Sant Fèlix in Vilafranca del Penedès is one of the most iconic and thrilling celebrations of Catalan culture. Held annually around August 30th, this event is the highlight of the town’s Festa Major and draws thousands of spectators.
The main attraction is the castellers, teams that build towering human structures in the town’s central square, Plaça de la Vila. It’s one of the most prestigious casteller events of the year, with top teams from across Catalonia performing their most daring formations.
Aside from the human towers, the festivities include parades, traditional dances, fireworks, and concerts in honour of Saint Felix, the town’s patron saint. Getting to Vilafranca del Penedès is simple; take a RENFE R4 regional train from Barcelona’s Sants or Plaça Catalunya station directly to Vilafranca del Penedès, a scenic journey of around 45 to 55 minutes, perfect for a cultural day trip out of the city.
Where to Stay During August Events
With so many incredible events happening across Barcelona and beyond in August, staying in the right place can make all the difference. For comfort, convenience, and a local touch, booking with AB Apartment Barcelona is an excellent choice. With a wide variety of fully equipped apartments available across the city, you can find the perfect base for any kind of trip. Whether you’re planning to explore the lively street festivals, catch live concerts, or enjoy a relaxing evening in your own private space after a busy day of sightseeing, AB Apartment Barcelona offers short and long-term stays with all the amenities you need.
