Image courtesy of Portalblau Festival.
Do as the locals do this August! Escape the heat of the city by heading to the coast to enjoy some outdoor music at one of the Catalunya’s many summer festivals.
Portalblau Festival
June 18 to August 15, 2022, L'Escala, Girona Province
Portalblau Festival in L'Escala offers evenings filled with a wide range of high-quality cultural events with the participation of artists from all over the world. Music, dance, poetry and theater performances are all presented in spaces steeped in cultural and historical significance against the deep blue backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea.
Culturally and socially committed, the Festival supports emerging local artists and hosts a series of events that promote social and environmental values. This year's lineup includes Texas, Dafné Kritharas, Habla de mí en presente, Pol Batlle with Rita Payés, Stay Homas, Ara Malikian and many more.L'Escala is 145 kilometers up the coast from Barcelona, about one hour and 50 minutes by car. portalblau.cat
Vida
Vida Festival
June 30 to July 2, 2022, Masia d’en Cabanyes, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona Province
Just a short train ride down the coast from Barcelona, in the grounds of a neoclassical mansion dating back to 1574, Vida provides a dream festival landscape. Think sandy beaches, a fairytale forest and lush gardens. Soak up the sunshine with a soundtrack of local and international talent at La Daurada Beach Club by day, before heading up to the masía to enjoy the evening performances. This year’s line up includes The Avalanches, Parcels, Cat Power, Destroyer, Black Pumas, Lewis Ofman, and Balthazar to name a few.
While headliners take to the large Estrella Damm Stage, the smaller concerts take place in the enchanted forest, featuring a range of quirky stages. Among the hidden corners, which are tastefully illuminated with fairy lights and lanterns, you’ll stumble upon all sorts of happy surprises, from handmade markets to art installations and film screenings. An ideal festival for families, Vida has a large activities area for children with a program of storytelling sessions, instrument-building workshops and circus acts to keep them entertained.
Vilanova i la Geltrú is just 50 kilometers down the coast from Barcelona; it's about 45 minutes by car and one hour by train (R3) from Plaça de Catalunya. vidafestival.com
Image courtesy of Festival de Porta Ferrada.
Festival de Porta Ferrada
July 1 to August 21, 2022, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Girona Province
Named for the 10th century iron gate that once stood at the town's Benedictine Monastery, the Porta Ferrada Festival fills the streets of Sant Feliu de Guíxols with live music, theater and dance performances every summer. The program is unique for its wide range of artistic disciplines across genres; jazz, pop, rock and folk can be found alongside classical theatre, ballet and flamenco.
You can kick back and relax in the Espai Village which offers cocktail stands and food trucks as well as live performances and DJ sessions both before and after the shows. This year’s lineup includes Iggy Pop, Herbie Hancock, Nathy Peluso, Kool & the Gang, Vanesa Martín, Tanxugueiras, Gio Symphonia Quartet and many more.
Sant Feliu de Guíxols is in Girona Province, 105 kilometers up the coast from Barcelona, about one hour and 15 minutes by car. festivalportaferrada.cat
Image courtesy of Nits d’Estiu de Calella.
Nits d’Estiu de Calella
July 1 to September 2, 2022, Calella, Barcelona Province
In Calella, live music fills the air during its summer-long festival: Nits d'Estiu de Calella. With a line-up that includes well-known artists and local talent, there's something for every musical taste. The festival offers live outdoor concerts, performances and shows in various locations throughout the city. This year's agenda is being finalized and soon will be announced on the festival website.
Calella lies just over 60 kilometers up the coast; it's about one hour by car and one hour and 10 minutes by train (R1) from Plaça de Catalunya. calellabarcelona.com
Image courtesy of Festival Castell Peralada.
Festival Castell Peralada
July 8 to Aug 6, 2022, Perelada, Girona Province
Nestled in the beautiful grounds of a medieval castle, the Festival Castell de Peralada has been celebrated since 1987. Hosting large concerts in the gardens and smaller, more intimate recitals in the church and cloister, you'll find a wide range of artists performing rock, pop, ballet and opera. This year's festival opens with a double billing of the Bayerisches Staatsballett and includes performances by Pink Martini, Joan Manuel Serrat, Monica Bellucci, Josep Carreras and more.
Located 145 kilometers up the coast from Barcelona, about one hour and 50 minutes by car, the castle is also home to one of the Costa Brava’s best known wineries, a 5-star hotel with a casino and a golf course. festivalperalada.com
Image courtesy of Festival Internacional de Música Pau Casals.
Festival Internacional de Música Pau Casals
July 9 to July 22, 2022, El Vendrell, Tarragona Province
Located in the hometown of world renowned cellist, conductor and composer Pau Casals, this festival offers a classical music program with a special focus on chamber music and works for cello. Last year was its 40th edition, with the theme “Pau Casals and America,” which highlighted significant moments in Casal's relationship with the Americas. Some of the concerts are free to attend while others are €15 to €30, tickets can be purchased in advance on the festival website.
El Vendrell is 70 kilometers down the coast from Barcelona; it's about one hour by car and one hour and 15 minutes by train (R4) from Plaça de Catalunya. auditoripaucasals.cat
Image courtesy of Festival Internacional de Música de Cadaqués.
Festival Internacional de Música de Cadaqués
July 15 to 24, 2022, Cadaqués, Girona Province
This picturesque little fishing village on the Costa Brava is known mostly for having been the residence of Salvador Dalí. But every summer the Cadaqués International Music Festival also hosts an eclectic little music festival that seems to buck the popular music trends. This year is no exception with jazz, gospel, Spanish guitar and chamber music all on the program.
Cadaqués is 170 kilometers up the coast from Barcelona, about two hours by car. festivalcadaques.com
Sons del Món
Sons del Món
July 22 to August 6, 2022, Roses, Girona Province
Held in the Ciutadella in Roses, this ancient site dating back to the 4th century BCE is transformed in the summer by Sons del Món with live concerts, dance shows and theatrical performances. This year's music lineup includes American rock-folk musician Ben Harper with The Innocent Criminals, Al McKay's Earth, Wind & Fire Experience, Gipsy Kings, Sara Roy + Alvaro Soler, cover band God Save The Queen and many more.
When you're ready for a break you can head over to El Village where you'll find a selection of food trucks that offer varied products to satisfy the most demanding palates as well as cocktails, beer, and, of course, wine from the D.O. Empordà. Good wine music and food, what more could you ask for?
Roses is 160 kilometers up the coast from Barcelona, about one hour and 50 minutes by car. sonsdelmon.cat
Image courtesy of Cap Roig Festival.
Cap Roig Festival
July 22 to August 15, 2022, Calella de Palafrugell, Girona Province
Perched on the coast surrounded by natural woodlands, the Cap Roig Castle was built in 1927 as the dream home of a Russian colonel and his English aristocratic wife. Covering 17 hectares, its botanic garden is home to over a thousand plant species and is considered one of the finest in the Mediterranean. The picturesque location boasts an open-air stage, with capacity for over 2,000 spectators, providing the perfect backdrop for the Cap Roig Festival’s equally impressive line-up.
To round out your plans, consider reserving a table at the castle's Michelin star Restaurant Via Veneto. Or, if you're looking for something lighter, the Plaça del Castell has a variety of tapas, sandwiches and a special drinks selection.
The castle is 130 kilometers up the coast from Barcelona, about one hour and 35 minutes by car. caproigfestival.com
Cambrils Music Festival
Festival Internacional de Música de Cambrils
July 29 to August 7, 2022, Cambrils, Tarragona Province
The Cambrils International Music Festival has been held in this little seaside town on the Costa Dorada every year since 1974 and has become the benchmark of the Tarragona music scene. This year's festival opens with a performance by the prodigious violinist Ara Malikian. The artist of Lebanese origin and Armenian descent will present this summer The Ara Malikian World Tour, a project that he defines as “the result of watching my son grow up and of my growth by his side; an encounter with the child that I could not be and would have dreamed of being.” The program also features God Save the Queen, Rels B, Sergio Dalma, Raphael and Nathy Peluso.
If you need to recharge, the festival has a space where you can kick back while enjoying a wide gastronomic offer by Cal Blay Food Lovers, as well as live performances by local emerging artists. The festival is open daily from 19:30 to 2:00.
Cambrils is 115 kilometers down the coast from Barcelona; it's about one hour and 30 minutes by car and one hour and 30 minutes by train (R3) from Barcelona-Sants. festivaldecambrils.com
Image courtesy of Festival Torroella de Montgrí.
Festival Torroella de Montgrí
July 30 to August 21, 2022, Torroella de Montgrí, Girona Province
What began in 1981 with a small number of concerts is now a fully-grown classical music festival that takes over the medieval center of this small seaside village. Performers at the Festival Torroella de Montgrí this year include the Gerhard Quartet, Juan Pérez Floristán, the Kebyart Ensemble and the Bachcelona Consort.
Situated on the north bank of the Ter River just a few kilometers before it flows into the Mediterranean, Torroella de Montgrí is located 140 kilometers up the coast from Barcelona, about one hour and 45 minutes by car. festivaldetorroella.cat
Image courtesy of Arts d’Estiu.
Arts d’Estiu
August 3 to August 20, 2022, Pineda de Mar, Barcelona Province
ARTS d'Estiu was created in 2000 in an effort to bridge the gap between music festivals and local culture in Catalunya. Hosting a diverse lineup of artists, from Joan Manuel Serrat to India Martínez to God Save the Queen, the festival acts as a meeting ground for artists from a variety of disciplines.
If you want to take a break or just need to sneak away from the crowd for a drink and a bite, the festival also offers "El Village." There you'll find a space with a pleasant atmosphere, small-scale performances and varied gastronomic offers in a laid-back setting. It's a space to eat, drink, shop, dance and have fun, all right next to the beach.
Pineda de Mar lies just over 60 kilometers up the coast; it's about one hour by car and one hour and 15 minutes by train (R1) from Plaça de Catalunya. artsdestiu.com
Image courtesy of White Summer Festival.
White Summer Festival
August 5 to August 28, 2022, Pals, Girona Province
Held in the masía Mas Gelabert in Serres de Pals, the White Summer Festival offers culture, design, gastronomy and emerging musical talent. An array of acoustic concerts, circus acts, theater and dance shows provide entertainment for all ages and a selection of food trucks offers options for even the pickiest eater.
Pals is 130 kilometers up the coast from Barcelona, about one hour and 35 minutes by car. whitesummer.es
Updated Jun 1, 2022.